But the most expensive model costs over $50,000.
The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival was announced just last week, but Kia hadn’t yet confirmed pricing. That’s now changed as the Korean manufacturer has confirmed pricing ranging from budget to boujie. The new Carnival, which effectively replaces the Sedona, starts at $32,100 (plus a $1,175 destination charge) for the base LX trim level, or $34,100 with an optional eight-passenger seating package. In addition to upping to seat count from seven to eight, the seating package adds SynTex seat trim, a 10-way driver’s seat with two-way lumbar, heated front seats, a leather steering wheel, and a leather gear knob.
This is a significant price increase over the Carnival’s predecessor, the Sedona, which started at $30,400. It’s worth noting, though, that the Carnival is both more powerful and efficient and still undercuts both the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna.
The upgraded EX trim starts at $37,600. It adds a power tailgate, 19-inch wheels, 12.3-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, navigation, eight speakers, one-touch windows, tri-zone climate controls, park distance warning, cyclist detection, smart cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The luxurious LX trim costs $41,100 for chrome exterior accents, roof rails, power-folding mirrors, LED fog lights, 19-inch wheels, a rear entertainment system, an eight-way power passenger seat, ventilated front seats, and a surround-view monitor.
If you want the fully-optioned SX Prestige trim, it will start at $46,100. This trim includes dual power sunroofs, full LED headlights, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, LED interior lighting, genuine leather, a heated steering wheel, and a blind-view monitor. By adding all of Kia’s available options and the destination charge, a fully-loaded Carnival costs $51,100. The SX Prestige only comes in a seven-seat VIP Lounge configuration with power controls, wing-out headrests, and leg extensions.
Eight-seater versions of the Carnival include something Kia calls “Slide-Flex.” This feature lets owners slide the second-row center seat forward to more easily access a baby or child riding in it. In its most forward position, the seat even converts into a functional table. Unlike the Toyota Sienna, the Carnival’s second-row seats are removable on all except the SX Prestige trim and the third-row seats stow into the floor.
All Carnival models are powered by a 290 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, which delivers best-in-class power and 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. Even the base LX trim comes well-equipped with safety features such as forward collision avoidance, blind-spot avoidance, and lane-keep assist. Kia says the 2022 Carnival will arrive at dealerships in the second quarter of 2021 and will be the first Kia model in the US to wear the company’s new modern logo.
