Kia is not really looking at entering the cluttered high volumes mass market car segments, but is placing a car in segments which add brand value. Kia has already launched the Seltos SUV which is doing very well for the new entrant here in India, and now, the brand has set sight to rival the Toyota Innova Crysta. We all knew that the Kia Carnival, also known as the Sedona, will be launched in India. This new MPV will be introduced at the 2020 Auto Expo around February next year and will be positioned as a premium rival to the Toyota Innova. Rest assured, where Toyota is charging a premium just for the badge value for the Innova Crysta, the Kia Carnival will be much better equipped, efficient and probably more spacious too. The only thing Kia will have to deliver with the Carnival is long term reliability.
The top models of the Toyota Innova Crysta cost around INR 25 lakh, on-road. The Kia Carnival however will have its pricing close to INR 30 lakh, which will make it rather expensive for family audiences. Kia had already showcased the Carnival MPV at the 2018 Auto Expo in India and this is going to be the 2nd car in Kia showrooms in the months to come. Kia has worked on this people mover to meet Indian customer needs and buyers can order this huge MPV in 7-seater, 8-seater and even a 11-seater variant.
The Kia Carnival measures 5115mm in length, 1985mm in width, 1740mm in height and 3060mm in wheelbase. This is clearly bigger than the Innova Crysta by a huge margin. So although the price will be on the premium side, the Kia Carnival will offer more room for occupants. What will make it special is the sliding doors and lower access points to the cabin which could prove to be better than the Innova. The 2nd row sliding door is power operated, reducing the effort of users. Top trims are expected to come with rear seat entertainment package as well. Other features on the Kia Carnival includes electric sunroof, climate control even for the rear occupants, multiple airbags, UVO connected tech, touchscreen audio system, leather upholstery, etc.
The Kia Carnival in India is expected to be launched with a 2.2L, 4-cylinder diesel motor producing 202 HP of power and 441 Nm of torque matched to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. A manual gearbox is also expected to be launched to please the fleet buyers.
