The All-New Kia Carnival, aka Sedona, Fully Revealed

The design is SUV-inspired.
The new Sedona’s wheelbase is 30 mm longer for more interior space.
Depending on the market, it can seat up to 11 passengers!

The minivan is not dead – if anything, it’s getting bigger and better than ever. The all-new Kia Sedona features a new SUV-inspired design and a more spacious and utilitarian interior.

Interior space and versatility are a minivan’s calling card. The new 2021 Sedona is certainly about that, and on many levels. The Sedona, aka Carnival, is built on a new platform that delivers a 30 mm longer wheelbase (up to 3,090 mm) and a 10 mm wider body (up to 1,995 mm). Furthermore, overall length grows 40 mm to 5,155 mm, with a 30 mm longer rear overhang (up to 1,130 mm). These new dimensions generate up to 627 litres of trunk space behind the third row and, depending on the market, enough room for a 4th row of seats.

Seating configurations vary from seven to eleven spots. The popular 7-seater setup can include Kia’s reclining “Premium Relaxation Seat” with adjustable back-, arm- and leg-rests providing “business class” seating.

The list of connectivity and technology features in the van is as vast as its cabin. Available are a 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with voice recognition, and a new “Rear Passenger Voice Recognition” technology also lets occupants in the second-row issue voice commands to control the infotainment system.

As expected, the new Kia minivan will be available with a huge array of passive and active safety features including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and much more.

The new 2021 Kia Sedona is more SUV visually than ever and prominently features the brand’s revised tiger-nose grille. The hood is longer, the “A” pillars are more upright, and a single character line bisects the Sedona’s entire length. The bold wheel arches cover wheels 17, 18 or 19 inches in diameter, depending on trim.

Powering the 2021 Kia Sedona is a 3.5-litre GDi (gasoline direct injection) V6 that produces 290 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. There’s a non-GDI version of the 3.5-litre V6 and a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine however we’re quite confident neither will be offered in North America.

The new Sedona, according to Kia, is designed to deliver an easy-going and comfortable ride. Its new fully independent suspension for improved road holding and less noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).

The 2021 Kia Carnival/Sedona is available today in Korea and is expected to arrive in other global markets later this year.