After two years of no new model launches from the Korean brand, Kia will launch a slew of new models in the month of October. The new-generation Kia Carnival and the all-electric Kia EV9 SUV will both be launched in India on October 3, marking the end of a dry spell for Kia India, its most recent new model being the EV6, which arrived in 2022. The Carnival, which was first showcased in India at the 2023 Auto Expo as the KA4, will come in facelift form, and the EV9 will jump straight to the top of Kia’s India portfolio by becoming the most expensive model ever.
New Kia Carnival: What to expect
The Kia Carnival will return to India in October as a completely knocked-down (CKD) kit, while the previous-generation model will be discontinued in 2023 ahead of the implementation of BS6 Stage II emission norms. The new generation Carnival, in facelifted form, has a more upright design with a revised grille and new vertically oriented headlights that include three-step light units and L-shaped LED daytime running lights. The bumper is also new, with a wider central air intake.
In overseas markets, the new Carnival features two 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and instrumentation, a head-up display, a rear entertainment system with a 14.6-inch HD screen, eight airbags and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), most of which are expected to be included in the India-spec model.
Globally, the new Carnival is available with 3.5-litre petrol and 1.6-litre petrol-hybrid and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. The previous generation Carnival was sold in India only with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, paired to an automatic transmission. The same might continue with the new generation as well. It is expected to be priced above Rs 40 lakh, while the top-spec model will be priced closer to Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom).
Kia EV9: What to expect
The Kia EV9 will be Kia’s second all-electric model for India. With over 5,000 mm in length, 1,980 mm in width and 1,755 mm in height, the EV9 is one of the largest passenger vehicles ever built by Kia. At 3,100 mm, its wheelbase is 200 mm longer than the Kia Telluride, the company’s largest combustion-engine SUV.
There are two battery options available with the EV9 abroad – a 76.1 kWh unit on the standard variant and a 99.8 kWh battery on the Long Range model. The standard EV9 is only available in single-motor, rear-wheel drive form, but the Long Range model is available in both single- and dual-motor versions. With a motor mounted on each axle, the EV9 has all-wheel drive capability, and has a maximum output of 380 bhp and 600 Nm of torque. In this configuration, the EV9 can sprint from 0-100 kmph in six seconds, which drops to 5.3 seconds with an over-the-air (OTA) software update that bumps up the torque to 700 Nm.
Kia says the EV9 Long Range will have a range of over 540 km on the WLTP cycle. In India, Kia is expected to launch a fully-equipped Long Range model, just like it launched the EV6 with a bigger battery option. The EV9 is likely to be priced above Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom), factoring in import duties.
Prices and Rivals
The 2024 Kia Carnival could be priced above Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom). It is expected to be a more luxurious and premium alternative to the Toyota Innova Hycross, while also being more affordable than luxury MPVs like the Toyota Vellfire and Lexus LM.
The Kia EV9 is expected to be priced around Rs 80 lakh (ex-showroom) and can be considered as an affordable alternative to luxury electric SUVs like the BMW iX and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
