2024 Kia Carnival Review : 9 Pros & 8 Cons

On the open road, the engine & gearbox ensure that the Kia Carnival is a strong performer. During the media drive, never once did I feel that this heavy MPV was underpowered.

Kia Carnival Pros

• A top-class luxurious MPV that’s also high on practicality - beats most same price SUVs on both parameters
• Has a sturdy build and excellent fit & finish
• Large size and imposing road presence
• Spacious & comfortable interiors. 3rd-row is usable for adults too
• Fantastic engine & gearbox combination! 2.2L diesel & 8-speed AT impress
• Comfortable ride quality & neutral road manners - ride comfort is superior to the Toyota Vellfire
• 627L boot space with all three rows up; massive cargo space with the third row down
• Impressive kit (2 sunroofs, 12-speaker Bose sound system, relaxation seats, electric rear doors, sunshades, drive modes, paddle shifters which the outgoing Carnival didn't have, etc.)
• 5-star safety rating in the ANCAP. Kit includes 8 airbags, ADAS Level 2, ESC, HSA, 360-degree camera etc.

Kia Carnival Cons

• Twice as expensive as the outgoing car! Ex-showroom price is 64-lakhs (IMHO, it's fully worth the asking price)
• Massive size can make it cumbersome in the city, while parking & in narrow lanes. Majority of Kia Carnivals are chauffeur-driven for good reason
• Available in merely 2 colour options, 1 variant and 1 seating configuration
• No petrol or hybrid powertrains on offer
• Ordinary urban fuel economy due to the heavy weight, 190 BHP engine & AT gearbox
• 3rd-row access is difficult for larger adults and the elderly
• Quality of some of the interior materials is more comparable to a Hyundai Tucson than a Mercedes
• Some misses such as a full-size spare tyre (you get a skinny 135 mm space saver which will cap your cruising speed to 80 km/h), cooled glovebox, fully electric second row seat adjustment, etc.

Read Team-BHP's detailed 2024 Kia Carnival Review here.