Kia Carnival

Expert Review by Maxabout

Introduction

Kia Carnival, also known as Kia Sedona in other markets, was introduced in India by the South Korean carmaker, Kia Motors on February 5, 2020, at the Auto Expo 2020. The Indian version is available in three variants. It is very much like an MPV but with a premium and sophisticated design that makes it outstanding in its category. Kia India has launched a new ‘Satisfaction Guarantee Scheme' for the Carnival, allowing buyers to return the MPV within 30 days of purchase if they are unsatisfied with it. However, there are some terms and conditions to this offer. Let’s check in detail the key specifications of this luxurious car.

Kia Carnival Design & Style

While talking about the looks, it’s a big car, almost 5m long, yet it hides its size brilliantly and even manages to appear stylish while doing so. That's quite an achievement, with a length of 5,115mm, a height of 1,755mm, and a wheelbase of 3,060mm. It comes with a tiger-nose grille that is a signature grille in the Kia family, but it has a drab finish all around, while the smaller chrome portion on the grille is likely to give the MPV a premium appearance. The grille is supported by an arched bonne, and the huge headlight units include LED daytime running lights and projector lens components. The blacked-out C-pillar is a nice touch that gives the MPV a more effective SUV-like appearance.

Kia Carnival Interior Space

Kia has packed the interior with features like UV-cut front door glasses and windshield, an 8.0-inch touchscreen head-unit with telematics (UVO), 3-zone climate control, Smart Pure air purifier with perfume diffuser, wireless charging for your phone, a 10-way-adjustable driver's seat with ventilation, and much more. The cabin is really comfy and offers not only enough space for all the passengers but an entertainment system for the rear seats as well. There is a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system available mounted on the rear of the front seats.

As per the sound systems, they are equipped with a Harman Kardon 8-speaker sound system in the top models. In the seven-seater Limousine variant, it has captain seats available in the middle row, which are Nappa leather-wrapped and give extendable support for the lower legs. As far as the third row is concerned, ample legroom is offered as well. The dual electric sunroofs contribute to the cabin's open atmosphere while providing a fantastic view of the sky.

Kia Carnival Dashboard and Instrument Console

Coming to the front of the car, the dashboard features a dual-tone finish, with a black soft-touch top and a beige plastic lower section. An 8-inch infotainment screen in the center console supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Kia's UVO app (3-year free). The UVO tech in the Carnival allows the drivers to remotely monitor car data on their smartphone or watch. With this feature, one may remotely start/stop the engine, monitor a stolen car, geofence, track speed restrictions, and access the vehicle's location, among many other features, including an SOS alert for emergency responders in the case of an accident.

The digital-analogue instrument cluster is attractive and provides a vast amount of information. The engine start button is illuminated in red and is surrounded by a chrome ring. The twin-pod instrument cluster comes with chrome outlines that give it a stylish look. The 3.5-inch MID displays average and instant fuel usage, a distance-to-empty counter, a digital speedometer, an outside temperature reading, and tyre pressure as well. The trip meter shows the current drive's mileage traveled, average consumption, and time. The center armrest compartment has a large space for travelers to store their electronic devices.

Kia Carnival Engine and Gearbox

2023 Kia Carnival is powered by a BS6 compliant 2.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 200 HP of power and 440 NM of torque. There is only one gearbox available, an eight-speed automatic that works well with the engine. Unlike the currently on the market all-wheel-drive vehicles, it only has front-wheel drive. The refinement level is good, and the cabin is fairly quiet even while traveling at high speeds.

Kia Carnival Color Options

2023 Kia Carnival is available in three variants, and all three are available with diesel engines only. The limousine version is a 7-seater with comfortable recliners in the center row. The Prestige model is available in 6 or 9-seat arrangements. The base Premium trim is offered in 7-or 8-seat setups. Glacier White Pearl, Steel Silver, and Aurora Black Pearl are the three color choices available.

Kia Carnival Brakes, Suspension, and Tyres

As for the braking duties in this giant car, it comes with 4-disc brakes and electronic parking brakes as well. The Carnival rides on a McPherson strut suspension with coil springs in front and a multi-link arrangement in the back. The car has 18-inch wheels and 235/60 MRF Wanderer tyres. Despite the 18" rims, the tyre sidewall is a considerable 141 mm tall, ensuring that ride quality and safety are not sacrificed. The limousine model comes with chrome rims known as "sputtering alloy wheels," while the lower variants come with "crystal cut alloy wheels." The spare wheel is 18-inch in diameter and is mounted with 135/80 Hankook rubber, with a speed restriction of 80 km/h.

Kia Carnival Top Speed and Mileage

When it comes to the top speed, the Kia Carnival offers a top speed of 190 kmph. The ride quality is superb, and the vehicle just glides over rough roads. The deferment works best at rising speeds between 80 and 100 kmph, although it might be unsettling at lower speeds. The steering is light, hence it doesn’t go well at high speeds, but it’s good for city drives. When it comes to the mileage it provides, the MPV has 13.9 kmpl of ARAI certified mileage. However, the mileage can be varied according to the buyer's driving experience.

Verdict - Should You Buy Kia Carnival or not?

2023 Carnival Limousine is costly, but it offers exceptional comfort for the price. The vehicle is ideal for long-distance travel. The leather VIP seats are really soft, and the top-grade leather helps you feel more at ease. The car is known as a game-changer in its segment in the Indian vehicle market. However, it has some issues while driving at high speeds owing to its larger size, but it still provides a safe driving experience. Overall, the Carnival portrays itself as a car capable of providing a powerful yet luxurious driving experience.