Kia Carnival vs Toyota Innova Crysta: Should You Save Your Money Or Wait For The Premium MPV?

Kia Motors India is all set to launch the Carnival premium MPV on February 5 at Auto Expo 2020. The Carnival is expected to be priced from Rs 27 lakh (on-road) and doesn’t have any direct rival in the country. The closest competitor for the Carnival in India is the Toyota Innova Crysta. Considering that the Innova sits below the Carnival, we answer the most important question - should you spend extra dough for the Carnival? Let’s find out, shall we?

Dimensions:

The Kia Carnival is the bigger MPV in this test. It’s 380mm longer, 155mm wider and has a 310mm longer wheelbase. However, the Carnival is shorter than the Innova by 55mm. With its extra length, the Kia Carnival also has the larger boot in this comparison when compared to the Innova. 

Features:

In terms of features, both models come with a touchscreen infotainment, dual-zone climate control, steering-mounted audio controls, cruise control, keyless entry with push button start and a powered driver seat.

However, the Carnival is a step ahead as it offers rear entertainment screens, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a tri-zone climate control, connected car technology, a wireless phone charger, dual pane sunroof, electric sliding doors and a powered tailgate. 

Safety Features:

Both models come with safety features like six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, electronic stability control and hill start assist. While the Innova comes with a knee airbag for the driver, the Kia fights back with front parking sensors and an electric parking brake. 

Engine Options:

Under the hood, both models come with BS6-compliant engine options. The Kia Carnival comes with a smaller 2.2-litre CRDI unit, putting it at a slight disadvantage in terms of displacement. That said, the Kia’s engine develops 50PS and 80Nm more than the Innova. Transmission options for the Carnival include an 8-speed automatic while the Innova can be had with a 6-speed manual and automatic options. 

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Toyota Innova Crysta manual returns 15.57kmpl while the automatic variant does 14.88kmpl. Meanwhile, Kia is yet to reveal the Carnival’s official fuel efficiency figure.

Prices:

Until now, the Toyota Innova Crysta has been the only successful mass-market MPV in India. It’s known for its comfortable ride quality, excellent mile munching manners and an extremely high reliability record. Coupled with Toyota’s no-nonsense after sales, the Innova Crysta is the pillar for Toyota India.

The base-spec Kia Carnival is expected to be priced at Rs 25 lakh (ex-showroom), which would make it Rs 2 lakh more expensive than the top-spec Innova Crysta. We would advise you to spend the extra dough on the Kia as the Carnival is an impressive MPV in every regard. It feels more premium, luxurious and packs more features than the Innova Crysta. Yes, Kia’s long term after sales support is yet to be known. But the Carnival makes a good first impression, which could seal the deal.