[Kmoneynvrsleeps]

Hi all,
On kia’s trim comparison on their website, it shows the second row seats in the prestige being removable, just like all other trims. I have yet to see anyone confirm it and there are not any videos online for prestige trim. Can anyone confirm. I have a 3rd kid on the way and will have 3 under 4. Need to remove one seat to access 3rd row and I get the car in a month.

 

[cocobot]

I have the SX-P. The VIP lounge seats are not removable and they do not collapse only adjust.

 

[Kmoneynvrsleeps]

I have the SX-P. The VIP lounge seats are not removable and they do not collapse only adjust.

Thank you for your response! So having 3 car seats and needing access to third row, would you suggest I downgrade to SX?

 

[cocobot]

There's a bit more of my thoughts on that and a photo of my setup here: Center pass through for SX-Prestige

In short, the tech is way better, but there are inconveniences. Depends on where your priorities are and if you're willing to live with some inconveniences either way.

 

[UN-Limited]

...there are not any videos online for prestige trim.

Just search for 2022 carnival on YouTube. Nearly every review recorded in the past year was showing the prestige trim.

 

[Kmoneynvrsleeps]

Just search for 2022 carnival on YouTube. Nearly every review recorded in the past year was showing the prestige trim.

Ya. I didn’t see a single one showing 2nd row removal for prestige

 

[Dadillac]

Yeah I’m used to the utility of stow and go but I really liked all the extras/features/tech and lounge seats in the Canadian SX (USA prestige). It just “wowed me”. I don’t have to worry about car seats anymore but my 3 boys are on the younger side. Anyways I’m sure there will be some moments when I’ll miss the utility of stow and go or removeable seats but I’ll just rent a trailer for those few times.

Good luck with your purchase and I’m sure you can’t go wrong either way.

 

[UN-Limited]

Ya. I didn’t see a single one showing 2nd row removal for prestige

That's correct, because they're not removeable. Only the 8 seater model has that flexibility.

 

[JAYEM1309]

I recently removed the 2 lounge chairs for a camping trip so we can camp in car. It's very easy to removed only remove the 4 bolts per seat and disconnect one wire under the seats. The bolts is covered by a plastic door trim just use a tool to pop it open then you'll see the bolts. Beware the seats are very heavy to remove might need a 2nd person to help also place a rug on the door sill to prevent scratches.

Only issue is the seat rails still there can be quite troublesome to move around. I just place a heavy duty rug over it. Still looking for ways to remove the seat rails

 

[Dadillac]

I recently removed the 2 lounge chairs for a camping trip so we can camp in car. It's very easy to removed only remove the 4 bolts per seat and disconnect one wire under the seats. The bolts is covered by a plastic door trim just use a tool to pop it open then you'll see the bolts. Beware the seats are very heavy to remove might need a 2nd person to help also place a rug on the door sill to prevent scratches.

Only issue is the seat rails still there can be quite troublesome to move around. I just place a heavy duty rug over it. Still looking for ways to remove the seat rails

would love to see a pic with the seats removed..

 

[JAYEM1309]

This is our camping setup when we go camping so we don't have to bring too much things as we can sleep comfortably in the car with a air mattress.
I don't have the tools to remove the whole rails setup yet because it uses torque spec screws. Will update once I get the rails out.
A temporary solution is using an old yoga mat on top of the rails for protection then add a hard plywood laying around onto finish with the trunk mat.
1st time we actually use the 3rd row seats

 

[Phantasm22]

This is our camping setup when we go camping so we don't have to bring too much things as we can sleep comfortably in the car with a air mattress.
I don't have the tools to remove the whole rails setup yet because it uses torque spec screws. Will update once I get the rails out.
A temporary solution is using an old yoga mat on top of the rails for protection then add a hard plywood laying around onto finish with the trunk mat.
1st time we actually use the 3rd row seats

This is fantastic! What are the levers with the spring on them used for?

 

[Dadillac]

This is our camping setup when we go camping so we don't have to bring too much things as we can sleep comfortably in the car with a air mattress.
I don't have the tools to remove the whole rails setup yet because it uses torque spec screws. Will update once I get the rails out.
A temporary solution is using an old yoga mat on top of the rails for protection then add a hard plywood laying around onto finish with the trunk mat.
1st time we actually use the 3rd row seats

very cool, thanks for sharing!!

 

[JAYEM1309]

The center lever is to help slide yhe rails around.
Here's the update
I used some t55 tork to remove 4 bolts per rail total 16 bolts to remove. Then the whole rail will come out leaving a trench. I filled the trench with Styrofoam and cover it up with the cargo mat and beach mat to look better. My girls love it now and much more comfortable.
Couldn't believe how easy was it it remove and I'm sure it's the same to put back together. Just need to have the tools.

 

[Dadillac]

The center lever is to help slide yhe rails around.
Here's the update
I used some t55 tork to remove 4 bolts per rail total 16 bolts to remove. Then the whole rail will come out leaving a trench. I filled the trench with Styrofoam and cover it up with the cargo mat and beach mat to look better. My girls love it now and much more comfortable.
Couldn't believe how easy was it it remove and I'm sure it's the same to put back together. Just need to have the tools.

Wow that’s amazing. It look much better with the rails out and the styrofoam to fill the rails is a good idea. Well done.

 

[Phantasm22]

The center lever is to help slide yhe rails around.
Here's the update
I used some t55 tork to remove 4 bolts per rail total 16 bolts to remove. Then the whole rail will come out leaving a trench. I filled the trench with Styrofoam and cover it up with the cargo mat and beach mat to look better. My girls love it now and much more comfortable.
Couldn't believe how easy was it it remove and I'm sure it's the same to put back together. Just need to have the tools.

Looks amazing. What I like most about this DIY is that you’ve shown that it’s not too hard to get the seats out for when you need to haul some bulky items or just need the additional space. I also like that you’ve proven there are no concerns with the airbag or other safety sensors.

A question for you. When you removed the bolts, did you happen to use a torque wrench to get a gauge of what the torque should be on reinstallation?

 

[JAYEM1309]

Thanks for the kind words.
I didn't have a torque wrench in hand to test but my plan is to use blue loctite on all the bolts for reinstall so that will minimize the chance for the bolts to back out. Drove it around for a day and no warning lights of any sorts pop up.

 

[UN-Limited]

The center lever is to help slide yhe rails around.
Here's the update
I used some t55 tork to remove 4 bolts per rail total 16 bolts to remove. Then the whole rail will come out leaving a trench. I filled the trench with Styrofoam and cover it up with the cargo mat and beach mat to look better. My girls love it now and much more comfortable.
Couldn't believe how easy was it it remove and I'm sure it's the same to put back together. Just need to have the tools.

Great job! But I gotta be honest... that seems like a LOT of work to do when you are the type of person who needs to remove the 2nd row frequently for camping trips. Why not simply get the 8 seater and pocket the savings (both time and money)?

 

[JAYEM1309]

We don't do much camping trips but this time it'll be a 6 month travel around USA trip so it's best to just remove the 2 seats. We'll be traveling to all the national parks and other attractions. Also it seems like alot of work but to me it can be done with in 1hr as now I have all the proper tools to remove the seats and the rails. Only changes I will have to do is use other materials to fill the gaps of the rails. Other than that it's not much of a hassle compared to having to setup up tents all the time. I can literally just roll the bed up and go in minutes.

 

[dugg914]

We don't do much camping trips but this time it'll be a 6 month travel around USA trip so it's best to just remove the 2 seats. We'll be traveling to all the national parks and other attractions. Also it seems like alot of work but to me it can be done with in 1hr as now I have all the proper tools to remove the seats and the rails. Only changes I will have to do is use other materials to fill the gaps of the rails. Other than that it's not much of a hassle compared to having to setup up tents all the time. I can literally just roll the bed up and go in minutes.

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Thanks so much for all this detail. We are planning a trip out West and this will be great. Now I just need to talk my son into doing the removal....