Kia is re-entering the premium segment with a bang and the two huge fireworks that it’s using are the Carnival MPV and the EV9 EV SUV. Both cars were announced earlier this year and now we know that they will make their debut in India on 3 October.
Carnival MPV
The new Carnival was showcased at the end of last year and while Kia says it is an update, the changes it has made to the car make it a completely new vehicle in our books. The design has moved to an SUV(ish) shape. While the inside has not changed in terms of dimensions, it has received a significantly upgraded feature list fully aimed at second- and third-row comfort. Globally, there are engine options for hybrids and the big V6 petrol, but in India, it will continue with the 2.2-litre diesel mated to an eight-speed AT.
EV9
The other ‘big’ name is the EV9 electric SUV. This is Kia’s flagship electric model and the first time an electric vehicle is offered with six- and seven-seat options. There are multiple battery options and the most powerful one will offer a range of up to 600km but only with AWD and a six-seat layout. It’s expected to pick up the same feature list as the Carnival but will also include V2L and V2V technologies.
Trickle-down effect?
In a way, the Carnival and the EV9 will set the stage for the arrival of the Carens facelift and also the electric Carens, both of which should be here by the end of this financial year. Both cars will pick up their feature list from the updated Seltos, which was launched in the middle of 2023.