The 2022 Kia Carnival is a brand new minivan disguised in an SUV exterior design. Does it have the one feature for which so many people are searching? It’s already receiving high praise for its functionality and comfortability on the interior. There is a rumor swirling on the internet that the Kia Carnival has an available option to seat 11 people. That makes Kia’s new minivan offering only a few seats short of being a bus. Does the 11-seater Kia Carnival really exist, and how can you get it?

The 2022 Kia Carnival can have 11 seats

The 2022 Kia Carnival is capable of having 11 seats in it however, there is one big caveat. The variant of the Carnival with 11 seats is called the Grand Carnival. Unfortunately, it is not yet available in the United States. Eleven seats come standard on the Kia Carnival in Thailand currently, and according to Kia’s website, there are dealers in Dominica offering the Grand Carnival. None are listed in the US, Canada, Mexico, or Europe. This seems like the perfect vehicle for anyone with a large family, so when can you expect it?

We’re still unsure if or when the Kia Grand Carnival will make its way into the US market. Though hopes are high, as it seems a limited release is happening, the interest is there. Many are searching for this elusive vehicle to no avail, so it appears to be a matter of time before Kia gives the people what they want.

How does the Carnival fit that many seats?

After the rear sliding door is opened, the left 2nd-row seat can be moved for easier access to the third and fourth rows. The seat can slide and tilt forward to allow people of any size to climb in and out. The center of the second and third rows contain a center “assist seat.” The assist seat can fold straight down and be folded sideways against the other seat. This creates a path in the center of the seats for someone to walk past into the rear seat rows. The assist seats can even fold flat and become a table in the middle for rear passengers.

All the seats can slide forward and back to ensure everyone has enough room for their differently-sized legs. The fourth row can be folded completely flat into the floor, so it disappears. The rear cargo space is completely unavailable when the fourth-row seats are upright. The second row can fold back flat when the seats are appropriately arranged and the headrests are detached. These ones don’t go into the floor; they simply transform into “rest mode,” which seems to be for sleeping. Kia recommends avoiding driving while the rear seats are in rest mode. The third and fourth rows can be removed, and with the second row slid to the front, the cargo space is massive.

How many passengers can fit inside a Kia Carnival?

The standard Kia Carnival is capable of seating up to eight people. Presumably, the Grand Carnival 11-seater will come in at a higher price and include minor size changes. The Carnival is also highly capable, and if 11 seats is a bit much for you, the eight-seater is more than capable. It has a luxurious and spacious cockpit, a dual sunroof option, a V6 engine, and plenty of safety features. All these combined make the Kia Carnival an excellent choice for your next minivan or SUV replacement.

The answer to the question “does the Kia Carnival really have 11 seats?’ is an easy one. The answer is yes, but it’s a bit more complicated. The Grand Carnival is unavailable in most areas and is the only way to get 11 seats in the Kia Carnival. This variant will likely come to the US market sometime soon, but as for when, we do not know. If Kia makes an official announcement, we think it’ll include the Grand Carnival’s US market status.