New Kia Carnival to Enter Premium Segment with October 3 Launch

Kia India has initiated its teaser campaign for the upcoming Carnival MPV, scheduled to launch on October 3. The new model will be imported as a Completely Built Unit (CBU), with plans for local assembly in the future. As the Kia Carnival will be imported as CBU, the price is expected to exceed Rs. 50 lakh (ex-showroom). This positioning places the Carnival in a unique segment, above the Toyota Innova Hycross, and below the Vellfire in terms of pricing.

The initial teaser from Kia has revealed several key features of the new Carnival:

• Large infotainment touchscreen (likely 12.3 inches)
• Digital instrument cluster (12.3 inches)
• Dual sunroofs (front and second row)

Additional expected features include front and rear dash cams, a head-up display, digital inside rear-view mirror, and ambient dashboard lighting. While official bookings have not yet commenced, some Kia dealerships are accepting unofficial bookings with a refundable amount of Rs. 1 lakh.

At launch, the Carnival is expected to be offered in a single, fully loaded variant. Color options will likely be limited, with white and black finishes confirmed. The new Carnival's seating capacity is yet to be announced for the Indian market. Globally, the MPV is available in 7, 9, and 11-seat configurations, leaving room for speculation about which options will be offered here.

The powertrain details are yet to be announced. While the previous model's 2.2-lire four-cylinder diesel engine may be retained, international versions also feature 1.6-lire turbo-petrol-hybrid and 3.5-lire V6 petrol options.

The October 3 launch will reveal full details on the Carnival's specifications, variants, and pricing, clarifying its position in India's automotive market.