The minivan known as the Kia Sedona in the U.S. has gone by the Kia Carnival name overseas for the better part of two decades. According to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it looks like the company could be planning on bringing the Carnival name to U.S. shores, replacing the Sedona moniker, according to a post on SedonaForum.com.

The move would go toward establishing a pattern that focuses on bringing Kia branded products to the masses all under one name. Recently, the company elected to do away with the Optima badge, instead bringing the K5 midsize sedan to market in the U.S. The sedan is sold by the K5 name globally.

The K5 name badge recently replaced the Optima as Kia welcomed a new generation of midsize sedan to the U.S. market.

Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

This move is nothing new for automakers, who frequently switch up product names regionally based on how a particular word plays with local dialects. For example, the Hyundai Kona is called the Kauai in Portugal because in Portuguese, the word “cona” (pronounced the same) is slang for the female anatomy.

The 2022 model will mark the beginning of the fourth generation of the minivan in the U.S. It rides on the brand’s new midsize platform, the same that underpins the new Kia Sorento. The architecture allows the Sedona/Carnival to be more spacious and capable than before thanks to a longer and wider body.

Inside the cabin, the Sedona/Carnival has much of the same design attributes as the new Sorento as well, with SUV-like dashboard and center console styling. There’s also a long list of features including a 12.3-inch infotainment touch screen, recliner-style captains chairs in the second row, and Passenger View & Talk technology.

Redesigned 2022 Kia Sedona delivers SUV-like looks and premium appointments.
Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

The 2022 Kia Sedona/Carnival will arrive at dealerships in the U.S. later this year. Expect to see a formal announcement regarding to the name of the vehicle closer to its on-sale date, along with pricing information.