Kia Carnival

Among all the cars currently on sale in India, my favorite is the Kia Carnival. While it may not be the most talked-about car in the mainstream market, it truly stands out as a unique offering in the Indian automotive landscape—a rare combination of luxury, space, comfort, and practicality, all wrapped in a premium MPV package. What draws me most to the Carnival is its sheer presence and road manners. It is a car designed with families and long-distance travel in mind, yet it doesn't compromise on refinement or features. The second-row experience, especially with the captain seats in the higher variants, rivals that of much more expensive vehicles. This makes it ideal for those who value comfort— whether being driven or driving themselves. The 2.2L diesel engine is another highlight— offering smooth performance and more than adequate torque to haul a full load of passengers and luggage without feeling strained. The automatic transmission is well-calibrated for relaxed cruising, making it a true highway mile-muncher. Additionally, the Carnival’s interior quality and features— such as the rear-seat entertainment system, multiple USB ports, power sliding doors, and tri-zone clim

A King of Comfort: The Kia Carnival is a Game-Changer! We recently took our Kia Carnival on a road trip from Delhi to Jaipur, and it was a revelation. Before this trip, I had my doubts about how a car this size would handle both the highway and the bustling city roads, but it completely exceeded all expectations. The Smoothest Drive Ever The Delhi-Jaipur highway is notoriously bumpy, but we were absolutely gliding. We were cruising at 120 km/h on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway stretch and didn't feel a single bump. The ride quality is so smooth it feels like you're sitting on a plush recliner in your living room, not driving a car. Space and Comfort for All We were a group of six, and this is where the Carnival truly shines. Unlike other 6-7 seater vehicles where the last row feels like an afterthought, our friends in the back were as comfortable as those up front. There were zero complaints about a lack of legroom or a bumpy ride—a first for any of our group trips. Surprisingly Easy to Drive My biggest apprehension was driving a car this big on Jaipur's chaotic roads. I was pleasantly surprised. The Carnival is incredibly easy to manage, even in heavy traffic. It feels nimble and responsive, and the visibility is excellent. Final Verdict The Kia Carnival isn't just a car; it's a mobile lounge. It combines the practicality of a people-mover with the comfort and luxury of a premium sedan. If you're looking for a vehicle that can handle long-distance travel with ultimate comfort for the entire family, the Carnival is in a class of its own. It's a worthy upgrade from any 6/7-seater on the market.

I finally got a chance to spend a good amount of time with the new Kia Carnival (Limousine Plus), and here’s my honest take after a few hundred kms behind the wheel. Engine & Drive Experience The 2.2L diesel is a gem. On paper it makes ~193 PS and 441 Nm, but more importantly, it feels effortless in the real world. Put your foot down and there’s strong mid-range punch, and the 8-speed automatic does its job quietly in the background. It’s not sporty, but for a 7-seater this size, I was surprised at how quick it can be—about 10–11 seconds to 100 km/h. Refinement is top-notch. Inside the cabin, hardly any diesel clatter filters through, and the insulation is excellent even on highways. It cruises at 100–120 km/h all day without breaking a sweat. Fuel economy in my mix of city/highway driving has been around 10–11 kmpl, which is fair considering the size. Ride & Handling This is where the Carnival really shines. The suspension is beautifully tuned—it soaks up potholes and speed breakers without breaking stride. On the highway it feels planted and stable, almost like a big European SUV. Steering is light, which makes it easier to manage in the city, though you are always aware of its sheer length. Tight lanes and parking garages will need patience, but the 360-degree camera and blind-view monitor really help. Cabin & Comfort If you are buying this car, it’s for the second row. The “VIP seats” are simply outstanding—ventilation, heating, powered recline with ottoman, and a sofa-like comfort level that you just don’t find in other cars at this price. My parents loved it immediately, and for long trips it really does feel like business-class on wheels. Ingress/egress is super easy with the power sliding doors, which is a blessing for elderly passengers. The third row is surprisingly usable for adults—legroom and headroom are fine, though the seat base is a little low. With all rows up, there’s still boot space for luggage, and with the third row folded flat, the cargo bay becomes massive. Quality inside feels premium—soft leatherette, big curved display, ambient lighting. It really gives a luxury vibe without being over the top. Features & Tech The car is loaded to the brim. You get a dual-screen curved setup (instrument cluster + infotainment), HUD, wireless charger, connected features, powered tailgate, dual sunroofs—the works. The ADAS suite is extensive. Adaptive cruise control and lane centering work great on highways. Rear cross-traffic alert and blind-view monitor are very handy in the city. It’ll take a bit of getting used to in Indian traffic, but overall I found it more useful than intrusive. Safety kit is strong too—8 airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, ESC, and Kia says it carries a 5-star ANCAP rating (though not tested yet under Bharat NCAP). Price & Positioning Here’s the tricky part. At ₹63.9 lakh ex-showroom, it’s not cheap. The old Carnival used to feel like a value buy against the Innova; this new one has jumped straight into entry-luxury SUV territory. There’s only one fully-loaded variant, so you either stretch your budget or skip it. That said, if you compare it to a Toyota Vellfire, the Carnival suddenly feels like great value—offering 80–90% of the lounge experience at half the money. Against the Innova Hycross, yes it’s pricier, but the space, comfort, and luxury feel are on another level. Pros (from my time with it): The second-row seats are unmatched—probably the most comfortable in the segment. Ride quality is superb, glides over bad roads. Engine + gearbox combo is smooth, refined, and torquey. Packed with safety and convenience tech. Practical third row + boot space. Cons: Sticker shock—₹70 lakh+ on-road for an MPV is hard to digest. Only one variant, no petrol or hybrid option. Feels huge in tight Indian city spaces. ADAS is nice but still not perfectly tuned for our chaotic traffic. Verdict The Carnival is not for everyone. If you just need a 7-seater, an Innova Hycross will do the job for far less money. But if you want to move family/guests in absolute comfort and make them feel like they’re sitting in a lounge rather than a car, this is it. For me, after driving it, I can confidently say—it’s the best chauffeur-driven car south of a Vellfire.