Not exactly a Carnival for Kia in India at the moment

Kia Carnival is one of the most popular SUVs in the Indian market.

This has been the case ever since the Korean giant launched the seven-seater mammoth on Indian roads a few summers ago.

It’s pitted directly against the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Vellfire, and the trio forms the dominant discourse on urban Indian roads.

However, at the moment, it’s anything but a gala carnival time at the Kia stable.

The reason for that boils down to a technical issue with the Carnival that the South Korean giant is actively working on resolving.

Due to a technical fault with the car’s assisted steering system, dozens of Kia Carnival models have been recalled by the brand, which isn’t good news.

That’s because the 2024 Kia Carnival, also known as the Kia KA4 in Australia, will need some repairs.

Regarding the recall, the brand issued a statement that read as follows:

“Due to a manufacturing defect, the main wiring harness may come in contact with the steering column shaft and become damaged. This may result in the loss of power-assisted steering.”

The Kia Carnival had just recently been launched in India at a base price of over INR 63 lakhs, which is roughly about 691,940 US dollars.

Equipped with expansive seating and combining great maneuverability with ease of handling, the Carnival didn’t take long to become a firm favorite among the premium segment in the Indian auto space.

However, in line with the technical glitch, sales will be somewhat hampered.

That said, the bold new SUV-inspired look did seem to hold the car in good stead for a vastly competitive market such as India. Nevertheless, what happens to the brand in the near future will depend on how quickly the South Korean car major can rectify the fault and re-deliver a product that inspires envy and turns heads.