Kia Carnival

In India, the term luxury car often makes one think of a gleaming sedan or a gigantic SUV. But for those who appreciate comfort, space, and a dash of practicality with luxury, the Kia Carnival had made a niche of its own. It was the family van dream, one that provided you with lounge-like seats, acres of space, a boot spacious enough to swallow full wedding trunks, and a list of features competitive with zee Germans, all for about Rs 35-40 lakh.

Now, Kia has introduced the new-gen Carnival, and things have taken a drastic turn. The price has almost doubled. It now costs about Rs 64 lakh ex-showroom, and near Rs 75 lakh on-road. That's luxury car pricing. So, the question is, has the new Carnival become twice as good? And more importantly, can it now really compete with the experience provided by established luxury brands, particularly for those who spend most of their time sitting in the back seat? Let's find out.

• The Carnival takes on a more SUV-like design with an upright stance and a strong front fascia inspired by Kia's global SUV range.

• Up front, the fascia boasts a large 'Tiger Nose' grille that we have seen on pretty much all the Kia cars.

• Grille is complemented by vertically stacked LED projector headlamps, which make the vehicle look imposing.

• The headlamps contain four projectors with two each of low and high beams, including signature DRLs that also serve as turn indicators.

• The Carnival features a floating roof design due to blacked-out pillars and chrome window surrounds that contribute to its premium feel.

• The new 18-inch alloy wheel design looks sleek and adds to its sizeable road presence.

• This MPV is humongous! At 5.2 meters in length, it does feel like a lot of car. 

• At the rear, a connected LED taillamp arrangement and a silver wave-patterned trim panel shatter the monotony of the huge rear panel.

• Being available in merely two colours, black and white, makes it easy for the buyer to decide, but it is restrained in itself.

Design And Quality:

• The dashboard boasts a twin-screen configuration with a 12.3-inch digital driver's display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is part of a stylish dashboard.

• Soft-touch materials cover the dashboard and front door pads, while portions of hard plastics are used in areas not immediately visible.

• A tan-black interior theme looks premium and makes the overall cabin look upmarket, combined with those tan leather seats.

• The centre console has capacitive touch controls for the climate control and most important functions, which doubles up as controls for the HVAC.

• Multi-colour ambient lighting along the door and dashboard enhances the cabin experience, particularly during nighttime.

• Piano black panels are used tastefully throughout the dash and centre console, though fingerprint-prone.

Driving Position:

• Offers a 12-way powered driver’s seat with memory function and an 8-way powered co-driver’s seat, ensuring optimal comfort.

• The overall cushioning is a bit on the firmer side, making sure you get out of the car fresh after a long drive.

• The generously sized seats, while comfortable, may not hold slimmer passengers snugly during aggressive turns or sudden movements.

• Large windows and a commanding seating position provide excellent visibility, enhancing driver confidence.

• Both front and middle-row captain seats are ventilated and heated.

• Electric steering adjustment adds a premium touch and helps fine-tune the driving position further.

Passenger Comfort:

• Getting into the Carnival is easier if you opt for the side step accessory. Without it, the relatively high floor might make it a bit cumbersome for the elderly or shorter passengers.

• Second row captain seats are powered, ventilated, and heated. They slide fore and aft, recline generously, and include extendable ottomans.

• The third row is surprisingly usable for adults, especially if they’re of average or slim build. Space is generous, but the high floor means you sit knees-up. 

• Access to the third row in the Carnival is through the aisle between the captain seats, as they don’t tumble forward.

• 6-footers can sit comfortably in all three rows.

• Both rear doors are electrically operated via buttons inside the cabin, the key fob, or even gesture sensors.

• Roof-mounted AC vents in each row have dedicated vents; the system is quiet and distributes air evenly.

• Built-in manual sunshades for the second and third-row windows to help block heat and add privacy.

• Large windows and dual sunroofs give the cabin an airy feel, enhancing comfort on long drives.

Storage Options:

• Spacious cabin with great ergonomics, particularly around the centre tunnel, features ample storage, wireless chargers, and cup holders.

• Overhead storage for sunglasses and small items.

• Side compartments in the third row for storing small items.

• A cooled glovebox helps keep water bottles and snacks cool during long drives.

• There are multiple cup holders, spread across all three rows, second row occupants get in the door pocket, whereas there's a separate cubby hole for third row passengers.

• Overall, the Carnival’s cabin has cubby holes, seatback pockets, and storage under the armrest, which makes sure that you can place your knick-knacks almost anywhere, irrespective of where you are seated. 

Features:

Here’s a quick look at the features of the Kia Carnival:

• In typical Kia fashion, the Carnival is loaded to the brim with features that you would expect at this price point.

• 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, paired with a crisp 12-speaker Bose audio system, feels good to hear for all the occupants, with a good amount of bass.

• Kia Connect provides remote engine start/stop, climate control, geo-fencing, and vehicle diagnostics.

• The digital instrument cluster features various themes for the visual setting that vary according to the chosen drive mode.

• It is equipped with a three-zone climate control with separate climate zones for driver, front passenger, and rear occupants. Quite a luxury!

• Thanks to the 360-degree camera, equipped with dynamic guidelines, parking the large MPV is an easy task.

• Powered tail gate and a smart one too! Stand behind the vehicle with the key in your pocket, and the tailgate opens automatically.

• The wireless charging pad is located in the front row, with ventilation to prevent overheating of your beloved flagship smartphone.

• USB Type-C charging ports are available in all three rows, including within the seatbacks of the first row.

• The first two rows of seats are heated, as well as ventilated, as you would expect from a premium people-mover. Each has three levels for varying degrees of heating/cooling.

• There are two sunroofs on offer, making the cabin roomier. It is also voice-operated.

• The level-2 ADAS suite includes forward collision mitigation, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot view monitor, and safe exit assist.

• 8 airbags, including dual front, side, curtain, and driver knee airbags as standard.

• Blind-spot view monitor shows a video feed of the blind spot in the instrument cluster when the indicator is activated.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) combined with hill-start assist and brake assist keeps the vehicle stable under emergency situations.

• ISOFIX Mounts are available on middle-row seats for easy and safe installation of child seats.

• While the Kia Carnival has not been crash tested in India, it scored a 5-star rating in the Australian NCAP for the cars sold in the Australian and New Zealand markets.

• The 2025 Kia Carnival offers a usable boot space with all three rows upright, enough for 5 cabin-sized trolleys plus some backpacks.

• Fold-flat the third row and you get space enough to fit a full set of trolley bags (big, small and medium) plus two duffle bags or maybe haul an appliance home.

• There's additional storage under the boot floor for smaller items or tools.

• The tailgate is powered and can be operated via the key, gesture or from inside the cabin.

• The 2025 Kia Carnival is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that churns out 193 PS of power and 441 Nm of torque.

• It is paired with an 8-speed torque converter.

• This is the only engine-transmission combo available on the Kia Carnival in the Indian market.

Driving Experience:

• NVH levels could be better; engine noise is noticeable in the front, even with the music on at low volume.

• Gets you from point A to point B with minimal fuss, no drama, no surprises. Just smooth, competent driving.

• The performance is just adequate, and the oil burner has just enough grunt for city duties and confident highway cruising.

• The 8-speed automatic shifts quickly and seamlessly, whether you're accelerating hard or cruising calmly.

• Triple-digit cruising feels natural. The Carnival is most comfortable eating up miles on long stretches of tarmac.

• While the performance doesn’t excite, it doesn’t disappoint either, and is perfect for those who prefer comfort over engagement.

• The road noise combined with the Diesel clutter is especially prominent if you’re relaxing in the rear seat with your head near the wheel well.

• Being a Diesel, the Carnival does offer decent mileage, where the claimed figure stands at 14.85 kmpl. We noticed an efficiency figure close to 10-11 kmpl in the city and 12-13 kmpl on highways.

• The Carnival’s suspension setup leans towards comfort, soaking up bumps, undulations, and minor potholes with ease.

• 18-inch wheels with thick sidewalls complement the softly sprung suspension beautifully, ensuring a cushy, almost lounge-like ride.

• Low-speed ride quality is excellent, especially over level changes and speed bumps, with no nasty thuds, just smooth rebounds.

• Even after going over uneven surfaces, the cabin settles down fast, avoiding any post-bump wobble or unnecessary movement inside. 

• Given its size and height, some side-to-side body movement is inevitable, especially on broken roads or during quick lane changes, which is honestly acceptable. 

• With a 3090 mm wheelbase and 5.2 metres in length, the Carnival demands some attention when navigating narrow roads or sharp humps pretending to be mountains.

• A calm, measured driving style brings out the best from the Carnival’s ride quality, rush it, and the softness can work against you.

Kia Carnival Limousine Plus is the only variant available in India with the Kia Carnival. 

It is packed with features like:

• Second-row seats with leg support are available, offering the most luxurious experience in the cabin.

• Equipped with a dual-pane sunroof, adding to the sense of space and premium appeal.

• Comes with a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, and an electronic parking brake with auto hold, extremely useful for a car of this size.

• Includes ventilated front seats and a powered driver’s seat with memory function, boosting comfort and convenience.

• Features like a powered tailgate, UV-cut glass, wireless phone charging, and a smart air purifier all add to its upmarket appeal.

CarDekho Recommends:

It is available in only one fully loaded Limousine Plus variant. It may be pricey, but considering the sheer number of comfort, convenience, and luxury features packed in, it serves the purpose for those who want the full Carnival experience.

The Kia Carnival's latest generation remains faithful to its origins as a premium MPV, prioritising comfort, space, and smooth cruising over everything. It isn't here to excite driving enthusiasts, rather, it concentrates on executing its given function overwhelmingly well: transporting families or executives in smooth, peaceful luxury.

The interior is premium and full of thoughtful touches that really do make a difference, particularly in the second row. That clattery diesel and the sheer size of the Carnival might be small downsides, but they are overshadowed by the overall package. If you are looking for a sophisticated, no-drama people-mover with a first-class ride without a lot of fuss, the Carnival remains a compelling option, despite the premium price tag!