Kia will enter the Indian market in 2019 with the Kia SP Concept-based premium B-SUV (Hyundai Creta rival). For the eventual expansion of its lineup, the company is considering the Kia Carnival MPV among other models, as per a report from Autocar India.
The Kia Carnival, also known as Kia Grand Carnival and Kia Sedona, is a minivan that competes with the likes of Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna. The third-generation model currently on sale arrived in early 2014 and received a facelift earlier this year.
The Kia Carnival measures 5,115 mm in length, 1,985 mm in width and 1,740 mm in height. It has a 3,060 mm wheelbase. Kia offers this model in 7-seat, 8-seat, and 11-seat versions, although options may vary depending on the market. In South Korea, the company’s home market, customers get to choose between the 3.3L GDI V6 petrol engine (280 PS/336 Nm) and the R2.2 E-VGT CRDi diesel engine (202 PS/441 Nm). An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard.
On the outside, the Kia Carnival features LED headlamps, LED fog lights, 19-inch chrome alloy wheels, heated mirrors, power sliding doors, LED tail lamps, hands-free smart power tailgate and a shark fin antenna.
Inside, the MPV comes with features like dual sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation. There's an 8-speaker Krell premium sound system, mobile phone wireless charging pad, 3 USB ports, 3 12-volt power outlets, heated, ventilated and electrically adjustable 8-way front seats with 4-way power for the driver’s seat and sliding and reclining second-row outer seats.
The Kia Carnival is equipped with a plethora of active and passive safety features. Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Lane Change Assist (LCA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS), 360-degree camera view and six airbags are among the main safety features.
Also Read: 2019 Kia Sportage (facelift) spied on South Korean roads again
The Kia Carnival is produced at the Sohari Plant in South Korea. If Kia decides to launch it in India, it could import CKD kits and assemble them in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. The minivan could have a steep pricing of well above INR 20 lakh and open up a new niche segment in our market.
[Source: Autocar India]
