Remember when minivans were so uncool that automakers tried to disguise them as SUVs, with upright noses and squared-off rear ends? Well, what goes around comes around and it looks like the next generation of the Kia Sedona, which the automaker calls a “grand utility vehicle,” is playing dress up. Kia unveiled info about its new Carnival SUV, the Korean version of its Sedona minivan.
Related: Kia Sedona Minivan Gets a Mild Redo for 2019
The model wears SUV-inspired exterior cues like a short front overhang, athletic bodyside styling, a metallic lower skid plate and large wheel arches. In front is what Kia calls a “tiger face,” which combines the headlight design and a version of the automaker’s tiger-nose grille. In back, it has a blocky shape and full-width taillights.
The Kia Sedona was last redesigned for the 2015 model year, and the current Sedona got a mild update for 2019. The front-wheel-drive minivan seats seven or eight, depending on the trim level and uses a 276-horsepower, 3.3-liter V-6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Kia released few details about the new Carnival, but said the model will go on sale in Korea during the third quarter of 2020; the minivan will go on sale in other markets as the Sedona after that.
More From Cars.com:
- Shopping for a Kia Sedona? Research One, Here
- Find a 2020 Kia Sedona for Sale Near You, Now
- Does a 3-Row SUV Really Rival a Minivan for Family Hauling?
- What’s the Best 3-Row SUV for 2020?
- Find Your Next Car
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
Source: Read Full Article