Jump in segment
Kia India’s roadmap for this FY will focus on the premium end of the game and will launch two big people movers as a part of this approach. The cars in question are the updated Kia Carnival and EV9 electric MPV. This is a full contrast to its FY24 plan where it launched updates for the Sonet, Seltos and eventually the Carens too.
Kia Carnival
The updated Kia Carnival was showcased in South Korea in November 2023 and is the most comprehensive upgrade this generation of the car has had since it was launched. The updates include a new face, silhouette and design for the wheels. If the exterior updates felt a bit low-key, then the cabin is certainly nothing low-key. There’s an all-new dashboard, feature list and even upholstery giving the Carnival a massive upgrade over its predecessor.
Depending on the market, you can have it with either aV6 petrol, hybrid petrol or a four-cylinder diesel and the last one is what we will get in India. It’s a 2.2-litre unit producing 191bhp/441Nm and mated to an eight-speed AT. Kia has also expanded the fuel tank capacity from 60-litres to 72-litres significantly increasing its range. We expect the Carnival will continue as a CKD and be assembled at Kia’s Anantapur plant in Andhra Pradesh. It will be a segment rival for the Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster and the upcoming Skoda Kodiaq.
Kia EV9
The other big three-row car will be the much anticipated Kia EV9. It was showcased in concept form at the 2023 Auto Expo and has already been spied testing in India with a debut expected towards the festival season.
The EV9 shares much of its silhouette with the updated Carnival with a distinct face and rear end. The interior is new age Kia with dual-digital displays, a large two-spoke steering wheel and of course three rows of seating. Depending on the version you choose, it could have a range anywhere from 400-600kms and optional AWD. The EV9 is expected to first arrive as a CBU and depending on the demand could also switch to being a CKD with assembly at their India plant.
Surprise entry
Along with the announcement of the Carnival and EV9, Kia is also expected to showcase an electric version of the Carens, which it officially announced during its investors day. This is expected to pick up everything that the ICE Carens has but with an electric powertrain offering a range of up to 400km.