The Kia Carnival luxury sedan is back; twice the features and twice the price.
Story: Joshua Varghese
Photography: Sanjay Lekha
The Kia Carnival’s comeback is big news for two reasons. Its predecessor recalibrated our expectations of second-row travel for less than Rs 35 lakh (ex-showroom), and in its latest iteration, it’s almost twice as expensive as before. Kia India has confirmed that this is the latest generation multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and it comes with all the bells and whistles through the SKD route. Out of curiosity, we found ourselves in rainy Bengaluru to get acquainted with the latest Fiesta limousine.
As the name suggests, this time around the Fiesta is only available in limousine form. This means we only get a seven-seat layout. This seems fair considering this is Kia India’s new internal combustion engine (ICE) flagship in the country. At over 5.1 meters long, it is 40 mm longer than its predecessor and longer than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB. It is also nearly two meters wide. The designers did an impressive job getting the dimensions right for the car. With a new grille, headlights, and streamlined bodywork, the Fiesta looks more premium than ever, and Kia completes it with an elegant rear end. The choice of 18-inch wheels visually complements the overall styling, especially when driving. We didn’t realize it only comes in two colors: white or black. Blue or green would be nice.
Opening and closing the driver’s door reminds us of Kia’s commitment to quality, and its attractive interior is the icing on the cake. The front row is very comfortable for both driver and passenger, and the center console is another exercise in smart space management as it offers armrests, clever storage, phone charging solutions (including a wireless charger) and infotainment. There is enough space for the driver and passenger to exist in their own zone without being aware of the other’s presence. In this case, it’s easier done than said, thanks to the Bose sound system, ventilated seats, and extremely efficient air conditioning. The drive lasted more than two hours and we didn’t feel any discomfort while driving.
Chauffeur-driven people are sure to appreciate the Fiesta’s second row, as the entire experience is now noticeably more relaxed. Pull the handle or press the button to automatically open/close the sliding door. Even better, the rear doors can be controlled from the driver’s seat. A power-adjustable driver’s seat is expected at this price point, but the Fiesta also offers power-adjustable captain’s chairs in the second row, which adds to the convenience; which is ultimately why most people are interested in this car . Living in the left seat is extremely comfortable. There are buttons to move the front passenger’s seat forward or tilt it. One also comes with dedicated air conditioning vents, but Kia has placed the climate controls on the other side; perhaps, this is a result of development as a left-hand drive model, but for those customers who prioritize minimal effort over absolute convenience It’s a bit inconvenient to say. It’s also worth noting that front-to-back and side-to-side adjustments are still manual; not very luxurious.
As far as the eye can see and as far as the fingers can touch, Kia has used high-quality materials in the cabin, which adds significantly to its premium, but “luxury” isn’t the word that comes to mind when describing it. For an aspiring luxury car, the lack of a rear-seat entertainment screen feels like a missed opportunity. We hope it will be available as an option soon. Still, Kia’s space management is commendable. There’s plenty of usable space in the third row, too; good enough for adults for short distances, comfortable enough for long drives, and keeping the kids happy, but they outdo themselves with flexible luggage space. The tailgate opens at the touch of a button to reveal a spacious trunk, but that’s not all. For even more space, gently pull on the rear of the third-row seats to fold them flat into the floor. Smart.
Under the bonnet is a 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 193 hp at 3,800 rpm and peak torque of 441 Nm between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. We only get an eight-speed automatic transmission and what a transmission it is. We were able to use eighth gear at 100 km/h, with the engine demanding a sluggish 2,000 rpm or so. Power delivery isn’t urgent, with the turbo taking a while to kick in, but torque is delivered smoothly, which compliments the gearbox and translates into an overall smooth drive. It’s fast for a car of this size; capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 11 seconds. In terms of refinement, the diesel engine looks relatively noisy from the outside. There was no vibration in the steering wheel inside the car, but after being on the road for a while, we felt that the sound insulation could be better. This observation holds true only because of the Carnival’s pricing.
This isn’t a car that people would buy for its driving abilities, but it’s reassuring to know it handles well. It cruises at triple-digit speeds with confidence and takes corners with the composure we’ve come to expect from a car of this size. Motor-driven power steering and shift-by-wire gearing add another relaxing dimension to the driving experience. On the move, the Fiesta hides its bulk and dimensions well. Plus, the overall driving experience is undemanding, which leads us to believe that this car can handle off-road excursions effortlessly. Happily, Level 2 ADAS can prevent most accidents that occur accidentally, and eight airbags can keep occupants safe when all else fails. With a wheelbase of nearly 3.1 metres, the Fiesta corners with great agility and carries on with confidence the rest of the way through corners. There are disc brakes all around. Their bite is strong, and brake pedal feel is predictable and progressive.
Although the Fiesta is easy to drive, second-row passenger comfort is its top priority. Ride quality is excellent, with plush ventilated seats. Most bumps in the road are barely felt inside, and the car just cruises along at triple-digit speeds while isolating its passengers from the outside world. The suspension is set on the stiffer side, but the balance between comfort and performance leaves no room for complaint. It clears frontal speed bumps, and we found the ground clearance to be optimal for our conditions.
By the end of our drive, the toughest question to answer was whether the latest Fiesta was overpriced. Priced at Rs 63.90 lakh (ex-showroom), it has no direct competition in today’s market. Its closest rivals are the Toyota Innova Hycross and Toyota Vellfire Hi; the former is half the price and the latter is double the price, which doesn’t help at all. The Kia Carnival luxury sedan drives well, is spacious, comfortable, well-equipped and packed with the latest technology. Honestly, there’s almost nothing not to like. Kia India has announced that the Carnival is targeting the high-income group, who usually buy luxury SUVs or luxury executive sedans. If you are willing to ignore the luxury index, I think the Carnival is a more practical, comfortable and reasonable choice. Especially when transporting seven passengers on the road without discomfort.
Also read: Mercedes-Benz E 200 LWB V214 Review
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