Want to know which variant of Kia Carnival is the right fit for you? Read this comparison to know the most compatible variant as per your needs.
Kia has lately set foot in the Indian automotive industry and has been rapidly growing since then. Their first offering, Kia Seltos was a tremendous success for their company and helped them to strengthen their image. Along with it, they launched the Kia Carnival. This vehicle sits under the minivan category and has been introduced in the Indian market. It is a spacious vehicle and is a comfortable people mover, to say the least. The Indian car market does not have many options in the minivan category and the Carnival is probably the only vehicle in its class as of now, except the Toyota Vellfire. Both of these vehicles are famous worldwide and it’s about time that the minivan culture is adopted in India as well. If you are planning to buy the Kia Carnival, continue reading this comparison as we will help you in making an informed decision.
Engine Details
| Variants | Engine | Transmission | Power (bhp) | Torque (Nm) |
| Premium | 2.2-litre Diesel | 8-Speed AT | 197 | 440 |
| Premium 8-str | 2.2-litre Diesel | 8-Speed AT | 197 | 440 |
| Prestige | 2.2-litre Diesel | 8-Speed AT | 197 | 440 |
| Prestige-9str | 2.2-litre Diesel | 8-Speed AT | 197 | 440 |
| Limousine | 2.2-litre Diesel | 8-Speed AT | 197 | 440 |
| Limousine Plus | 2.2-litre Diesel | 8-Speed AT | 197 | 440 |
Kia Carnival comes with a single diesel engine that produces 197 bhp and a hefty 440 Nm of torque. The power figures for this vehicle are adequate when compared with the needs and wants of the Indian consumer. There is adequate power wherever required and the engine is very versatile, but works best on the highway. Due to its large dimensions, it might be a bit difficult to manoeuvre the vehicle in city traffic and park it in tight spots.
Price List
| Variants | Price (ex-showroom) |
| Premium | Rs 24.95 Lakhs |
| Premium 8-str | Rs 25.15 Lakhs |
| Prestige | Rs 28.95 Lakhs |
| Prestige-9str | Rs 29.95 Lakhs |
| Limousine | Rs 33.95 Lakhs |
| Limousine Plus | Rs 33.99 Lakhs |
The price range for the Kia Carnival is pretty diverse with almost a difference of Rs. 10 Lakhs between the starting and top trim. It challenges some SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and MG Gloster when it comes to the price and this might not work in its favour because the Indian population prefers SUVs over minivans. Kia should have thought about this aspect before setting an appropriate price bracket for the vehicle.
Safety Features
| Features | Premium | Premium 8-str | Prestige | Prestige 9-str | Limousine | Limousine Plus |
| ABS With EBD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brake Assist | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Adjustable Seats | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tyre Pressure Monitor | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Headlamps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Stability Control | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Camera | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Assist | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Descent Control | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
From the above table, it becomes clear that there are ample safety features on offer for the Kia Carnival. The starting variants get sufficient features as well but only get 2 airbags. Moreover, it misses out on 360-degree camera which is essential in a vehicle of this size. Kia offers this feature in a vehicle which is smaller and sits in a lower segment and they should really rectify this in the coming facelift.
Comfort Improving Features
| Features | Premium | Premium 8-str | Prestige | Prestige 9-str | Limousine | Limousine Plus |
| Power Boot | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable Steering | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Climate Control | 3-zone | 3-zone | 3-zone | 3-zone | 3-zone | 3-zone |
| Air Quality Control | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rear AC Vents | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Rear | Rear | Front and Rear | Front and Rear | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| Hands-free Tailgate | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Push-button Start | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Glovebox Cooling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
There are plenty of comfort and convenience features inside the cabin of the Kia Carnival. All the trims get almost all the features with only a few missing here and there. This much can be ignored and is not at all a deal-breaker. Overall, a job well done by Kia on the comfort aspect and the car gives passengers a pleasant experience inside the cabin.
Interior and Communication
| Features | Premium | Premium 8-str | Prestige | Prestige 9-str | Limousine | Limousine Plus |
| Leather Seats | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Leather Steering Wheel | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Leather Gear Selector | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Electric Seats | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated Seats | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Height Adjustable Driver Seat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | 8-inch | 8-inch | 8-inch | 8-inch | 8-inch | 8-inch |
| Apple CarPlay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Android Auto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
It is clear from the above table that there are more than sufficient interior and connectivity features inside the Kia Carnival. However, the starting and middle variants miss out on a lot of kits and Kia could have included some of it in the middle variants at least. In this aspect, the top trims are equipped with all the bells and whistles and will give the plushest and premium experience sitting inside the vehicle.
Conclusion
Kia Carnival is a minivan that has been introduced in the Indian car market with little or no competition in this segment. Kia has solidified their image by launching the Seltos which was a huge success for them and now are keen to diversify their operations. From the above comparison, the most value for money variant is Prestige. It has all the required kits which would make the passengers feel comfortable. On the other hand, choosing the variant as per seating configurations depends upon the user and is solely a personal choice.
Also Read –
