ON SALE: Late 2005
ESTIMATED PRICE: about $20,000
BASE POWERTRAIN: 3.8 liter, 240 hp, 250 lb ft V6; fwd, five speed automatic

CURB WEIGHT: N/A

WHAT'S COOL: Kia has been keeping tabs on the main players in the minivan segment and loaded the new Sedona with the critical elements - flat-folding third-row seat; horsepower in the mid-200 range; roll down windows in the sliding doors; optional power operation for the sliding doors and liftgate; and the full complement of airbags. Even though the new Sedona is bigger than the model it replaces, Kia says the 2006 model will weigh less than its predecessor.

WHAT AUTOMAKER SAYS: "Already a popular choice for buyers looking for value, quality and safety, the completely redesigned minivan will offer more horsepower than its predecessor and will be substantially larger in all key dimensions, providing more passenger room and versatility."

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY KIA


ALL-NEW 2006 KIA SEDONA DEBUTS AT THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

Completely Redesigned Minivan Adds More Room, More Power
And More Standard Safety And Convenience Features

CHICAGO, Feb. 10, 2005 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the all-new 2006 Kia Sedona minivan at the Chicago Auto Show. Already a popular choice for buyers looking for value, quality and safety, the completely redesigned minivan will offer more horsepower than its predecessor and will be substantially larger in all key dimensions, providing more passenger room and versatility. New features found on the all-new Sedona will include a standard fold-flat-into-the-floor third-row seat and available power-sliding doors and liftgate.

The new Sedona is expected to go on sale in late 2005.

Utilizing an all-new platform, the new Sedona’s longer wheelbase and increased length
and width contribute to the minivan’s nearly 15-percent improvement in passenger room over the previous Sedona. Fresh styling cues and additional standard and available equipment were designed to bolster Sedona’s established position as a safety and value leader in the highly competitive minivan market.

“Sedona was Kia’s best-selling vehicle in 2004, and historically speaking it is an
incredibly important vehicle for the company, so we paid careful attention to every detail during its redesign to make sure this new minivan lived up to the tradition of its nameplate,” said Peter Butterfield, president of Kia Motors America, Inc. “The all-new Sedona offers considerable upgrades, not just in styling and appearance, but in practical applications such as horsepower, safety equipment and standard and available features that will make it fully competitive in the segment with such vehicles as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.”
The original Sedona went on-sale in summer 2001 and quickly gained recognition for its
tremendous value and generous list of standard comfort, convenience and safety features. In
addition to earning the Federal government’s highest safety ratings -- Five Stars -- for the driver and front- and rear-seat passengers in both frontal and side impact crash tests, the Sedona has received quite an impressive list of accolades, including:

• AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award – 2002
• Sport Truck Connection Television’s “Best Van” – 2002, 2003
• Winner, Strategic Vision Total Value Index – 2002, 2004

Safety First
Serving as Kia’s flagship safety vehicle, the original Sedona received the company’s first
Five Star crash rating for each seating position from the U.S. government. The next-generation Sedona will continue Kia’s commitment to offering high levels of standard safety equipment, including six standard airbags (dual advanced front and front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags for all three seating rows).

Sensors controlling the front supplemental restraints determine the position of the seat, whether the seat belt is buckled, whether the front passenger seat is occupied, and the severity of a frontal impact before deployment.

A four-channel, four-sensor, anti-lock brake system (ABS) is also standard. This system incorporates electronic brake force distribution (EBD), which helps to distribute braking force to all four wheels in proportion to weight shifts during cornering. The EBD adapts to individual wheel grip conditions, which helps to improve both control and stability.

Additional standard safety equipment will include a tire pressure monitoring system and active front seat headrests, while features such as an electronic stability program (ESP) and a traction control system (TCS) with brake assist will be available as part of an option package.

Enhanced Performance
With increased horsepower and torque, the all-new Sedona offers competitive power and performance in the minivan segment. Sedona’s completely new 3.8-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine is expected to generate more than 240-horsepower --a 30-percent increase over the previous powerplant -- and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. This new aluminum block engine is mated to a five-speed Sportmatic™ transmission.

Despite its increase in size, the new Sedona is expected to be significantly lighter than the previous model when compared on an equally equipped basis. With more power, less weight and a new chassis with 4-wheel independent suspension, the next-generation Sedona is designed to be more rewarding to drive than its predecessor and its competitors.

The new Sedona’s four-wheel independent suspension system is comprised of
MacPherson struts with coil springs and a stabilizer bar in the front, while the rear suspension
uses a multi-link design with coil springs and a stabilizer bar.

Stopping power has increased with the addition of a power-assisted four-wheel-disc braking system with larger diameter vented front disc brakes (11.7-in.) and solid rear disc brakes (11.9-in.).

Sedona models come with new, larger wheels and tires, including 16-inch steel wheels and 225/70 R16 tires or 17-inch alloy wheels fitted to 235/60 R17 tires.

Spacious, Adaptable and Comfortable
Competitively sized, the new seven-passenger Sedona’s generous dimensions and
unibody construction boost both passenger and luggage space, and greatly improved ride and handling. Adding to the Sedona’s space and versatility, flip and fold second row seats provide easy access to third row seating and a new, simple-to-operate 60/40 split-folding -into-the floor third row seat is standard on all models to create a larger flat cargo area when the seat is folded, and providing a large rear cargo area when the seat is deployed
Available in two trim levels -- LX and EX -- the all-new Sedona maintains Kia’s tradition
of high-value by offering a generous list standard features and amenities. Besides ABS, six
airbags and a five-speed Sportmatic™ transmission, the Sedona LX also comes with tri-zone air conditioning, sliding door power windows, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, captain’s chairs for the second row and keyless entry with an alarm system.

The Sedona EX adds a chrome grille, fog lights, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar, heated power mirrors, AM/FM/Cassette/MP3/CD stereo system, autodimming rear view mirror with Homelink, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power rear quarter glass, compass, roof rack and wood trim.

In addition to the LX and EX models’ standard equipment, the all-new Sedona will offer several option packages for maximum convenience and entertainment. These options include: leather seats with front seat heaters, seat and outside mirror memory settings for driver, backup warning system, power sliding doors, power liftgate, power adjustable pedals, power sunroof and a premium entertainment system featuring a DVD player and 11 speakers. Like all of Kia’s vehicles, the 2006 Sedona will be covered by Kia’s comprehensive 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and five years of roadside assistance.

Pricing for the all-new Sedona, which will go on sale in late 2005, will be announced closer to launch.


KIA SEDONA PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
(Final production specifications will be released closer to retail launch)

The all-new 2006 Kia Sedona is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 244-horsepower and comes with a five-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive, seven-passenger minivan will be available in two trim levels: Sedona LX and Sedona EX.
ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN
Type 3.8-liter V6, aluminum block and aluminum heads
Valve gear DOHC, four valves/cylinder
Horsepower (hp @ rpm) 240 @ 6,000 (estimate)
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) 250 @ 4,500 (estimate)
Transmission Electronically-controlled five-speed automatic, overdrive
SUSPENSION
Front Independent: MacPherson struts with coil springs, stabilizer bar
Rear Independent: Multi-link with coil springs, stabilizer bar
STEERING
Type Power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Turns-to-lock 3.51
Turning circle (curb to curb) 39.6 ft.
DIMENSIONS (in.)
Exterior:
Wheelbase 118.9
Track (front/rear) 66.3 / 66.3
Overall length 202.0
Overall width 78.3
Overall height 69.3
Ground Clearance 6.57

Interior:
Headroom (front/middle/rear) 40.9 / 39.8 / 38.3
Shoulder room (front/middle/rear) 63.2 / 65.3 / 60.5
Legroom (front/middle/rear) 41.7 / 40.9 / 34.0
Hip room (front/middle/rear) 59.2 / 65.9 / 50.1
Interior volume 172.27 cu ft
Passenger volume (front/middle/rear) 63.46 / 62.50 / 46.31 cu ft
BRAKES
Type Hydraulic, vacuum power-assisted w/ABS and EBD
Front 11.7-in vented discs
Rear 11.9-in solid discs
WHEELS & TIRES
Tires 225/70R16 T
235/60R17 T
Wheels 6.5J x 16, steel
6.5J x 17, alloy

Even though the new Sedona is bigger than the model it replaces, Kia says the 2006 model will weigh less than its predecessor.

South Korea's Kia Motors said its Carnival MPV, known as the Sedona in the U.S. and Carnival in Europe, has earned the highest possible safety ratings - five stars - for all seating positions in the latest frontal and side impact crash tests by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Carnival, which has received a five-star rating in both frontal and side impact crash tests every year since its debut in 2002, was one of only five minivans to receive NHTSA's highest rating in the most recent test, the automaker said.

The other four minivans included the Chrysler Town & Country long-wheelbase, Dodge Grand Caravan, Mazda MPV, and Nissan Quest, according to the automaker.

"We are extremely pleased to once again earn a five-star rating from the U.S. government for the Sedona (Carnival) minivan," said Peter M. Butterfield, president and CEO of Kia Motors America. "The latest five-star rating is further proof of our commitment to building high-quality vehicles with unprecedented levels of standard safety and convenience features."

Kia might call the new Kia Sedona a “Grand Utility Vehicle,” but the reality is that it’s a minivan. Does that make it uncool? Absolutely not, especially since it looks this awesome, thanks in part to an incredible headlight design. Check it out.

Jalopnik has been raving about fancy minivans for many, many years. Asia is chock-full of them, and I’ve always wondered what the hell the U.S. has been doing styling all its vans to look like weird bubbles and spaceships (okay, so I do like the GM space vans).

The elegant, current-generation Chrysler Pacifica was a huge step in the right direction, and I think the mid-cycle refresh gives that van an even classier look. I also think the 2021 Toyota Sienna looks both aggressive and elegant. Now it’s nice to see Kia is joining in on the fancy minivan fun, even if the outgoing one didn’t look too bad itself.
What you see here is actually the Kia Carnival, the Korean-market version of what is in other markets, like the U.S., referred to as the Sedona. Kia says the vehicle has some “SUV-inspired design elements,” which I guess I can see. The upright, squared-off rear profile and short-ish overhangs definitely make it look a bit SUV-ish, but the vehicle is long and features sliding doors, so it’s a minivan. There’s no way around that. But that’s okay!We need to talk about the Carnival’s headlights, because they are amazing. Kia calls the front of its new minivan the “tiger face.” It features a “tiger-nose” grille with high beams integrated into its upper outboard corners. The low beams are at the corners of the front fascia, and an LED daytime running light runs horizontally below then, then rises up to get around a turn signal lamp, flows horizontally inboard, and drops down along the outer diagonal limits of the grille. Down below all of this, outboard of the lower cooling opening and inboard of what looks like air curtain openings, are the fog lamps.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t provide you, dear readers, input from the world’s foremost expert on automotive lighting literature, Jason Torchinsky. “I think it’s very well done,” Torchinsky told me over our chatroom app, saying the front-end design “manages the complexity of modern lights without feeling overdone or too baroque like so many modern lights.”

“The distinctive DRL will be very easy to identify,” he continued, “and I think the indicator integration is good and I like that it’s visually separate even when off, which I think helps people anticipate where to look.”

“The lights are also integrated into the fascia as a whole as opposed to just being very complex units that are very visually (and literally) separate.”

In the back, there’s a huge horizontal light bar, which includes the same trapezoidal-ish shape as the daytime running lights in the front.

I asked Jason to walk me through what’s going on back here, since, again, it’d be foolish of me not to consult with a taillight expert of his prominence. (Jason refers to himself as Turn Signal Man, and I’m fairly certain he has a full, luminous costume, with cape, to go along with that title).

Jason pointed out that, down below the rear hatch, there’s not only a red reflector on the outboard side and a reverse lamp inboard, but between the two is the indicator. He says he’s not particularly fond of this setup, but notes that Hyundai and Kia seem to be into this turn signal lamp location strategy. In fact, Jason wrote a whole article about the Kona’s taillight setup, which is ridiculous, but again, this man has Turn Signal Man on his birth certificate.

“The DRL [signature] repeated back in the rear is nice, and I like the full bar,” he told me, “but I feel the indicators should be in the upper corner area.”

How does Jason know that the indicators are down below? Because he has an extremely precise internal radar that allows him to spot amber bulbs from miles away:
I feel like I’ve got a bit too far into the weeds with this whole lighting thing, but the point is that the 2021 Kia Carnival—which will hit the Korean market in the third quarter of this year—looks awesome. I hope the U.S.-market Sedona looks exactly the same as what we see here.

Information on the 2022 Kia Carnival continues to trickle out. This time we have fuel economy numbers, and they show that it's more efficient than the Sedona it will replace.

The EPA's FuelEconomy.gov website shows that the Carnival gets 19 mpg in the city, 26 on the highway and 22 combined. Those are improvements of 1 mpg in town and in combined driving, and 2 mpg for highway driving. This is made more impressive by the fact that the Carnival switches to a bigger, more powerful 3.5-liter V6. It makes 294 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque to the Sedona's 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet.

Compared to the other V6 minivans, the Carnival has nearly the same fuel economy. City and combined fuel economy is the same as the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey, though both those vans have a 2-mpg advantage on the highway. The Carnival does make more power than the Chrysler or the Honda. None of them can match the hybrid-only Toyota Sienna's 36 mpg across the board, though it also makes less power than the non-hybrid V6 vans.

We're expecting the Kia Carnival to go on sale this summer. The base price should still be around $32,000 as with the current Sedona. Those numbers and more information on features and trims should be revealed closer to the on-sale date.

Minivans are inherently boring, there’s no escaping that. But every once in a while, a disruptor appears. Kia is the latest contender with the all-new Carnival for the 2022 model year, a multi-purpose vehicle with Telluride-inspired cues that challenges the Sienna, Odyssey, and Pacifica with best-in-class horsepower, passenger room, and cargo room.

32 photos

First things first, let’s talk about the underpinnings. Based on the N3 vehicle platform of the Sorento crossover and K5 sedan, the front-wheel-drive Carnival takes its mojo from a 3.5-liter GDI engine. The free-breathing V6 delivers 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet (355 Nm) of torque at the crankshaft. An 8-speed automatic transmission and 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms) of towing capacity are also worthy of mentioning.

“A vehicle that transcends a highly traditional segment,” the newcomer offers up to 168.2 cubic feet (4,763 liters) of passenger room and 145.1 cubic feet (4,109 liters) of cargo room behind the first row of seats. The Side-Flex seating for 8-passenger versions enables multiple configurations depending on your needs, and it includes a sliding second-row center seat.

“The Kia Carnival is here to disrupt a staid segment and proves once again what is possible when conventions are shattered,” declared Sean Yoon, president and chief exec of Kia in North America. “With its SUV-like character, our new multi-purpose vehicle delivers a combination of premium design, intelligent packaging, and an abundance of innovation in safety and technology. For these reasons, the Carnival is the first vehicle to proudly wear our all-new Kia badge and is a bold signal of things to come.”

Like every self-respecting family car, the Carnival features plenty of safety nannies at no extra cost. The most comprehensive ADAS suite in the segment comes standard with forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, and so forth.

While on the subject of standard features, Kia offers power-sliding doors and 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Scheduled to arrive at dealerships in the second quarter, the Carnival will be available in four trim levels: LX, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige.

Decades ago, minivans were as American as apple pie. They dotted the landscape and countless owners loved them for their space and practicality.



However, minivans have fallen out of favor with consumers who have embraced crossovers in growing numbers. As a result, Ford and GM exited the segment and so did competitors such as Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen. Even Dodge, whose best-selling product was the Grand Caravan, waved goodbye last year.

Despite this, the minivan segment has rarely been as interesting as it is right now. The Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey were recently given a facelift, while the Toyota Sienna was redesigned for 2021. Not to be outdone, Kia has retired the Sedona and replaced it with the all-new Carnival.

Since minivans are seen as uncool, the Carnival features a crossover-inspired design and is billed as a multi-purpose vehicle that “confidently stakes the claim between proper SUV and family hauler.” Or at least that’s what Kia says.

We’ll let that slide since hatchbacks and wagons are also pretending to be crossovers. In any case, it’s hard to argue with the Carnival’s looks. This is undoubtedly one of the best looking minivans as it has a stylish face, sleek lines and upscale bodywork. On top of that, there are blacked out A-pillars, a sloping roof and a distinctive silver accent on the C-pillar.

It also features a number of crossover-inspired styling cues including plastic body cladding and satin chrome skid plates. These touches aren’t very convincing, but they’re nicely incorporated into the overall design.

Kia’s interior design team is a force to be reckoned with and they’ve impressed us once again with the Carnival. While the cabin is reminiscent of the K5, it’s more luxurious as it features higher quality materials and slick climate controls. Drivers will also find acres of gloss black plastic as well as painted, woodgrain or 3D satin chrome trim. The gloss black is a bit overdone, but the cabin feels more premium than its sticker price would suggest.

Most versions of the Carnival have analog gauges, which are separated by a small but informative 4.2-inch display. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is also available, but it’s limited to the range-topping SX Prestige.

Speaking of displays, the minivan comes standard with an 8-inch infotainment system featuring wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, most trims have a 12.3-inch infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, voice recognition technology and GPS navigation.

The larger display works well and there are dedicated ‘buttons’ to access commonly used screens such as maps, radio and navigation. The infotainment system should be familiar to Kia owners, but it has a handful of cool features including a cabin camera and an intercom.

The former shows a live video feed of the second and third row, while the latter projects your voice through the rear speakers. This means when your kids are fighting, you can see the guilty party and yell at them more effectively. When the little heathens finally fall asleep, you can use Quiet Mode to turn off the rear speakers.

While those are interesting features, the Carnival is more notable for the VIP lounge seats that come standard in the SX Prestige. They’re Maybach-style second-row seats, which are power adjustable and feature leg extensions. They also boast heating and ventilation, so passengers can sit back and relax while watching videos on the dual screen entertainment system.

Minivans are known for their spaciousness and the Carnival doesn’t disappoint as there’s plenty of room up front. The second row is impressive as well as there is 40.5 inches (1,029 mm) of legroom. While the optional middle seat is a bit tight for adults, it’s highly flexible as it slides and features a backrest with a tray as well as cup holders.

On the downside, the middle seat comes slamming down when you yank on the pull tab. If you accidentally pull it from the wrong side and get your arm caught like this reviewer, little Jimmy and Johnny might learn some new four letter words.

While I don’t envy anyone who has to remove the second-row seats on a regular basis, the third-row ones easily rise from the load floor. You simply pull up on a handle, pull back on a strap and push the seat forward.

With the rear seats in place, there are roomy accommodations for two adults or three small children. They’ll find 35.6 inches (904 mm) of legroom and enough headroom to keep this 6’ 2” writer happy.

Regardless of which row you’re in, you’ll find a USB charging port as the Carnival can be equipped with up to nine of them. The model can also be outfitted with two 110-volt outlets to power everything from refrigerated coolers to laptops.

If cargo hauling is more important than moving people, you won’t be disappointed as there’s 40.2 cubic feet (1,138 liters) of space behind the third row. Folding it down reveals 86.9 cubic feet (2,461 liters) of room and that can be expanded to a best-in-class 145.1 cubic feet (4,109 liters) by removing the second row. That’s a ridiculous amount of space and it even dwarfs the Chevy Suburban’s cargo capacity of 144.7 cubic feet (4,098 liters).

While the Carnival’s performance won’t blow you away, it features a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 290 hp (216 kW / 294 PS) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque. This narrowly edges out the Chrysler Pacifica, which has a 3.6-liter V6 developing 287 hp (214 kW / 291 PS) and the same amount of torque. The Honda Odyssey isn’t far behind as its 3.5-liter V6 has 280 hp (209 kW / 284 PS) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque, just like the others.

The engine is connected to a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to the front wheels. While a handful of minivans offer all-wheel drive, Kia believes customers looking for all-weather traction will simply buy a crossover. However, they left the door open for an all-wheel drive variant as the company is “always studying the marketplace” and “could respond accordingly” if there is enough demand.

While the Carnival isn’t a crossover, it certainly drinks like one as the van has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. That’s slightly worse than the Pacifica and Odyssey, which are both rated at 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. All three are bested by the Toyota Sienna, which uses a hybrid powertrain to return 36 mpg across the board.

The Carnival has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg), but that’s nothing to brag about as it’s matched by the Odyssey and Sienna. The Pacifica has a slight edge here as it can tow up to 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg).

Minivans aren’t known for their driving dynamics, but the Carnival isn’t a torture for enthusiasts. This can be chalked up to a variety of things including the N3 platform, which also underpins the Sorento and K5. The architecture uses hot-stamped parts and ultra-high-strength steel for increased torsional stiffness, and the end result feels pretty solid. That being said, there was a rattle coming from the rear passenger side every time I drove through my pothole-lined neighborhood.

The suspension features MacPherson struts and a multi-link rear and is unsurprisingly geared towards comfort. On smooth roads, the ride is great but things are more mixed on less than perfect pavement. A few impacts seemed a bit harsh, but the ride is reasonably comfortable without feeling floaty.

The same can be said about the steering, which is light and isn’t particularly engaging. Sport mode livens things up a bit, but you should keep your expectations in check.

When it comes time to dance, the Carnival takes corners well but the experience isn’t very rewarding. On the bright side, body roll is largely kept in check and a bit of personality shines through. The 12.8 inch (325 mm) discs at all four corners bring the van to a halt with ease. They’re stronger than they let on and the pedal has a natural feel.

Last but not least, the cabin is fairly quiet as all Carnivals are equipped with an acoustic glass windshield. The SX and SX Prestige go even further as they add acoustic glass to the front doors. That being said, wind noise makes itself known at speeds in excess of 55 mph (89 km/h).

Despite offering more cargo room than a Chevy Suburban, the Carnival LX starts at $32,100 before a $1,175 destination charge. It comes nicely equipped with LED headlights, power sliding doors and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Moving into the cabin, drivers will find a 4.2-inch LCD display in the instrument cluster as well as an 8-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other highlights include a six-speaker audio system, front and rear air conditioning, and seating for seven. Speaking of seats, there are sliding and removable second-row captain chairs as well as a split-folding third-row.

Despite its entry-level status, the Carnival LX comes equipped with an assortment of driver assistance systems including Forward Collision Avoidance, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance. It also has Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Parking Distance Warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines.

Moving up the trim ladder is the Carnival EX, which begins at $37,600. It features a lightly revised exterior with 19-inch alloy wheels and a power liftgate with a hands-free function.

The eight-seat interior is trimmed in artificial leather and features an eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support. It also has heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a tri-zone automatic climate control system, and a 12.3-inch infotainment system with GPS navigation. Drivers will also find woodgrain trim, a wireless smartphone charger, and an upgraded eight-speaker audio system. Rounding out the highlights are rear sunshades as well as the aforementioned cabin camera and intercom system.

On the safety front, there are front and rear parking sensors as well as a more advanced Forward Collision Avoidance system with cyclist detection. The model also has Highway Driving Assist and navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with a Stop & Go function.

The $41,100 Carnival SX has a more distinctive appearance as it wears a matte chrome grille, satin chrome accents, faux skid plates and roof rails. Other highlights include LED fog lights, power folding side mirrors and 19-inch alloy wheels with a black finish.

Inside, there are heated and ventilated front seats, an eight-way power passenger seat and 115V outlets. Other niceties include a rear seat entertainment system, a surround view monitor and rear parking collision avoidance.

Sitting at the top of the range is the $46,100 SX Prestige. It boasts a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a sunroof and genuine leather upholstery. This model also has a heated leather steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, a blind-spot view monitor, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system with a subwoofer.

Of course, the stand out feature is the aforementioned VIP lounge seats. While they’re certainly cool, they’re not removable and this limits the van’s usefulness.

The Carnival might be a minivan in denial, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad minivan. Quite the opposite as it’s spacious and comfortable, while offering a number of unique features. On top of that, it looks great and has an upscale interior with high-end amenities. Pricing is also competitive as it costs thousands less than the Pacifica and Sienna, and is only $10 more than the Odyssey.

At the end of the day, the Carnival is an interesting option and a big improvement over the Sedona. While it might not win over crossover fans, the competition has been put on notice.