In the thrilling world of minivans, few things get the blood flowing quite like a well-sorted Kia Sedona. This Korean minivan, which Kia itself calls a 'Grand Utility Vehicle' has seen some impressive updates for 2021, and in August of 2020, the next-generation Sedona was revealed, which is only set to arrive on US shores in 2022. The Sedona, which is based on Kia's midsize platform, is a good looking van and now features shorter overhangs and a longer hood. We recently reported that this minivan would be getting a name change, and those whispers have now been confirmed in an official VIN decoder: the Sedona will, from 2022, be known as the Carnival.

Sedona Forum user 'Van Man' recently posted the official VIN decoder for the 2022 Carnival as released by the NHTSA, confirming the new name once and for all. In the official documentation, Ric Willard, vehicle Certification and Compliance Department head for the Hyundai America Technical center says " Pursuant to 49 CFR 565, and on behalf of Hyundai Motor Group, Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center, Inc. ("HATCI") is submitting a V.I.N. Decoding Guide for the following 2022 model year vehicle: 2022MY Kia Carnival."

Upon closer inspection, the decoder reveals trim names such as the LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige, and also mentions a 'Wagon 4x2 Cls-E and Cls-D'.

The name change is most likely a move to present a more unified global product offering. The new Carnival will look vastly different from the current car, partly thanks to new exterior styling details, including a new 'Tiger Nose' grille and blacked-out A- and B-pillars, and the interior is expected to feature a dual-screen display. While engine choices have not been announced, we expect to see Kia's 3.5-liter GDi V6 under the hood, with a healthy 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque on tap. The name change from Sedona to Carnival might not be the most riveting news, but the upcoming car certainly is.