Next-gen Kia Carnival teased ahead of world premiere

• New Kia Carnival will be unveiled later this year.
• Latest Carnival sports an all-new design
• India launch only by 2022.

Kia Motors has revealed a first teaser image of the next-gen Carnival MPV, which will see a world premiere in the third quarter of 2020.  Not to be mistaken with the recently launched Carnival sold in India, the model showed in the teaser is an all-new vehicle that will replace the current version in the future.

What's new on the next-gen Kia Carnival?

As the teaser makes clear, the new Carnival will carry a fresh design that will bring the look in line with Kia’s latest models. While the rendering shows the MPV with a squat stance, courtesy of the oversized wheels, the flat surfacing and clean lines are the biggest takeaways from the teaser. Kia calls the new design language as ‘Symphonic architecture’.  

The teaser also shows the latest iteration of Kia's signature Tiger nose grille taking pride of place up front, flanked by LED lights. Blackened pillars should lend the MPV a floating roof look, while lower down there’s a strong shoulder line that runs the length of the Carnival linking the front and rear lights.

Will the new Carnival be bigger?

Going by what we know, the Carnival is set to be about 40mm longer than the current model, pushing the length to 5,150mm.  The new Carnival will also grow in wheelbase – a 30mm increase to 3,090mm is rumoured. Additionally, there are talks of the MPV being wider by 10mm as well.

What else can be expected on the new Carnival?

With the next-gen Carnival, Kia will cater to multiple sub-segments within the MPV market. Lower-spec versions with a high seating capacity (up to 11 seats) could be pitched to tour operators, while fully-loaded versions will go one up on the current Limousine variant as a possible alternative to models like the Toyota Vellfire. This new range-topping variant will get a four-seat configuration, with a pair of fully adjustable captain’s chairs in the second row. Expect the seats to offer heating and ventilation functions, and an electric recline feature.

What engine options will power the new Carnival?

Details on the engine options for the next-gen MPV are scarce at the moment. However, we expect the model to come with an updated version of the 2.2-litre diesel in some markets.  Additionally, the new Carnival will most likely also get the 280hp, 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine from the latest Kia Sorento, as well as a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid.

When will the next-gen Carnival come to India?

The new Carnival will get its official reveal only later this year with sales expected to commence in early 2021. India will likely only see the next-gen Carnival in 2022.

The current Kia Carnival went on sale in February 2020 and has seen fair demand, with top-spec Limousine versions leading in sales.

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