Kia India takes pre-bookings for Carnival hybrid and its first factory-fitted CNG models
Kia has begun accepting orders in India for a hybrid version of the Carnival and factory-built CNG versions of both Carens-based MPVs.
- ₹59,64,900
- 73.4hp and 304Nm
- 93hp and 123Nm
- 116 litres
What Happened
Kia India has begun taking pre-bookings for three vehicles: the Carnival hybrid, the Carens CNG and the Carens Clavis CNG. The hybrid Carnival is due to go on sale shortly, while Kia says the two CNG MPVs will get their prices in late September or early October 2026. Both gas models are the first in Kia's Indian range to be offered with a factory-fitted CNG kit; an earlier Carens could be had with CNG, but only as a dealer-level fitment. The Carnival hybrid will be sold in the Limousine+ trim, the same grade that is currently diesel-only.
Kia reveals details of the Carnival hybrid for the Indian market.
Pre-bookings open for the Carnival hybrid, the Carens CNG and the Carens Clavis CNG.
Kia is expected to announce prices for the Carens CNG and the Carens Clavis CNG.
The Carnival hybrid pairs a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine borrowed from the Sorento with an electric motor that Kia quotes at 73.4hp and 304Nm, a step up of 8.4hp and 40Nm. On its own the petrol engine makes 180hp and 265Nm, and the system drives through a six-speed torque converter automatic. Kia will keep the existing diesel alongside it: a 2.2-litre unit producing 193hp, matched to an eight-speed automatic. That diesel is the only powertrain the Limousine+ trim is currently sold with.
Both gas models share a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine that produces 93hp and 123Nm in gas mode, which is 22hp and 21Nm below the matching petrol version. Kia has not published fuel-efficiency numbers yet, though they are expected to fall somewhere around 22 to 25km per kg. A 60-litre CNG tank sits beneath the boot floor, trimming luggage room to 116 litres once all rows are in place, and a spare wheel is mounted under the body as well.
- 180hp and 265Nm from the engine, plus an electric motor rated at 73.4hp and 304Nm; six-speed torque converter automatic
- 193hp, eight-speed automatic; stays in the line-up next to the hybrid
- One trim, priced from ₹59,64,900 (starting MSRP)
- Eight airbags, a 360-degree camera, smart cruise control and lane keep assist
- 12.3-inch AVNT infotainment that brings Kia Connect, India maps and over-the-air software updates, plus a 12.3-inch full TFT cluster
- Second-row VIP seats with powered relaxation and leg support, dual sunroof, and power-operated sliding doors with a hands-free opening function
- An ADAS suite and an eight-speed Sportsmatic transmission
Why this matters
For Indian buyers the CNG Carens models mark a shift: the previous Carens could run on gas, but only through a kit installed at dealer level, not on the production line. The Carnival hybrid also adds a petrol-electric option to a nameplate currently sold in India only with a diesel engine. Prices for the two gas-powered people carriers have not been set, so the cost picture for buyers is still open.
Terms in This Story
- CNG
- Compressed natural gas, a fuel burned in adapted engines as an alternative to petrol or diesel.
- MPV
- Multi-purpose vehicle, a spacious car body style usually offering three rows of seats.
- ADAS
- Advanced driver assistance systems: cameras, radar and software that support driving and safety functions.
A brief summary; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.