New-Gen Kia Carnival Revealed In Full; India Launch Likely In 2022

Modern design inside and out, premium cabin and more space than before

• Fourth-gen Carnival gets a new platform and is longer and wider than before.

• Looks more modern from the outside and gets a premium cabin featuring a panoramic digital display with two 12.3-inch screens.

• It will be offered with a choice of 7-, 8- and 11-seater configurations, depending on the market.

• Engine options are a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and a new 2.2-litre diesel unit, both with 8-speed automatic transmissions.

The fourth generation of the Kia Carnival premium MPV was first unveiled in June, followed by the interior reveal soon after. Now, we have a complete look at the new Carnival which is on sale in Korea. It is expected to be launched in other global markets in the coming months while its arrival to India is likely by 2022.

The new Carnival gets a new platform and is bigger in most aspects to make it more spacious.

Kia has given the new Carnival a more premium styling than before with sharper character angles, sleek profile, imposing front-end design, and a broad presence at the rear. It even has connected tail lamps with the light bar spanning its width. The stylised C-pillar complements the modern design of the new Carnival. It also gets front and rear skid plates for a more rugged appeal like its SUV siblings.

The new-gen Carnival also gets a new-gen cabin with a panoramic display that integrates the digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen infotainment system. Both the screens are 12.3-inch displays. The infotainment system comes with connected car technology, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

The MPV also gets its long-awaited premium dashboard and a new climate control panel. The conventional drive-select lever has been replaced by a new rotary dial for the shift-by-wire transmission. It also sees the addition of a rear passenger view and talk feature that allows front occupants to check on rear occupants using a small camera linked to the central display. This takes away the need for front occupants to have to turn their heads back, away from the road, as is often the case when travelling with kids in the back seat.

Kia will continue to offer the Carnival with a choice of three or four rows of seats depending on the market for 7-, 8- and 11-seater configurations. Based on the official images, Kia will also offer it with second-row seats that can face rearward and a middle seat that can be folded up too. 

The standard 7-seat config will be offered with VIP seats in the middle row that have folding footrests and can recline a lot. The Carnival continues to get powered sliding doors for access and a powered tailgate too. In terms of storage, it has a capacity of 2,905 litres in the three-row variant with the rear seats down. If all three rows are up, the Carnival still offers a luggage space of 627 litres. The lift-over height is 26mm lower than before for easier loading.

In select markets, the Carnival’s suite of advanced driver assistance systems can include forward collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, high beam assist, surround view monitor and safe exit assist. The last one doesn’t allow the powered rear doors to open if it detects an incoming hazard. Kia will offer it with electronic stability and seven airbags as part of the safety kit.

The new-gen Carnival will be offered with three engine options depending on the market. The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine has two avatars: direct injection (GDi) and multi-point injection (MPi). In its GDi variant, the engine makes 294PS and 355Nm while the MPi one is rated at 272PS and 332Nm. The diesel option is Kia’s new 2.2-litre engine that produces 202PS and 440Nm. It gets an aluminium block and a range of updates to make it more refined, improve efficiency and reduce emissions. All the engines are only available with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of driving feel, Kia states that it has heavily reworked the Carnival’s independent suspension for better ride comfort. It also gets a motor-driven steering for faster inputs while the NVH levels have been improved with the use of new insulation material.

Also read: Kia Carnival Variants Explained: Which One To Buy?

Kia launched the third-gen Carnival MPV in India in February 2020 with just the 2.2-litre diesel engine that makes 200PS and 440Nm. It is priced between Rs 24.95 lakh and Rs 33.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The fourth-gen Carnival is expected to arrive at our shores in 2022 and would likely be priced even higher. It might even get the petrol-engine option.

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