Kia has launched its second offering for the Indian market – the Carnival MPV – at the 2020 Auto Expo. Kia Carnival prices start at Rs 24.95 lakh (ex-showroom, India) and top-off at Rs 33.95 lakh. Available with a sole diesel-automatic powertrain, the MPV can be had in three seating configurations and three trims – the entry-level Premium variant is available as a 7- and 8-seater, the mid-spec Prestige can be had in a 7- or 9-seat arrangement and the range-topping Limousine variant gets a 7-seat layout with plush ‘VIP’ second-row seats. A variant-wise break-up of prices is mentioned below:
Kia Carnival variant-wise prices (ex-showroom, India)
- Premium (7-seater): Rs 24.95 lakh
- Premium (8-seater): Rs 25.15 lakh
- Prestige (7-seater): Rs 28.95 lakh
- Prestige (9-seater): Rs 29.95 lakh
- Limousine (7-seater): Rs 33.95 lakh
The Toyota Innova Crysta diesel-automatic, for reference, costs Rs 18.22-23.02 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Then again, by virtue of being significantly larger, more powerful and better equipped, the Carnival isn’t a direct rival to the Innova.
Standard safety equipment on the Carnival includes dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Isofix child-seat mounts, rear parking sensors and a rear camera. In terms of creature comforts, the base-spec Premium covers the basics well, with projector headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, power-sliding doors, three-zone automatic climate control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, cruise control, keyless entry/go, tilt and telescopic steering and power-adjustable wing mirrors.
The mid-range Prestige variant adds electronic stability control, hill-start assist, side and curtain airbags, front parking sensors, LED projector headlamps, ice-cube LED fog lamps, a powered tailgate, a dual-pane sunroof and power-folding wing mirrors. The 9-seater version gets exclusive leatherette upholstery as well.
Befitting its name, the top-spec Limousine trim gets second-row captain seats with extendable leg support, Nappa leather seat upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. Other highlights include UVO connected car features, 10.1-inch dual rear-seat entertainment screens, an air purifier and a powered and ventilated driver's seat.
Click to take a look at all the highlights from Day 1 of the 2020 Auto Expo
As already mentioned, the Carnival can be had in three seating configurations – as a 7-seater with a 2+2+3 arrangement, as an 8-seater utilising a 2+3+3 design or a 9-seater employing a 2+2+2+3 layout with a fourth row of seats.
Powering the Kia is a BS6-compliant, 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine that puts out 200hp and 440Nm of torque through the front wheels. With transmission duties handled by a sole 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission, ARAI-rated fuel efficiency is pegged at 13.9kpl.
Bookings have officially been underway since January 21, and since then, the Carnival has bagged 3,500 orders, of which 70 percent are for the top-spec Carnival Limousine. Should the MPV sustain the initial momentum, Kia’s second model for India could be its second hit in a row.
Is the Carnival worth the splurge over the Innova Crysta? Let us know in the comments below.