Kia Will Bring The New Carnival To India In 2022

The new model is bigger, looks more premium, and packs improved features

• The new Carnival is based on a different platform, making it longer, wider, and taller. 

• Gets a refreshed cabin with a new steering wheel, a fully digital instrument cluster, bigger touchscreen infotainment, and a new AC control panel. 

• Expected to continue with its 7, 8, and 9-seater configurations. 

• Likely to continue with the 202PS 2.2-litre diesel engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic. 

News is that the new-gen Kia Carnival could arrive in India around 2022. At the recent media roundtable, Kia India Executive Director and Chief Sales and Business Strategy Officer, Tae-Jin Park, said, “We are seriously considering what is the right time to bring the new-generation Carnival to the Indian market.” The one currently sold here is the old-gen model, which was replaced globally in July 2020.

The all-new Carnival, sitting on a new platform, is bigger than the India-spec one in all dimensions. Take a look at these figures: 

The new model gets a complete makeover with a fresh set of alloys, a revised C-pillar design, connected tail lamps, and sharper creases. The cabin also sees some significant upgrades, complete with a new steering wheel, an updated digital instrument cluster, larger touchscreen infotainment, a rotary gear dial, and a new AC control panel. 

There’s a unique rear passenger view system, which will allow front-seat occupants to check on those sitting at the back through a camera on the infotainment system. That aside, we expect more wireless chargers this time and the latest version of the UVO connected car technology. 

The Carnival will likely be available as a 7, 8, and 9-seater. Globally, the MUV is equipped with safety features like forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot detection, and highway driving assist. There’s a slender chance of these being available here as well. 

Like the outgoing model, the 2022 Carnival will likely be powered by the 2.2-litre diesel engine Paired with an 8-speed automatic), producing 202PS and 440Nm. However, the globally sold model also comes with a 294PS 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, which is unlikely to be offered here. 

The MUV currently retails from Rs 24.95 lakh to Rs 33.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), but the upcoming Carnival is expected to be priced at a premium. It will continue rivalling the top-spec variants of the Toyota Innova Crysta and serve as an alternative to the Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner.