2021 Kia Carnival interior revealed

Two 12.3-inch screens dominate the new Kia Carnival’s dashboard; to be offered abroad in 7-, 9- and 11-seat configurations.

Published On Jul 13, 2020 11:09:00 AM

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New Kia Carnival is longer, wider and has a longer wheelbase
Two 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment
To be offered in 7-, 9- and 11-seat configurations

Having revealed its exterior design a few weeks ago, Kia has now released first pictures of the all-new Carnival’s interior, shedding light on a few key details and also confirming its dimensions.

So, what’s new about the 2021 Kia Carnival’s interior?

In one word – everything. One look at the new Carnival’s interior and you’ll know it has almost nothing in common with the insides of its predecessor. Just like it has done with the exterior, Kia has worked on lending the new Carnival’s interior – finished in beige and brown – an even more upmarket look and feel. The dashboard is all-new, and taking centre stage on the dash are two 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system. They’re designed to fit under a single piece of glass and look like one cohesive unit that sits above a chrome strip that spans the width of the dash, linking all four AC vents.

There’s unpolished wood trim on the dash, and the three-spoke steering wheel is new, too. While most functions have been integrated into the large touchscreen, there are some touch-sensitive buttons for the infotainment and climate control systems on the centre console. Also new is the dial for the Carnival’s shift-by-wire automatic transmission, which appears to have been borrowed from the Genesis G80 luxury sedan. The Carnival will also retain its dual-sunroof setup, powered sliding rear doors and multi-zone climate control.

Kia has also confirmed the new Carnival will be offered in 7-, 9- and 11-seat configurations when it goes on sale in Korea the coming months. In the pictures, Kia has showcased the 7-seat model, which features reclining captain seats with a powered legrest in the second row, screens for the second-row passengers, a storage drawer built into the rear console and USB charging ports built into the front seatbacks.

How much bigger is the new Kia Carnival than its predecessor?

Kia has confirmed the new Carnival is indeed longer by 40mm, so it measures in at 5,155mm in length. The rear overhang is longer, as is the wheelbase, which has increased by 30mm to 3,090mm, and at 1,995mm, the new Carnival is 10mm wider, too. Kia says the increase in size has helped generate more interior space, with the longer rear overhang allowing Kia to carve out more room for third-row passengers as well as the luggage space.

What about the new Kia Carnival’s engine options?

At this time, Kia hasn’t shared any powertrain details for the new Carnival, but it is expected to carry over the current model’s 2.2-litre diesel for select markets. For regions which prefer petrols, the new Carnival is expected to get the same 280hp, 2.5-litre turbo-petrol that powers the new Kia Sorento, along with a hybrid option, which will pair a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor.

When will the new Kia Carnival come to India?

The current-gen Carnival was only launched in India at the Auto Expo in February this year. However, the third-gen MPV currently on sale in India debuted globally all the way back in 2014, and is due to be replaced, with Korea set to get it first in the coming months. If you’re in India, however, don’t hold your breath for its launch, because the new Carnival is only expected to come to India by 2022.

What do you think of the new Kia Carnival’s interior? Let us know in the comments.

Also see:

2021 Kia Carnival image gallery

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