As the Major Partner of AO22, Kia on January 13 held an official vehicle handover ceremony at the newly christened Kia Arena in Melbourne Park, attended by Kia and Tennis Australia executives, former Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal and wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott.

Kia presented a fleet of 130 vehicles to tournament officials comprised of the popular Sportage SUV, Carnival MPV and EV6 fully electric crossover. The vehicles will transport players, match officials and VIPs in comfort and safety around Melbourne Park during the Open from January 17-30.

A key development for AO22 is the inauguration of Kia Arena, a 5,000-seat capacity stadium that will host tournament matches. Kia Arena is the fourth-largest Australian Open stadium at Melbourne Park and was constructed ahead of the 2022 event. It will also be utilized as a venue for diverse cultural, sports and entertainment programs outside of the tournament schedule.

Aside from these events and developments, Kia will operate an EV6 exhibition booth and diverse marketing activities featuring engaging digital content. As the exclusive major partner of the Australian Open since 2002, Kia will continue to offer innovative brand-related experiences to customers around the world, leveraging the various synergies created from the Australian Open.

The designation applies to the 2022 Kia Carnival when equipped with LED projector headlights and built after March 2021. The Carnival earned ratings of ‘good’ in all six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.

Also Read: New 4-Seater Kia Carnival is All About Utmost Luxury & Comfort

The 2022 Kia Carnival stakes its claim between SUV and family hauler, with a bold and boxy SUV-like design, best-in-class cargo room and more dynamic performance with a powerful 3.5-litre V6 engine. The Carnival raises the bar for what an MPV can be with 12 standard Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features including Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist, Parking Distance Warning-Reverse and High Beam Assist.

“The all-new Carnival offers a combination of technology, utility and confidence unrivalled by competitors,” said Sean Yoon, president and CEO of Kia North America, Kia America. “This latest Top Safety Pick reinforces Kia’s unwavering efforts to deliver products that enable the lives of new and existing customers.”

Also Read: 2022 Hyundai Tucson Earns Highest Safety Rating in US - TSP+ by IIHS

The 2022 Carnival is the 8th Kia vehicle to earn a TSP rating, following the 2021 Soul, Forte, Seltos (built after August 2020), Stinger, Sportage, Sorento and Telluride (all when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights). The 2022 Stinger and 2021 K5 (built after November 2020) have both been awarded the TSP+ rating, bringing the brand to 10 total awards and a three-way tie for the second-highest in the industry.

To qualify for the award, vehicles must earn good ratings in all six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.

Also Read: 2022 Hyundai Tucson Earns Highest Safety Rating in US - TSP+ by IIHS

They must also be available with a front crash prevention system that earns advanced or superior ratings in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations and at least one headlight package that earns a good or acceptable rating. To qualify for the higher-tier Top Safety Pick+ award, good or acceptable headlights must be standard across trim levels.

The 2022 Kia Carnival falls short of qualifying for the higher-tier award because its base model’s headlights earn a poor rating due to inadequate illumination. However, the LED projector headlights that come with the SX Prestige trim earn a good rating. Only vehicles equipped with those headlights and built after March 2021 qualify for the award. Vehicles built earlier were equipped with different front seats that did not undergo the IIHS head restraint evaluation.

Also Read: Kia Soul Facelift Spotted, First Spy Shots Surface Online

The 2022 Kia Carnival is available with two different front crash prevention systems, one standard and one optional. Both systems earn superior ratings in the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. The 2022 Kia Carnival has also earned an acceptable ease-of-use rating for its child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

In India, the Kia Carnival is available in 5 variants in 7-, 8-, and 9-seater versions along with a Limousine format, too. The base Premium 7-seater model costs INR 24.95 lakh. On the other hand, the range-topping Limousine 7-seater model retails at INR 33.95 lakh.

All prices are ex-showroom

The new 4-seater Kia Carnival comes with a plethora of new features that enhance the overall comfort and luxury that the car has to offer. For instance, the rear seats use top-quality foam and 3D quilted Nappa leather. There’s also the ‘Premium Relaxation Seat’ function that helps distribute the load on the hips and back for a much more comfortable and relaxed experience.

Also Read: 11-Seater Hyundai Staria MPV with Futuristic Design Launched in Thailand

Passengers can operate the seats of the new 4-seater Kia Carnival with a 7-inch touch-type integrated controller located between the rear seats or a smartphone application. Kia has also reworked the rear-seat lighting and air conditioning and added a foot massager located at the bottom of the front left of the second row. Apart from that, there’s also a cold/hot cabinet and a rear seat storage box.

Some of the other interesting features of the new 4-seater Kia Carnival include:

• Rear seat cold/hot cup holder
• Rear seat smartphone wireless charger
• Rear seat exclusive table
• 21.5-in smart monitor
• LED hanger in luggage space

To further enhance passenger comfort, Kia has tuned the suspension setup of the new 4-seater Carnival. The company is also using the 3.5L petrol engine that promises to deliver uninterrupted power without compromising the NVH levels of the vehicle. Overall, the motive of the new 4-seater Carnival is to provide passengers with the same comfort as in the first class of an aircraft.

Also Read: Experience Kia Seltos, Sonet, Carnival Live ‘Phygitally’ via Kia Digi-Connect

In India, the Kia Carnival is currently available in 5 trims, as listed on the brand’s website. The price starts at INR 24.95 lakh for the base Premium 7-seater trim. On the other hand, the range-topping Limousine 7-seater trim is available at a starting price of INR 33.95 lakh.

All prices are ex-showroom

Kia Digi-Connect is a one-of-a-kind customised application that will enable customers to connect with their nearest Kia India dealerships and get complete assistance using a video conference offering them a showroom-like experience. The integrated solution application has been developed keeping in mind the current pandemic situation. It will not only ensure the safety of customers but also expedite and improve their buying process.

Also Read: 2021 Kia Sonet Walkaround Video - New Features Detailed

Speaking about the launch of the application, Mr Tae-Jin Park, Executive Director and Chief Sales & Business Strategy Officer, Kia India, said:

The Kia Digi-Connect initiative signifies Kia India’s bold and innovative approach towards offering a matchless premium customer experience, aligned with our new brand purpose - ‘Movement that inspires’. With this industry-first initiative, we have taken a step forward in transforming the purchase journey of our customers to a seamless, digital one. Technology-led digital transformation has been the primary approach for Kia India right at the outset and we are committed to spearheading the digital revolution in the Indian automotive industry going forward. We are confident that such digital innovations will offer great customer delight at every step of their car buying journey and make Kia India an aspirational and lovable brand in the country.

The Kia Digi-Connect app is a completely safe and secure platform that is integrated with Kia India’s Central Lead Management System. To experience the digital buying solution, customers can go to the company’s official website and opt for video consultation through Kia Digi-Connect.

The Kia Digi-Connect solution will also provide customers several additional options of 360-degree virtual experience through video call, screen and video sharing along with sharing of brochures, price list, etc., through the digital medium. The app also allows customers to include multiple family members and friends on the same call from different geographic locations to collectively understand and discuss with dealership representatives.

Introducing the Kia Digi-Connect, Mr Hardeep Singh Brar, Vice President and Head of Marketing & Sales, Kia India, said:

We are committed to the safety of our consumers and dealer partners, especially in these difficult times of COVID-19, and the Kia Digi-Connect solution is designed to ensure just that. We believe this initiative will be a game-changer in the purchase journey of the customers as it offers a safe platform where the buyers can access all the information about Kia products and services from the comfort of their homes, as they would when visiting the showroom. This further reiterates our commitment to offering a differentiated Kia ownership experience to our patrons in the country.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Kia updates and other four-wheeler news.

The new return policy also includes the fact that the MPV should not have covered more than 1,500km. Moreover, there shouldn’t be any damages or scratches on the vehicle. The person should clear all the pending claims before returning the car, and an owner also needs to hand over the NOC from the financer to the automaker.

Announcing this scheme, Mr Tae-Jin Park, Executive Director & CSBO, Kia India says, “Last month, we introduced our new brand purpose of inspiring consumers through products and services, and their experiences with the brand. The ‘Satisfaction Guarantee Scheme’ is the first step to bring this purpose to life and is designed to offer a differentiated Kia ownership experience to our customers, prioritizing their peace of mind during these testing times.”

Kia launched the Carnival in our market last year at the Auto Expo 2020. In India, the MPV is offered in three trim levels, namely- Premium, Prestige and Limousine. The MPV derives power from a 2.2-litre diesel engine which develops 200bhp and 440 Nm. Transmission duties are done by an 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. As per the automaker, they have retailed 6,200 units of the Carnival in India in its first year. In terms of dimensions, the Kia Carnival is 5115 mm long, 1985 mm wide, 1755 tall and has a wheelbase of 3060 mm. It gets retailed at a starting price of Rs 24.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the base trim and goes all the way up to Rs 33.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the top-spec version.

Upcoming MPVs in India - Toyota's Rebadged Maruti Ertiga 

The first car on our list of 5 Upcoming MPVs in India starts with a vehicle that you're all already familiar with. After coming up with the Toyota Glanza and Urban Cruiser, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is now planning to introduce a rebadged version of Ertiga in the Indian market. It is likely to hit our shores in the second half of next year. It will employ some subtle cosmetic and feature updates on the outside and inside. In our market, it will directly rival the Maruti Ertiga. It is expected to be powered by Maruti Ertiga’s 1.5-litre petrol with a mild-hybrid system. The same power plant options does duties in Maruti S-Cross, Ciaz, XL6 and Vitara Brezza. 

Fourth-gen Carnival

Right now, Kia Carnival is the flagship car in its automaker's stable in our market. In India, the carmaker is offering the third-gen model of the MPV, while it has already launched the fourth-gen version of the car in many foreign markets. One can see that the fourth-gen Carnival looks much more modern than the third-gen model offered in India. It is expected to launch in our market by the end of this year. The upcoming model of the MPV will get a refreshed cabin and will employ a new steering wheel, a bigger touchscreen infotainment unit, a fully digital instrument console and new AC control panels. It is likely to derive power from a 2.2-litre diesel enginen which develops 202 PS of power and comes mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Citroen Berlingo

Next, on our list of 5 Upcoming MPVs in India is what could become the third offering from Citroen. The Berlingo has been snapped several times while getting tested on Indian roads. Right now, the automaker has only offered one car in our market, which is the C5 Aircross. Next, it will launch the C3 here. There is no confirmation from the carmaker regarding Berlingo's official launch in our market but it does look like this MPV is headed our way. If launched, it will be offered with two different powertrain options- 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. Transmission duties will be done by both manual and automatic gearbox.

Kia KY MPV

Alongside the fourth-gen Carnival, Kia is also planning to launch another all-new MPV by next year. It has been already snapped while getting tested. Many of you may know that the upcoming Hyundai Alcazar is based on the Hyundai Creta platform, so one can expect the new Kia KY MPV to be based on the platform of Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos. In the Indian auto market, it will be positioned between Maruti Ertiga and Toyota Innova. It will compete against the likes of Mahindra Marazzo. The all-new Kia KY MPV will be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol and diesel mill. The former will produce 133bhp of peak power and 145 Nm of torque, while the latter is capable of shredding out power and torque outputs of 113bhp and 250 Nm. One can also expect the KY MPV to be powered by the 2.0-litre petrol unit, which will be offered in Hyundai Alcazar.

Hyundai Staria

The last model on our list of 5 Upcoming MPVs in India is a vehicle that could become the most premium model in Hyundai Motor India Ltd's stable. Hyundai has recently revealed an all-new MPV named Staria. There’s no confirmation from the carmaker regarding its India launch but it does look like it could be brought to our market to take on the Toyota Innova Crysta. However, one can see that the all-new Hyundai MPV has a very unique and versatile design language. The front fascia of the car is inspired by the spaceship. Dimensionally, it is longer, wider and taller than the third-gen Kia Carnival offered in our market. The MPV will be offered multiple seating options. It will derive power from a 2.2-litre diesel engine and a 3.5-litre V6 gasoline mill.

So, which of these 5 Upcoming MPVs in India are you waiting for?

The video shows how the fourth-gen Kia Carnival performs at the crash test. One can see the MPV hitting an object coming from the opposite direction. In this test, the front fascia of the MPV absorbed all the shock and the MPV protected the dummy occupants quite well. The crumple zones seem to have performed their job pretty well.

As one can see in the video both driver/passenger and curtain airbags were deployed, and the dummies inside the car were also safe. The shell of the MPV seems to be quite robust. This could be one of the reasons why the side impact did not affect the occupants. The doors of the Kia MPV seem to have soaked all the impact.

Also, the results were no different when a full-width frontal collision test was conducted. The engine bay of the MPV took all the impact and hence, the occupants remained safe. The front bumper and bonnet of the MPV are compliant with pedestrian safety norms and are built in a way to cause minimum damage to the pedestrian in case of an accident. The eight-seater version of the MPV was used in all these tests. In India, the Kia Carnival is positioned above the Toyota Innova Crysta. It is offered in 7, 8 and 9-seater configurations. It is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine.

The company’s flagship car Carnival recorded a total sale of 301 units in April 2021. Kia Seltos is the highest contributor by selling 1,80,000 units out of 2,25,000 units sold by the carmaker. On the other hand, Kia Sonet retailed more than 70,000 in just eight months of its launch. Many of you may know that Kia has recently launched the updated Seltos and Sonet in our market. The new model of Seltos has been introduced at a starting price of INR 9.95 lakh* for the base trim, while the prices go all the way up to INR 17.65 lakh* for the top-spec model. Meanwhile, the 2021 Kia Sonet has been priced between INR 9.95 lakh to INR 17.65 lakh*.

Talking about the updates, both SUVs now get new Kia badges, additional features and some new variants. The Kia Seltos now gets a new transmission option- iMT, which is offered only with the 1.5-litre NA petrol unit. The SUV continues to derive power from a 1.5-litre NA petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and 1.4-litre turbo diesel engines. On the other hand, Kia Sonet gets propelled by a 1.2-litre NA petrol, 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. In the Indian market, Kia Seltos competes with the likes of Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Creta. It will even take on the upcoming Skoda Kushaq, while the Kia Sonet rivals against the likes of Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Nissan Magnite, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300 and Renault Kiger.

*all prices are ex-showroom, Delhi

Considering the current economic scenarios, new car buyers are still uncertain about taking up the responsibilities that come bundled with car ownership. In such a case, leasing or subscription services make for a better deal. The brand further affirmed that it will be seeking inputs from prospective consumers before rolling out its subscription services. As of now, the South-Korean brand is also keen on increasing its production capacity to ensure a reduced waiting period for its products.

Also Read - Kia Sonet To Gain Paddle Shifters For Automatic Variants

Taking of Kia’s lineup in India, the carmaker sells a total of three cars, namely Sonet, Seltos, and Carnival. The Sonet being the most affordable of all, retails at a starting price of INR 6.79 lakh and tops out at INR 13.20 lakh. It is offered with three engine options – 1.2L NA petrol, 1.0L turbo-petrol, and 1.5L turbo-diesel. Furthermore, the gearbox options include – 5-speed MT, 6-speed MT, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed AT, and 7-speed DCT. In the Indian market, it rivals the likes of Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and more.

Next on the list is the Seltos, which can be had with either a 115 PS 1.5L petrol motor or a 115 PS 1.5L diesel engine. Moreover, there is a 1.4L turbo-petrol motor to settle down with. Transmission options on the Seltos include a 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT, 7-speed DCT, and IVT. Prices for the Seltos range in between INR 9.89 lakh – INR 17.45 lakh. The flagship product of the South-Korean brand – Carnival, is retailed exclusively with a 2.2L oil burner with prices starting at INR 24.95 lakh and going up to INR 33.95 lakh.

Hyundai Staria - Dimensions

The Hyundai Staria is a pretty large MPV, measuring 5,253mm in length, 1,997mm in width, and 1,990mm in height. It is considerably larger than even the India-spec Kia Carnival. The Staria measures 138mm longer and being a tall-boy MPV, it is 240mm taller than the Carnival. That's quite a significant difference. It is also marginal wider by 12mm, but has a significantly longer wheelbase by 213mm than the India-spec Carnival. This also gives the Staria a much more dominating presence on the road. The differences are a little lesser when compared to the next-gen Carnival that's available globally, although its not coming to India anytime soon.

Also Read : Hyundai Staria Exterior & Interior Design Revealed Ahead Of Global Debut

Hyundai Staria - Engine Options

The Staria has quite some similarities with the Carnival under it's hood. Hyundai will be offering two engine options with the Staria, both of which are offered with the global-spec next-gen Carnival. This includes a 200PS 2.2L diesel engine and a 272PS 3.5L V6 petrol engine, both of which will come paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The diesel variant can also be had with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Hyundai also says more eco-friendly engine options are on the way.

Hyundai Staria - Seating and Features

Hyundai had previously revealed details about the seating configurations that would be available with the Staria. The Staria will offer a wide range of seating options, from 2-seater to 11-seater. There's also a Staria for business purposes with up to 5,000 liters of cargo space. The seven-seater version of the Staria is the most opulent one with rear seats that automatically adjust based on your body weight for the perfect seating position.

The Staria will come bundled with safety features that will include six airbags, ABS with EBD, parking sensors, electronic stability control, forward collision avoidance assist, and blind spot collision avoidance assist. If will also feature nifty touches such as wireless seatbelt reminder module and the rear occupant alert that essentially alerts the driver if any of the rear occupants haven’t exited the vehicle.

The Staria's infotainment system will feature a host of connectivity option including Hyundai's suite of connected car tech. Perhaps the most notable feature about the infotainment system are the in-cabin speakers, through which the driver can communicate with the rear seat occupants. As standard, the Staria will be available with three interior color options - all-black, black/beige, and black/blue. The top-spec Premium variant comes with two additional colour choices: grey/brown and grey/light grey.

One of the biggest talking points about the new Carnival is that it is the first Kia vehicle in America to boast the new Kia logo. In terms of design, the Carnival is surely one of the best looking MPVs around. Characterized by sharp and bold lines all over, the Carnival has a daunting presence, much like the brand's newer SUVs. In fact, the design has been penned at Kia’s California design studio. The face is garnished with a big, bold 'Tiger nose' grille with sleek LED headlamps and a well sculpted bumper.  At the rear, the upright and boxy profile give it an SUV-ish appeal.

Also Read : Kia To Globally Debut Their First Dedicated EV In March 2021

On the inside, the new Carnival is thoroughly modern. The dashboard is adorned by twin-digital screens, something that's increasingly becoming a trend these days. The rest of the dashboard and switchgear are very well laid out with premium quality materials all over. In the U.S., the Carnival is available in either seven- or eight-seater configurations. The seven-seater version can be specked with the VIP Lounge Seats that offers leg extensions, ventilated seats for the second row, power controls, access to infotainment via voice controls, wing-out headrests and much more.

Equipment list on the new Carnival includes twin 12.3-inch screens (one for the infotainment system and one for the instrument cluster), automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with connected-car tech. It also gets rear-seat monitoring with night vision camera and an intercom system. The second row seats are even removable, with the third row seats folding down flat to liberate a best-in-class cargo area. Key safety features on the new Carnival include auto braking, blind-spot avoidance, high beam assist, etc.

Under the hood, the Carnival is offered with a single engine option in the U.S. It is powered by a 3.5L V6 petrol engine that produces 290hp and 355Nm of peak torque. The engine comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. Kia says the new Carnival has a towing capacity of 1,587 kgs which is better than even some dedicated pickup trucks. The Carnival also boasts of 12 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features such as forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, driver attention warning, and much more. It is expected to go on sale in the U.S. market in the second quarter of this year.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Kia updates and other four-wheeler news.

We have compiled a list of the top 5 MPVs you can buy in India-

Toyota Innova Crysta

The Toyota Innova Crysta is known as the poster boy MPV in India. The Innova Crysta borrows none of its elements from its predecessor and has a cabin design similar to expensive SUVs like the Fortuner.  The cabin now gets an updated nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The seats on the higher-spec variants are wrapped in Camel Tan (beige) leather upholstery. Added vehicle connectivity features now include geo-fencing, real-time vehicle tracking and last parked locations.

In terms of powertrain, the Toyota offers the Innova Crysta with the same petrol and diesel engines as before. This means on offer is a 2.7-litre petrol engine that outputs 166 PS and 245 Nm of torque and 2.4-litre diesel that delivers 150 PS and 360 Nm of torque. Both are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and offer a 6-speed torque converter unit as an option. The Toyota Innova Crysta comes in 18 variants. Price for the entry-level GX 7-seater variant starts at INR 16.27 lakh*. Meanwhile, the top-rung ZX 7-seater variant with automatic transmission goes up to INR 24.34 lakh*.

Also Read : Top 10 Torque-iest Cars Under INR 12 Lakh in India - IAB Picks

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

In a world dominated by compact SUVs and with the likes of the Vitara Brezza in its portfolio, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is doing rather incredibly well in terms of sales. Not only is it the best-selling Maruti car when it comes to large sized cars from the brand, but it is also the best-selling MPV in India. The Ertiga virtually has no competition and offers a 7-seater cabin at a starting price of just INR 7.59 lakh. Not only this, there’s also a premium version of the Ertiga called the XL6. It gets a 6-seater cabin with captain chairs, higher-quality components and is sold through the Nexa dealerships.

However, for buyers looking for a vehicle with a seating capacity of more than 5-seats, the Ertiga should be an obvious choice. It has loads of new-age features, good mileage, value-for-money packaging and much more. It gets only a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the car come in the form of a manual as well as a torque converter. In terms of equipment, it gets SmartPlay Studio infotainment system with seven-inch touchscreen display, automatic climate control, height adjustment for the driver’s seat among others.

Renault Triber

Renault, the French automaker surprised everyone when it launched its Triber MPV in India. Renault, before Triber offered successful products like Duster and Kwid, both of which are on separate ends of the price spectrum in India. The Triber comes in between the two products with a price range starting at INR 4.99 Lakh* and having four variants at INR 50,000 price margin as you move upwards the variant chart.

The Triber is India’s first modular MPV which gets removable third row of seating to liberate additional boot space in case you want to drive the car with 5 or less passengers. It is powered by a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine and gets both manual and auto gearbox options. Renault Triber is also amply loaded with features and has made a mark for itself in no time. The biggest USP is space inside the cabin at a reasonable price tag.

Also Read : Top 5 7-Seater SUVs You Can Buy in India: Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus and More

Kia Carnival

Kia, one of the newest entrant in India, decided to tap the premium MPV market of India and bridge the gap between the Toyota Innova Crysta and ultra-luxury entrants like the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Toyota Vellfire by offering the Carnival MPV, which came as the brand’s second offering in the Indian market. The Carnival can be had either in seven-, eight- and even a nine-seat configuration.

Kia Limousine’s VIP seats are available only in the seven-seat configuration with special reclining and sliding adjustments, along with leg extension. Kia offers a single powertrain in the Carnival. This means, on offer is a 2.2-litre diesel engine that develops 200 PS and 440 Nm and is offered with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Prices for the Carnival starts at INR 24.95 lakh* for the Premium 7-seater variant, while prices for the top-rung 7-seater Limousine variant costs INR 33.95 lakh*.

Mahindra Bolero

Mahindra Bolero is the undoubted champion of the rural India and is a preferred vehicle choice for car buyers looking for an affordable SUV/ MPV which is rugged and easy to maintain. The BS6 Bolero is available in three variants, namely B4, B6 and B6 (O). The BS6 Mahindra Bolero facelift is powered by a BS6-compliant 1.5-litre mHawk75 diesel engine that produces 75bhp at 3,600rpm and 210Nm of torque between 1,600-2,200rpm. This engine is paired to a five-speed manual transmission.

Exterior highlights of the BS6 Mahindra Bolero facelift include a redesigned fascia with a new bumper, new grille, new headlamps, rear washer and wiper and fog lamps. Inside, the model comes equipped with driver Information System with features such as distance travelled, distance to empty, gear indicator, door ajar indicator and digital clock with day and date. Also on offer are fabric seats, power windows, central locking, keyless entry and a 12V charging port.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such listicles and latest four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom price

Kia Motors, one of the newest entrant in India, decided to tap the premium MPV market of India and bridge the gap between the Innova and ultra-luxury entrants like the Mercedes-Benz V-Class/ Toyota Vellfire. It's contender is the Carnival MPV, which comes as the brand’s second offering in the Indian market. While the Kia Carnival is not a direct rival to the Innova Crysta, considering it's price point starts where Crysta’s tops-off, buyers tend to compare the two. Let's find out how these two different MPVs fair against each other in terms of size, power and features.

Design

Toyota Innova Crysta Design:

In terms of design, the Innova Crysta is among the better-looking MPVs out there. At the front, the car houses a large, blacked-out five-slat grille flanked by chrome borders. The bumpers have also been redesigned with repositioned fog lamps and indicator lights, along with a body-coloured faux skid plate at the bottom. The headlights and the LED DRLs now extend into the front grille. The side and rear profile remains similar with minor tweaks in the form of 16-inch (GX and VX variants) and 17-inch (ZX variant) alloy wheels with diamond-cut treatment. In the new Innova, the front bumper now comes fitted with sonar clearance to help ease parking hassle in tight spaces.

In terms of dimensions, the Toyota Innova Crysta measures 4735mm in length and 1830mm in width. The car stands 1795mm high and has a wheelbase of 2750mm. The car gets a boot space of 300-litres with all three rows up, and 900-litres with the third row folded.

Kia Carnival Design:

The Carnival comes as a brawny offering from Kia. The car measures more than 5.1m in length and stands tall and wide with an imposing stance. Even the wheelbase measure more than three metres. At the front, dominating the fascia is the large tiger-nose grille with a squared-off design. This is flanked by sleek yet large wrap-around headlamps. These headlamps get LED projector units while the fog lamps have, what Kia calls ice-cube DRLs, with blacked-off surrounds and chrome garnishing.

Similar to the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, the Carnival gets conventional MPV-like sliding passenger doors. But even with its boxy silhouette, the Carnival appears to be well-proportioned thanks to the floating roof design and the kink past the C-pillar. The car sits on a set of 18-inch wheels and there are two alloy wheel designs to choose from. At the rear, the squared-off tailgate is simple and lacks drama. Even the tail lamp design gets simple LED lighting and there are faux skid plates on the bumper to add to the rugged appeal. Currently, there are only three colour options to choose from – black, white and silver.

In terms of dimensions, the Kia Carnival is 5,115mm in length and 1,985mm wide. The car stands 1,740mm high with a wheelbase of 3,060mm. In terms of boot space, the Kia Carnival can free up to 540-litres with all three rows up, 1,624 litres with the third row folded and 2,759 litres with the second and the third row folded.

Cabin

Toyota Innova Crysta Cabin:

The Innova Crysta borrows none of its elements from its predecessor and has a cabin design similar to the expensive SUVs like Fortuner.  The cabin now gets an updated nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The seats on the higher-spec variants are wrapped in Camel Tan (beige) leather upholstery. Added vehicle connectivity features now include geo-fencing, real-time vehicle tracking and last parked locations.

The  Toyota Innova Crsyta is available in 6- and 7-seater configurations and is famed for its comfortable cabin for long distance travel.

Kia Carnival Cabin:

The Carnival can be had either in seven-, eight- and even a nine-seat configuration. Kia offers standup seats in the lower variants which fold upright allowing better ingress, while there’s something called ‘sinking seats’ which have got a clever mechanism that allows them to fold down flat on the floor. Then there are the Limousine’s VIP seats which are available only in the seven-seat configuration with special reclining and sliding adjustments, along with leg extension.

The cabin of the top-spec Limousine variant gets Napa leather upholstery, soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door pads as well. Speaking of practicality, there are many usable storage places present all around the cabin as well including a dual glovebox. Behind the leather-wrapped steering wheel, two analogue dials flank a MID screen. Dominating the dash is an 8-inch touchscreen system which has a user interface similar to what you get in Hyundai vehicles.

Engine

Toyota Innova Crysta Engine:

In terms of powertrain, the Toyota offers the Innova Crysta with the same petrol and diesel engines as before. This means on offer is a 2.7-litre petrol engine that outputs 166 PS and 245 Nm of torque and 2.4-litre diesel that delivers 150 PS and 360 Nm of torque. Both are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and offer a 6-speed torque converter unit as an option.

Kia Carnival Engine:

Kia offers a single powertrain in the Carnival. This means on offer is a 2.2-litre diesel engine that develops 200 PS and 440 Nm and is offered with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Pricing

Toyota Innova Crysta Price:

The Toyota Innova Crysta comes in 18 variants. Price for the entry-level GX 7-seater variant starts at INR 16.27 lakh*. Meanwhile, the top-rung ZX 7-seater variant with automatic transmission goes up to INR 24.34 lakh*.

Kia Carnival Price:

Prices for the Carnival starts at INR 24.95 lakh* for the Premium 7-seater variant, while prices for the most number of seating (9) goes up to INR 29.95 lakh*. The top-rung 7-seater Limousine variant costs INR 33.95 lakh*.

*Ex-showroom prices

Commenting on the technology superiority, Kookhyun Shim, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kia Motors India said,

"For today's internet-savvy generation, a car should be their extension in every aspect including connectivity which can ease mobility. Our advanced UVO connect technology is a breakthrough effort in this direction which integrates smart devices with our cars for enabling a seamless, safer and memorable drive experience. Technology has always been at the focal point since our maiden launch in the country and we are elated to achieve one more milestone in car connectivity."

Also Read : Nissan Magnite vs Kia Sonet Acceleration Test - Shocking Results!

Kia offers you a free three-year subscription of the UVO Connect feature with every connected car you buy from Kia Motors. The UVO Connect app gives users access to 57 unique features. That includes remote engine start/stop where you can remotely start or stop the engine through a app on your mobile or even pre-cool your cabin from your phone using the 'remote smart pure air on' feature. It also offers other convenience features such as auto collision notification, live car tracking, geo-fencing and more.

With Kia launching the Sonet sub-compact SUV earlier this year, it very quickly climbed up the sales charts becoming the best-selling sub-compact SUV in the country in November with over 11,417 units sold. The Sonet hugely helped Kia with growing sales in India and also contributed to the numbers of cars sold with the UVO Connect tech. Available with a wide range of powertrain options and trims to choose from, the Sonet is the most feature rich car in its segment. It was bound to be runaway success.

Currently, Hyundai and Kia are the leading manufacturers with connected car tech in the mass market, while other carmakers are yet to catch up. Both Hyundai and Kia offer this feature across a wide range of their products. Other manufacturers like MG Motors, Nissan and Tata too offer connected car tech with some of their models. While its a fancy feature to have, we still doubt the rear world relevance of such features.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Kia updates and other four-wheeler news.

Kia Carnival Offers

Following are the offers that are available with the Kia Carnival:

• Exchange bonus of INR 80,000
• 3-year/unlimited km maintenance package worth INR 48,000
• Corporate benefits worth up to INR 46,000
• Rear seat entertainment package worth INR 36,560 (available only with Premium and/or Prestige variants

Kia Carnival Finance Schemes

Kia is providing the following 3 finance schemes with the Carnival:

• 90-day EMI holiday (begin paying EMI 90 days after purchase)
• Low EMI with monthly instalments as low as INR 767 for the first 6 months of the tenure
• Flexible EMI scheme with 50% lower EMI cost for the first 3 months of every year of the loan tenure

The Kia Carnival is available in 5 variants with at a starting price of INR 24.95 lakh (ex-showroom). It comes with a plethora of features such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, 3.5-inch MID, LED projector headlamps with LED position lamps, LED cabin lights, dual-panel electric sunroof, electric tailgate, and more. These features vary depending upon the variant.

Under the hood of the Kia Carnival is a 2.2-litre diesel engine which complies with the latest BS6 emission regulations. It has been tuned to produce 200 PS of maximum power at 3800 rpm and 440 Nm of peak torque between 1500-2750 rpm. The gearbox here is an 8-speed AT.

Also Read: Kia Sonet TVC Highlights Some Of Its Important Features

In other news, Kia is all prepared to launch the all-new Sonet in India on 18 September. The bookings of the compact SUV have already commenced. In fact, Kia received a total of 6,523 bookings for the Sonet on the first day itself.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Kia updates and other four-wheeler news.

[Source: autocarindia.com]

With its latest milestone, the company has become the fastest automaker in India to reach 1 lakh sales in India. It is to be noted that the Korean manufacturer achieved the mark with just two models in its lineup. The company claims that it has sold more than 50,000 connected cars in India.

Betting on the same success, Kia is set to launch its first stab at the hotly-contested compact SUV segment with the Sonet. The car was first unveiled in India at this year’s Auto Expo and will lock horns with some of the most popular models in the country including the Maruti Vitara Brezza.

While the model showcased at the Auto Expo was still in its concept form, we can expect what the car could sport in the flesh. Kia claims that except for its signature tiger-nose grille, the car will sport an all-new design. A few features that highlight its design include muscular wheel arches, a connected taillight unit, gold paint, darkened C-pillar and flush door handles.

Also Read: Kia Sonet Compact SUV - 5 Things You Need to Know

In terms of engine options, the car is most likely to derive the same options as its cousin, the Hyundai Venue. This means that on offer would be a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit delivering 120 PS and 171 Nm, a 1.5-litre petrol unit that produces 115 PS 144 Nm and a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel unit that puts out 115 PS and 250 Nm of torque. A 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic should be the transmission choices.

In addition to this, Hyundai’s iMT option that recently debuted on the Venue is also expected to make it to the Sonet.

The biggest change that we can spot is the shift from a cabin design which was started to get dated. Designed as per the 'Spacial Talents' concept, the all-new 2021 Kia Carnival now adopts a very classy, European-style cabin design. The first thing you’ll notice is that the new Carnival gets a side-by-side screen layout like some European high-end vehicles. You get a 12.3-nch touchscreen infotainment system with multiple phone connectivity softwares, sitting right next to a full-digital instrument console of the same size. The space below that is a largely clutter-free area and accommodates the re-designed AC vents, touch-sensitive temperature control and a familiar storage area housing the plug-in slots and wireless phone charger. The dashboard gets a wraparound-style design, while the driver seat has a lot of the controls angled towards it. Housed just below it, four AC vents are neatly tucked into a chrome-plated one-piece panel running the entire width of the car. Now, if we look towards the centre console, you’ll notice that there is no sign of a gear lever. That is because the new Carnival adopts a shift-by-wire mechanism and swaps a gear lever for a Jaguar-like rotary dial in order to shift through gear modes. The steering wheel too sees a new design, with the switch panel on the multi-function steering wheel finished in gloss black with re-designed buttons as well. In the second row of seats, the 2021 Kia Carnival adds more practicality to the mix thanks bac-of-seats USB chargers, nets to hold electronic devices and a new storage drawer at the base of the rear console.

Overall, the 2021 Kia Carnival steps up the model’s interior game up two notches. We expect it to be an extremely luxurious, cozy and comfortable place to be, based on our experiences of the current-generation long-term use. In terms of dimensions, the new model is 40mm longer, 10mm wider and gets a wheelbase which is 30mm longer. Of the overall increase in length, the rear overhang has grown by 30mm. The new 2021 Kia Carnival will be first launched South Korea by the third-quarter of 2020, eventually making its way to India by next year. Details about price increase and engine configuration are yet to be revealed.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Kia updates and other four-wheeler news.