The anticipation for the 2024 Kia Carnival in India has reached a new high as the upcoming model has been spotted undergoing testing with heavy camouflage. This marks the introduction of the fourth generation of the Carnival in the Indian market following its recent mid-cycle facelift in the international automotive scene. Expected to hit showrooms in the next few months, the new Carnival aims to build on the success of its predecessor.
Kia first introduced the Carnival in India in February 2020, showcasing the third generation at the Auto Expo. Priced from Rs. 24.95 lakhs (ex-showroom) at that time, the third-gen model garnered attention and established itself in the Indian automotive market. However, Kia took a different approach in the international market by unveiling the fourth generation in September 2020. Surprisingly, the fourth-gen Carnival wasn't initially planned for the Indian market, and Kia focused on selling the third-gen model.
At the 2023 Auto Expo, Kia presented the fourth-generation Carnival as a concept to the Indian audience, sparking considerable interest. Following this, Kia discontinued the third-gen model in April 2023, leaving enthusiasts eager for the arrival of the new version. Now, the heavily camouflaged test mules spotted in India indicate that the fourth-gen Kia Carnival facelift has commenced local testing, with expectations of hitting showrooms by April.
Despite the camouflage concealing much of the design, notable features can still be discerned. The updated headlights with large LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and a substantial tail light cluster contribute to an overall more upright and SUV-like silhouette compared to its predecessor.
The interior of the cabin has a high-end look with a revamped dashboard that has a dual-screen arrangement with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment system displays. Kia offers flexible seating configurations of 7, 9, and 11 seats in the international market, but it remains to be seen which options will be available for the Indian audience.
The new Carnival is available with a 3.5-liter gasoline engine, 1.6-liter gasoline hybrid, and 2.2-liter diesel engine across the globe. Speculations suggest that India will likely continue to receive the 2.2-litre diesel engine option.
As of now, the Kia Carnival faces no direct competition in the Indian market, positioning itself uniquely between the Toyota Innova HyCross and the Toyota Vellfire, and the upcoming launch of the fourth-gen Carnival is expected to bring a renewed sense of excitement to the premium MPV segment in India. Enthusiasts and potential buyers eagerly await the official unveiling and subsequent availability of the 2024 Kia Carnival facelift in the Indian market.