It was not long ago when Kia changed the name of the Optima midsize sedan to an alphanumeric moniker, the “K5.” It was said to be a result of the automaker’s efforts to streamline the naming convention of its models.
Now, it appears the K5 will not be the last to adopt a new name, as a VIN decoder document published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (and shared on a Sedona forum) revealed the Sedona minivan will now be called the Carnival.
The Carnival is the model’s global moniker. The Sedona, on the other hand, is a nameplate exclusive to the United States and has been used since the minivan went on sale in America in 2002.
Aside from a new name, it also appears the model is up for a few changes. Although Kia has yet to confirm reports, the NHTSA document also listed a number of specifications for the Carnival. This includes three different trim levels—LX, EX, and SX—all of which will be offered with a front-wheel-drive and a 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine as standard equipment.
The fourth-generation minivan is expected to sport a modern style and details common in Kia SUVs such as a protruding C-pillar and a uniquely shaped center console.
Asked regarding the name change, a spokesperson for Kia told the media to “stay tuned.” More information is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
The 2022 Kia Sedona/Carnival minivan is set to go on sale at dealerships in the US by the end of the year.
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