Complete Guide to Buying a Kia Carnival

If you enjoy travelling with your family and are looking for a car that’s filled with top-notch features, great comfort, ample safety and a feel-good factor, then the Kia Carnival is undoubtedly made for you. Offering extravagance for every passenger, the Kia Carnival is one of the most loaded and premium Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) in India. Launched in 2020, the Kia Carnival came in as a refreshing addition to the premium MPV segment, redefining the horizons of comfort, luxury, practicality and utility.

In just 3 years of its launch, the Carnival has already managed to impress thousands of happy customers, with an experience that is unmatched by any other vehicle in its segment. So if you are looking to upgrade to a premium MPV for your family this year, then buying the Carnival makes perfect sense. But before you head out to bring home the Carnival, here’s a complete buying guide to help you see through every dimension of the Carnival, including specifications, pros, cons, variant lineup, and after-sales experience.

Kia Carnival Specifications

Credited to have introduced the premium MPV segment in India, the Carnival at present is the only option in the specific territory it created. However, since the Indian market is quite price sensitive, the Carnival indirectly competes with the likes of MPVs such as the Toyota Innova Crysta and Hycross, and SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Carnival is what lies between the Mercedes Benz V class and the Toyota Innova Crysta.

Why you should consider the Kia Carnival

While there might not be any direct competitor to the Kia Carnival, its price point still matches some great options in the SUV as well MPV segment. However, even then, the Kia Carnival offers a few aspects that are better when compared to near as well as distant competitors. If you are wondering what those aspects are, here’s why you should consider the Carnival over other cars that are similarly priced.

A host of premium features

Ever since Kia entered the Indian market, it has established itself as a brand that focuses a lot on features. Every offering from the carmaker is loaded to the brim with modern-day features that elevates the overall ownership experience. With the Carnival the brand went up a notch, to include some of the most premium features onboard. Inclusions such as two electric sunroofs, ventilated driver’s seat, a laptop charging socket, a wireless charger, three-zone automatic climate control, 10-inch rear seat entertainment consoles, a premium sound setup and much more make the Carnival one of the most loaded premium MPVs in the market. Being the sole ranger in its territory, the onboard features of the MPV are such that even high-priced indirect competitors like the Toyota Innova Hycross, and the Toyota Fortuner are no match in front of the Carnival’s premium appeal.

Jaw dropping space and comfort

Another advantage that the Kia Carnival proudly offers is its massive in-cabin comfort and space. With a huge wheelbase of 3060 mm, the Carnival boasts the largest in-segment cabin space, which is much more spacious than what competitors like the Innova Hycross and even the Fortuner offers. Thanks to the Carnival’s sheer size, it can comfortably seat up to 7 passengers with no complaints whatsoever, with older 9-seater versions also available in the pre-owned market. In fact, the Carnival’s comfort quotient is so good, that even adults can fully enjoy the third-row ride; something that is rare for any seven-seater to offer. No matter where you sit, each row of the Carnival offers brilliant comfort, with independent climate control, entertainment consoles, and even leg support for the second row.

Maximum utility and dynamic performance

If you think that the Kia Carnival is only about premium features and king-sized comfort, then you are wrong. The success of the Kia Carnival in the Indian market isn’t confined to its premium approach. The Carnival couples it with an equally capable performance that makes the overall package highly attractive. The BS6 compliant 2.2-litre diesel engine of the MPV has just the right amount of punch, to make the Carnival’s dynamics stable, grounded and enjoyable. Mated to an eight-speed automatic, the Carnival’s performance does not compromise on comfort, which the automatic transmission is able to provide throughout the ride. The diesel engine returns an impressive mileage of up to 14.11 km/l, which is decent enough considering the sheer size of the MPV. Even in terms of utility, the Carnival does justice to its MPV tag with a huge boot space of 540 litres even with the third row up. Other features like a smart powered tailgate, power-adjustable seating and a high ground clearance together boost the overall utility of the Carnival making it a diverse and dynamic option.

Why you should not consider the Kia Carnival

Despite its advantages, the Kia Carnival isn’t a perfect car and that is quite natural. While the Carnival does offer some great advantages, there still are a few compromises that must be considered before you make a decision, especially when you are buying a car that is meant for the entire family.

It is pricey

While there is no denying the fact that the Kia Carnival is truly high on comfort, luxury, features and utility, however, all that comes for a price that might get a bit heavy on your pockets. Priced between Rs.30.99 – 35.49 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom), the Carnival is surely a high-priced option, especially when compared to other MPVs and SUVs. If buying a car that can comfortably seat the entire family is the goal, the same can be achieved with cars like the Innova Hycross, Kia Carens, MG Hector Plus or even the Mahindra XUV700, with a cost advantage of anywhere between 5 to 12 lakhs. While these options won’t be as spacious or premium as the Carnival, they would still get the job done. 

It isn’t for everyone

One good look at the Kia Carnival, and you would know that the MPV is curated with luxury in mind. Despite its utility, practicality, space and comfort, the overall appeal of the Carnival is one that resonates with sheer luxury. While this might as well be one of the biggest advantages of the MPV, it is also one of the strongest cons. The Carnival isn’t a mass-market car, and neither does it try to be one. The use-case of the Kia Carnival is limited to those who want a car that offers nothing but extravagant comfort for every passenger. Justified by its price tag, the Kia Carnival is focused towards a niche of consumers that can appreciate the luxurious approach of the MPV. The Carnival in its entirety unapologetically lacks a cater-to-all appeal which makes it an option only for those who truly need it.

Kia Carnival Variants

The Kia Carnival is offered in a total of three variants that include the Prestige, Limousine and Limousine Plus. The cheapest Carnival variant is the Kia Carnival Prestige which has a price tag of Rs. 30.99 lakh while the most expensive variant of the Carnival is the Kia Carnival Limousine Plus which comes with a price tag of Rs. 35.49 lakh.

Best Kia Carnival Variant to Buy

While the Kia Carnival brings in nothing but the best straight from the base model, there still are three variants to choose from, with each offering a little more than the other. However, when pitched against each other, the Prestige and Limousine trims of the Carnival seem to be the best pick. What works for the prestige trim is the fact that it offers almost every comfort feature that the MPV aims to offer including all safety features. The Limousine trim on the other hand, for an additional 2.5 lakh brings in second-row VIP seats with foot support, Kia Connect capabilities, a rear seat entertainment console, and an air purifier. The best value however is still the Prestige trim, as it is loaded to the brim with features.

Kia Carnival Warranty and Service Costs

What has made Kia a trusted name in the Indian market is its nationwide sales and service network. Being a Kia product, the Carnival comes with a 3-year/unlimited kilometres warranty with 24/7 roadside assistance. In terms of maintenance, the Carnival being a diesel car will demand an annual service cost of about Rs. 8 to 10 thousand. The 5-year maintenance cost for the Kia Carnival will fall anywhere between Rs. 40 to 50 thousand.

Summary

An MPV that created its own segment in India, the Kia Carnival is one of the most exciting premium cars in India. Boasting extravagant comfort for every passenger, the Kia Carnival sets up to seven passengers in sheer comfort. Loaded to the brim with premium features, the Carnival offers a balanced performance. With a spacious cabin and ample practical features, the Carnival is for those who are looking to bring home the perfect car for the family that’s high on luxury.

FAQs about Kia Carnival