Kia Carnival : Kia Carnival The Kia Carnival is easily the most premium full-sized MPV in India that offers luxury, space and practicality under one roof.
The Carnival, on the other hand, settles into a space between your run-of-the-mill family car and the ultra premium end of the spectrum and makes its presence felt by providing exuberant limousine-like luxury at a relatively attainable price tag.
Feature-wise, the Carnival is designed to suit large families, C-suite executives and frequent flyers who covet comfort and space.
And whether getting around town or coast to coast, the Kia Carnival offers a next-level experience to all those along for the ride.
Sophisticated exterior with commanding presence
The Kia Carnival, then, is a big MPV that doesn’t feel big or boxy in this day and age. Rather, it is more overtly styled in a clean, contemporary and assertive road presence kind of way.
The broad tiger-nose grille, aggressive swept-back projector headlamps and sculpted hood lend an air of strength and confidence to the front.
Including just a little bit of luxury with chrome accents and LED DRLs.
From one end, the Carnival’s length is evident, as well as its sliding rear doors, proof that this is a practical, family-friendly machine.
The premium theme is reinforced by the large windows, roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels. The back also is keenly designed with sharp tail lamps and a wide bumper that rounds up everything.
Spacious and Luxurious Cabin
Open the door, and you plop into what feels more like a club’s premium lounge than a standard car interior. Materials quality is high, with soft-touch surfaces, available leather, and an uncluttered, layered dashboard design.
The Carnival comes in a variety of seating arrangements - seven, eight and nine-seat options.
In the 7-seater configuration provided that you tick the box for captain seats in the middle row, it almost feels akin to traveling business-class on an airline.
There’s ample legroom, armrests and even rear-seat entertainment screens in higher trims.
The third row is roomy for adults, a rarity in many three-row vehicles.
The premium quotient is augmented with the dual sunroof, multi-zone climate control, rear AC vents and mood lighting.
There is plenty of storage options, and the powered sliding rear doors make getting in and out of the thing a cinch in tighter parking lots.
Strong and Efficient Diesel Engine Along With Silent Drive
On the mechanical front, the Kia Carnival gets a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel motor combined with an 8-speed automatic.
This engine is smooth, sophisticated and strong enough to pull with ease the large MPV even under heavy load.
“They’re a jack-of-all-trades and master of all,” says Zaugg, pointing to the quarter-century lineage behind one of the most comfortable, easyrider cruising sleds on the snow.
And on the highway, the Carnival cruises over undulations and broken pavement with the confidence of the tallest kid in a middle-school volleyball game.
The suspension is set up to soak up the bumps, and the cabin is kept quiet and stable even at faster speeds.
Steering is feather-light in city driving but gains heft with speed for more confident-feeling control.
For its size, the Carnival is relatively easy to hustle around, there’s front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera – as well as blind-spot monitoring – to aid the driver.
Features and Safety
The Carnival is loaded with a long list of features. Highlights here include a big touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, ventilated front seats, wireless charging, a powered tailgate and a high-end sound system.
Safety wise, the Carnival includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, hill-start assist and front and rear parking sensors.
It doesn’t yet offer ADAS features, but it has the base for that in form of the overall safety package and solid construction.
Pros of Kia Carnival
Roomy and plush cabin with a variety of seating options
Innovative and smooth inline-6 diesel engine with smooth 8-speed automatic transmission
Upscale amenities like dual sunroof, rear-seat entertainment, and ventilated seats
Adequate ride quality for long trips and urban use
Lots of practicality with large boot and sliding doors
Cons of Kia Carnival
Big size can be an issue in compact urban areas
No petrol or hybrid choice, so less flexibility with fuel choice.
No ADAS or modern safety tech, unlike some newer competitors
Fuel economy may drop when loaded down in city traffic
Top-of-the-line versions that cost almost as much as luxury SUVs
Kia Carnival : Final Verdict
The Kia Carnival: A Car That’s Perfect to ‘Step Out’ Like the Dunphys at ABC’s Modern Family The Kia Carnival is a car that’s designed with the utmost comfort, style, and practicality in mind.
- It’s notable for giving you limo-level space and comfort for the price of a luxury sedan.
Carnival Living up to expectations won’t be a problem whether you’re a family needing unbeatable travel convenience or a corporative requiring a mobile living room.
Sure, there aren’t quite as many safety aids as you get on some more modern family wagons, but if you still put space and comfort way above everything else, the Alhambra is one of the best MPVs.