“Great value. It's overall comfort and spacious interior is perfect for my growing family.”
2022 Kia Carnival: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2022 Kia Carnival is an all-new model that replaces the Sedona in the U.S. It brings a new name, a stronger V6, a roomier cabin, SUV-inspired styling, and broader standard safety technology.
About the 2022 Kia Carnival
All-new U.S. generation; first model year sold here as Carnival, replacing the Sedona.
Kia positions the Carnival as more than a traditional minivan: it is a family hauler with sliding doors and van-like space, but styled and marketed to feel closer to an SUV. The core appeal is easy access, flexible three-row seating, strong V6 power, broad safety tech, and a cabin that can handle kids, road trips, or cargo-duty days. For many shoppers, the Carnival’s differentiator is that it delivers real van usefulness without looking or feeling as conventional as older minivans.
Kia positions the 2022 Carnival as a family vehicle that combines minivan practicality with the boxier look of a three-row SUV. The EX pairs eight seats with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a rear cabin camera, and an intercom, while the SX adds rear entertainment and cooled front seats. The seven-seat SX Prestige focuses on comfort with second-row lounge seats, leather upholstery, Bose audio, and dual sunroofs.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
Every trim gets a new, stronger 3.5-liter V6 paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Styling
The Carnival replaces the Sedona name and adopts Kia's new logo, along with a boxier exterior designed to look more like an SUV.
Safety
The standard driver-assistance package expands to include forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping and lane-following assistance, and Safe Exit Assist.
Tech
Hands-free power sliding rear doors become standard across the lineup. Upper trims add features such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a rear cabin camera and intercom, rear-seat entertainment, and more parking-camera coverage.
Structural
The new generation is larger and provides more passenger and cargo space than the Sedona it replaces.
2022 Kia Carnival specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, GDI, 3.5 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.5 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.5 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.5 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Horsepower | 290 hp | 290 hp | 290 hp | 290 hp | 290 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 141.5 cu-ft | 141.5 cu-ft | 141.5 cu-ft | 141.5 cu-ft | 141.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in |
| Seats | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Third Row Seat | |||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Did the 2022 Kia Carnival replace the Sedona?
Yes. The 2022 Carnival replaces the Sedona in the U.S. with a new name, a fully redesigned body and cabin, and Kia's new logo.
Does every 2022 Kia Carnival have the same engine?
Yes. Every 2022 Carnival trim has a 3.5-liter V6 and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Which 2022 Kia Carnival trims seat eight people?
The LX with Seat Package, EX, and SX seat eight people. The standard LX and SX Prestige have seven-seat layouts; the SX Prestige uses second-row lounge seats with power leg rests.
What safety features are standard on the 2022 Kia Carnival?
Every 2022 Carnival has a broad driver-assistance suite that includes forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping and lane-following assistance, and Safe Exit Assist. Automatic high beams are also standard.
What distinguishes the 2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige?
The SX Prestige is the luxury-focused seven-seat trim. It has heated and ventilated second-row lounge seats with power leg rests, leather upholstery, Bose audio, dual sunroofs, a digital instrument display, and a blind-spot camera display.
2022 Kia Carnival Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2022 Kia Carnival.
4.2
2022 Kia Carnival
(200 reviews)
“Overall great family car, lots of space, comfortable seats, lots of cup holders, easy to operate. No automatic lift grate (kind of annoying), and inability to lock doors until the sliding doors shut (takes some time), sliding doors do not stop if something is in the way.”
“This vehicle will provide you and your passengers with extreme comfort and a smooth ride.”