The Kia Carnival () is a minivan manufactured by the South Korean automaker Kia since 1998, formerly marketed as the Kia Sedona in North America and several other markets.
The first-generation Carnival was introduced in January 1998, and was marketed in a single, short- wheelbase version. Second-generation models were marketed (2006–2014) in short and long wheelbase variants. A rebadged variant of the second generation was offered in North America as the Hyundai Entourage (2007–2009). Beginning in 2010, the second-generation model received updated equipment, including Kia's corporate Tiger Nose grille, as introduced by its then-new design chief, Peter Schreyer. Kia introduced its third-generation minivan in 2014, solely in a long-wheelbase format.
The fourth-generation model was introduced in 2020, and Kia adopted the "Carnival" name in North America for the 2022 model year.
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First generation (KV-II; 1998)
The first generation model was manufactured and marketed differently for specific regions, including under a joint venture in the Chinese market with Dongfeng Yueda Kia, as well as the Naza Ria in Malaysia.
In Indonesia and the Philippines, both Carnival/Sedona names were used. Initially introduced as the Carnival in 2001, from 2003 onwards, it was renamed as the Sedona.
Markets
Australia In Australia, the Kia Carnival went on sale in 1999, with a standard 5-speed manual and 2.5 L V6 producing . A 4-speed automatic was optional. In 2001, it outsold the Toyota Tarago, becoming the top-selling minivan in the country. It was a sales leader again in 2004 and 2005 when sales peaked at 5,259 units.
Europe In Europe, the first generation was available only with Rover's 2.5 L KV6 engine 24V petrol with and Euro 2 standard emission level and the 2.9 L turbo-diesel engine with . From 2001, Kia Motors introduced the 2.5 L KV6 Euro 3 with and the 2.9 L CRDi common rail diesel engine with 144 PS.
North America In North America, the Sedona came equipped with a 3.5 L Hyundai V6 engine making and a 4-speed (later 5-speed) automatic transmission. Imported from South Korea, the first generation Sedona was little more than a nameplate-engineered Carnival II model and was offered only in an SWB format. As such, it didn’t offer equipment that many of its competitors had introduced, such as power sliding doors and liftgate, fold flat third row seating, navigation system, rear-view camera, or backup/parking sensors. Early Sedonas were rated at 15.6 L/100 km (15.1 mpg) (city) and 10.9 L/100 km (21.6 mpg) (highway), but the numbers improved slightly to 14.8 L/100 km (15.9 mpg) (city) and 9.6 L/100 km (24.5 mpg) (highway) for 2005 models.
In North America, the EX was the highest-level body style, offering cosmetic amenities like interior and exterior chrome accents, interior wood grain, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, alloy wheels, optional leather appointed seating, sunroof and DVD player.
Facelift The facelift model was first released in South Korea on 11 February 2001 as the Carnival II. In most markets, this model retained the Carnival name, while North American and some Asian markets renamed this model as the Sedona, which has been used in the United Kingdom since the pre-facelift model in September 1999. Left-hand drive models received a redesigned dashboard and door trim, while the right-hand drive models retained the previous dashboard and door trim design from the pre-facelift model.
Naza Ria
Second generation (VQ; 2005)
Kia introduced the second generation Carnival/Sedona worldwide in 2005–in short (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB) models – with a 2-inch-wider front track, 3-inch-wider rear track and reduced turning radius than the first generation. The SWB model shares its platform with the Kia Magentis – and was specially designed for the European market, where it falls in the large MPV class.
With a lighter engine, greater use of high-tensile steel in the body, and a lighter transmission and rear suspension, the second generation model weighed approximately 400 lbs less than the first generation.
In certain markets, Kia offered the minivan in both wheelbases (e.g., in North America, Australia) or in other markets, simply as the short-wheelbase configuration (e.g., UK, France). Globally, the minivan was offered with four engines as well as manual and automatic transmissions.
Equipment content varied widely by market–including such features as six airbags (front, front side and air curtain), Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS) & Brake Assist System (BAS), dual or tri-zone heating and cooling, "walk through" aisle between the front seats with fold-down tray, tilt/height adjustable steering wheel, Isofix anchor points, rear side sliding doors with "hold open" locking feature (to prevent an open door from inadvertently closing), second row power roll-down windows, third row 60/40-fold-in-floor seat (LWB only), power sliding doors and liftgate, backup sensors, and in-dash navigation.
In European and Asian markets, the SWB models offered a full range of options and available equipment, with a 2+3+2 seating configuration (an essential format in a large MPV for Europe). By contrast, in North America the SWB model was offered only in a base equipment level, with the 2+3+2 seating configuration and high-end options exclusive to LWB models.
Markets
United States Kia introduced the second-generation Sedona to the North American market at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2005 for the 2006 model year offering a single engine/transmission choice, the 3.8-litre V6 Hyundai Lambda engine with continuously variable intake valve timing and a five-speed manumatic automatic transmission.
Initially offered only in long-wheelbase (LWB) form, the short-wheelbase (SWB) model followed for the 2007 model year. Trim levels include Sedona (SWB), Sedona LX (LWB) and Sedona EX (LWB). A rebadged version of the second generation was offered from 2007 to 2009 as the Hyundai Entourage.
The van was updated for the 2011 model year with a new Tiger Nose grille and taillights, a more powerful engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, but dropped the short-wheelbase version because of poor sales.
The North American configuration earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for all seating positions in frontal and side-impact crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also rated the Sedona "Good" – its highest rating – in front, side and rear impacts. The IIHS has christened the 2006 Sedona a "Gold Top Safety Pick", making the Sedona (and the similar Hyundai Entourage) the safest minivan currently tested.http://minivans.about.com/b/a/000054.htm 2007 Top Safety Pick award winners: award criteria are tougher; SUVs eligible for first time Kia had announced that the 2012 Kia Sedona will be the last Sedona for the American market.
In May 2012, Kia said the Sedona would be discontinued in the US market after the 2012 model year, with a company spokesperson saying the company did not expect to permanently leave the minivan market.
In 2013, after one year's hiatus, Kia relaunched the Sedona in the US as a 2014 model with minor updates.
United Kingdom The second-generation Sedona was the second top-selling large MPV in the UK market, and in 2010 received a new grille, new equipment (including a reversing camera built into the rear-view mirror) and a single engine choice, a 2.2 CRDi inline-four replacing the 2.9 CRDi. The second generation was marketed in three trim levels (1, 2 and 3) with a 5-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic gearbox. Trim level 1 included air conditioning and electric windows. Trim level 2 received alloy wheels, rear parking camera with the display incorporated into the rear-view mirror, and climate control. Trim level 3 added electronic stability control, leather seats, heated front seats, power tailgate and powered folding door mirrors.
In September 2012, the Sedona was withdrawn from the UK market due to poor sales.
Australia
The second-generation Carnival went on sale in Australia in January 2006. Initially, the long-wheelbase 3.8L V6 5-speed automatic Grand Carnival was sold alongside the previous generation 2.5L V6 Carnival, until the second-generation SWB Carnival arrived in August of that year, available in both 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic, and new 2.7L V6 engine. Both models sat 8 passengers. A 2.9L turbo diesel engine was introduced in the Grand Carnival in March 2009. In June 2010, the Carnival and Grand Carnival underwent a mild facelift, the manual transmission was dropped from the SWB model, and the LWB model received a new 3.5L V6 and 6-speed automatic. In 2011, the SWB Carnival was dropped entirely, while the LWB model gained the new 2.2L "R" series diesel engine, replacing the previous 2.9L engine. The Carnival was Australia's best-selling people mover between 2007 and 2013.
Reception The Kia Sedona (Carnival) has received the 2007 MotorWeek "Best Minivan" award in its 2007 Drivers' Choice Awards and The Car Books 2007 "Best Bet" distinction. Overall, Kia models improved 22% in J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Initial Quality Study (IQS), and improved twice as much as any competitor in the last 3 years. Kia Sorento and Sedona Top Quality Index
The Kia Sedona ranked 4th the "20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure" list by Insure.com. Edmunds.com names Kia Sedona as one of the "Top Recommended" Vehicles for 2010.
Reliability In the 2007 reliability report published by TÜV, 1st generation (1999–2005) of Kia Carnival placed 113th out of 113 in the 2- to 3-year-old cars category, with a defect rate of 25.1%. In the 2008 TÜV report, 1st generation (1999–2005) of Kia Carnival placed 116th out of 116 in the same category, with a defect rate of 19.70%, and also placed 111th out of 111 in the 4- to 5-year-old cars category, with a defect rate of 27.60%. According to MSN autos reliability survey, 2006 Kia Sedona reliability rated as good, overall 5/5. It rated as "Minimal Problems", and comment as "Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs." MSN Autos use Identifix for data on all automobiles.http://autos.msn.com/home/reliability_ratingsinfo.aspx MSN Autos' Reliability Ratings Come From Experts According to MyRide.com reliability survey,http://www.myride.com/content/research/vir/index.cfm/vehicle_number_int/1026635/Action/Reliability Myride survey The MyRide Reliability Ratings are collected from visitors and past customers of Autobytel Inc.'s websites (Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com and CarSmart.com) who own vehicles from model year 2001 and newer via an online survey conducted by an independent third party. Durability scored 86 (Industrial average 80) Mechanical Quality scored 89 (Industrial average 80) The 2009 Kia Sedona's JD Power reliability score is same as the 2009 Honda Odysseyhttp://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Honda_Odyssey/2009/ 2010 Honda Odyssey and 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan.http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Dodge_Grand-Caravan/Reliability/ 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
Hyundai Entourage
From 2006 to 2009, Kia manufactured a rebadged variant of the Carnival for sister company Hyundai. Manufactured in Kia's Sohari Plant and marketed as the Hyundai Entourage', the production Entourage was shown at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2006 and went on sale in April 2006 in long wheelbase form.
The Entourage was powered by the company's 3.8 L Lambda V6, seated seven, and offered optional equipment including automatic climate control, leather seating, power sliding doors and tailgate, reverse sensors, and a six-disc in-dash CD changer.