Motor Trend

Motor Trend

2022 Kia Carnival Is Actually the Redesigned Sedona Minivan With a New Name

The 2022 Kia Carnival now has an entry on that great betrayer of future vehicle information, the U.S. Department of Energy’s fueleconomy.gov site. It confirms that the Carnival will have a 3.5 liter V-6 engine backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Oh, and it spills the beans on the 2022 Carnival’s EPA fuel-economy figures, which come in at 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, up from the 18/24/21 offered by the current Sedona’s 3.3-liter V-6.

We reached out to Kia Motors America for more information on the name change, and they had no official statement as of yet. Kia’s minivan has been known as the Carnival in the home market since its 1998 introduction, with the Sedona name used in North America, Great Britain, and a few other markets.

Frankly, we’re a bit surprised that Kia would trade the Sedona name, which

Motor Trend

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer or 2021 Jeep Compass? Pros and Cons

By Michael J. Moody 1 year ago

Chevrolet Trailblazer Full Overview

What’s more important: having actual off-road capability, or looking like you do? We’ve seen enough Jeep Wranglers on 22-inch wheels to know that true capability isn’t always why people buy SUVs—appearances matter, too. To that end, the 2021 Jeep Compass and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer seek to provide a weekend adventurer look in a subcompact package. Both crossovers’ fuel economy scores are higher than their breakover angles, but which is better off-road? Does that matter if you want a versatile, inexpensive, and stylish SUV? Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of these two small crossovers.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer: Pros Over the Compass

Fuel Economy

In most configurations, the Trailblazer ekes out a few more miles per gallon than the Compass. Chevrolet offers it with a 1.2- or 1.3-liter turbo-three engine. The smaller engine is FWD only and returns 28/31 mpg

Motor Trend

2022 Nissan Frontier vs. Old Frontier: Interior Comparison Review

By Michael J. Moody 1 year ago

Whew! Just like that, the final tendrils of the 2000s wither away from showroom floors. After 16 model years of production, the staid and stalwart Nissan Frontier pickup has been thoroughly redesigned for 2022, gussied up with new duds inside and out. While the macho Toyota-Tacoma-baiting exterior aesthetics are a handsome departure from the boring old truck, the overhauled cockpit is perhaps the most significant upgrade to Nissan’s midsize pickup truck. It’s the one area that truly shot-puts the Frontier from 2005 to 2022. Let’s take a look at what this transition between old and new looks like.

2022 Nissan Frontier Interior vs. Old: Design

Some—but not all—of the switchgear, componentry, materials, and general structure of the outgoing Frontier are likely three or four product cycles out of date, and the all-new truck brings the Frontier squarely in-line with Nissan’s latest design ethos. The inside of the 2022 truck retains

Motor Trend

2022 Nissan Frontier First Look: What’s Old Is New

By Michael J. Moody 1 year ago

That’s no bad thing, though, as Nissan’s continued to tweak the Frontier’s frame and powertrain lineup over the years. Notably, the Frontier welcomed a very new 310-hp 3.8-liter V-6 and nine-speed automatic transmission under its hood for 2020. The combo replaced the truck’s previously available 261-hp 4.0-liter V-6 and five-speed automatic gearbox, as well as the base 152-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

As expected, the outgoing Frontier’s six-cylinder engine and nine-speed transmission carry over to the 2022 model. A four-cylinder engine remains a no-show. As such, we doubt the new Frontier’s base price will come in under that of the 2021 truck’s $28,185 starting sum. Those willing to sacrifice some punch for extra cash in their pockets will have to look at other mid-size truck options such as the four-cylinder Chevrolet Colorado or Toyota Tacoma, which start at $26,395 and $25,680, respectively.

2022 Nissan Frontier: Quiet