Kia Carnival: When you think of big family vehicles, luxury and space usually come at the expense of driving joy, or intelligent features. But the Kia Carnival wants to crush that perception.
From the time it was launched in India, the Carnival has had itself placed in its own little space in the MPV segment – that of a people-mover that appeals to your sophisticated sense of premiumness, almost blended into that of a premium SUV.
The Carnival is much more than a van—it’s plush and spacious, boasts leading tech, and is more powerful and comfortable over the long haul.
It’s certainly not a car for the masses, but those who are interested in soft leather and fancy knobs without stepping into the pricy world of German makes.
Its Premium Looks Give a Commanding Presence on the Road
From the outside, the Kia Carnival isn’t a show off, but it certainly presents itself well on the road. Its long body, wide stance and slick front grille make it appear mentally mature and dignified.
Mounting versions have reached global markets now — with full-LED headlamps, floating roof layout and aggressive alloy wheels — the Carnival is inching towards the SUV territory when it comes to appearance.
With its sliding doors, high roofline and huge glass area, it has that familiar MPV shape, although Kia has worked hard to disguise the bulk with clean lines and subtle chrome work.
Inside: Space, with Comfort, Rolled with Luxury
Get insde and it’s easy to see why the Carnival is often described as a ‘limo on wheels’.
The cabin is roomy, open and designed to be comfortable. In certain variants the Carnival is available in several seating formats – 7-seater, 8-seater and even a VIP 6-seater format with ottoman-style captain seats in the middle row.
Quality materials, soft-touch surfaces and the sort of attention to detail that makes it all genuinely upscale.
The centre console gets a big touchscreen infotainment system with and also gets Android Auto, Apple CarPlay as well and a digital instrument cluster in the top-spec versions.
Notable features also include:
Tri-zone climate control
Screens in rear of front head restrains
Powered tailgate and doors
Ventilated front seats
Wireless phone charging
Be you the driver or a passenger reclining in the second row, the Carnival is all about comfort without compromise.
Engine and Performance, Strengths and Weaknesses Smooth and capable
The Kia Carnival in India is powered by a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
This motor does 200 PS and 440 Nm of torque and that is a lot to muscle something as large as this MPV easily — even if you get it completely loaded!
Out on the highway, the Carnival wafts along with a well-planted ride and strong sound insulation.
Although it’s not designed for aggressive driving, overtaking and cruising at high speed are easily accomplished.
Ride is plush too and the suspension gobbles up potholes and broken patches, which is great considering Indian road conditions.
Ahead and beyond, it’s quite a beast to manage in tight urban confines, ie the front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera and 360-degree view system help a bit.
Safety First
Kia hasn’t scrimped on the safety. The Carnival is also available with:
6 airbags
ABS with EBD
ESCESC346711The term ESC (Electronic Stability Control) has many other names.
Hill-start assist
ISOFIX child seat mounts
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
Its high-spec versions in the international markets also get more ADAS features which might come as options in the Indian versions as well later.
Pros:
Large and very comfortable cabin
High-tech features and upscale touches
Great diesel that goes as smooth as it is strong
Perfect for long distance family travels
Great ride comfort and highway manners
Cons:
Not a lot of fun in the city due to its size
There’s no petrol or hybrid option so far
Not a proper SUV – not much ground clearance
costs as much as premium luxury SUVs
No AWD or ability to go off-road.
Kia Carnival: Conclusion
The Kia Carnival isn’t merely a van — it’s a mobile luxury lounge. Great for families, business travel and anyone who cannot compromise on comfort, this hotel fills a need in the Indian market with flair and finesse.
If you want a car that can transport your complete family in supreme comfort but don’t feel the necessity to go into the premium SUV domain, then perhaps the Carnival is one of the better options in the market.