Kia Carnival MPV spotted testing in India, launch imminent

Key Highlights

• The new Kia Carnival MPV has been spotted testing on Indian roads. It is confirmed to be the facelifted model.
• The 3rd-gen version of the Carnival was discontinued in India earlier this year.
• Expect the new Carnival to be priced around Rs 40 lakh.

Last month, the facelift model of the 4th-gen Kia Carnival MPV broke cover in South Korea. The Carnival was pulled from the Indian market earlier this year, but the automaker later confirmed that it will make a return in 2024. It was unclear whether the Carnival launched in India would be the facelifted model or the outgoing version, but recent spy shots of the MPV have put a rest to this discussion. The test units of the Kia Carnival spotted in India are certainly the facelifted model. Since Kia has started testing the MPV on Indian roads, it means that its release is also imminent.

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Kia Carnival MPV: Everything you need to know

The exterior design of the new Kia Carnival is marked by new L-shaped LED headlamps that come with integrated LED DRLs. The LED tail lamps follow this design language. The new grille of the MPV is wider and gets chrome inserts. Even though the test unit of the Carnival which was spotted testing in India was draped in camouflage, its front fascia was instantly recognisable. Along the sides, the MPV gets redesigned alloy wheels but its profile remains the same. The bumper lights on the facelifted model are sleeker and the tail lamps are connected by a light bar.

Inside, the new Kia Carnival gets a new curved touchscreen infotainment system that extends up to the centre console. Covering nearly half the dashboard, this new unit comprises two 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment system. Buyers can also opt for a 14.6-inch entertainment screen for the rear seating. The new infotainment system has better support for OTA updates. Other features include a digital rearview mirror, dashboard cameras with front and rear lenses, a rotary drive selector, a heads-up display, and more.

Talking about the powertrain, the new Kia Carnival MPV is available in three engine options – a 3.5-litre petrol engine, a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid engine, and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. The 1.6-litre petrol hybrid engine is also found on the Kia Sorrento and generates a combined power output of 227hp and 350Nm of torque. While the diesel engine will certainly make its way to India, it remains to be seen whether Kia will offer the other two engines as well.

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Conclusion

The Carnival MPV has three seating options – 4, 7, and 9. The rear seat passengers get individual infotainment units which are mounted on the headrests of the front seats. Prices for the MPV are expected to start at Rs 40 lakh. Since it has no direct price rivals, the Kia Carnival will sit between Toyota’s Innova and Vellfire MPVs.

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