Korean automobile company KIA made its debut in Pakistan in 1998 with Dewan Farooque Motor Company limited (DFML) and set their plant in Sujawal area of Sindh. DFML manufactured KIA spectra, KIA Sportage and Hyundai’s Santro Unfortunately in 2004, DFML had to face a severe downfall and declared defaulter group of around Rs 40 million so DFML had to stop manufacturing of vehicles in 2009. KIA made an entry to Pakistani automobile industry again after nine years in collaboration with Lucky Cement manufacturers (Yunus Brother Group) and assembled their plant in Pakistan to introduce their upcoming vehicles. KIA motors have launched local KIA Grand Carnival, KIA frontier and KIA sportage. KIA launched its Grand carnival in two variants LX and EX. It is running successfully with its MPV concept of 11 seats, front engine and front wheel drive. We will have a detail overview on this hatch back in Pakistani market.
Features and specifications of KIA Grand Carnival
KIA Grand Carnival is also known with the name of Kia Sedona in other parts of the world and it is available in two variants in Pakistan; LX and EX. Price range of KIA Grand Carnival 2019 is from 3.99 million to 4.79 million Pakistani rupees. It has a 3.3 liters DOHC powered twenty valve V6 engine generating 318 torque lb-ft at 5200 rpm and power of 270hp at 6000rpm. It has an overall length of 5115 millimeters, width of 1985 millimeters, and height of 1767 millimeters and ground clearance of 171. It offers 3342 cc engine with fuel tank capacity of eighty liters and maximum speed of 240 kilometers. Suspension of the car is highly advanced with front type of McPherson strut and back suspension type is torsion beam. Front brakes have ventilated disc axles while rear brakes have drum axles to give to provide better grip while driving.
It offers alloy wheels of eighteen inches. it have a spacious interior with seating capacity for eleven people. Beside this wonderful specifications, it offers all basic features like climate control, cruise control, defogger, defroster, central locking, child locks, key less entry, fog lights, dual sunroof, front and back parking assistance, illuminated vanity mirrors, LED room lamp, leather covering on gearbox and steering, air conditioning and heating system, power seats and steering traction control, airbags, entertainment system and automatic transmission type. Leather covering on front and back seats gives a stylish look to the interior. Exterior looks of the car is designed classic and Porsche with slight chrome touch on LED headlights and trapezium shaped back tail lights. Design is really modern and fancy.
Why you should buy KIA Grand Carnival 2019
Above mentioned features are sufficient enough to call it a luxurious MPV that offers all the basic features and safety precautions to its customers. It has a good fuel economy with the consumption of fifteen kilometers per liter on highways and twelve kilometers per liter in cities.it has anti- lock braking system for safe drive and control on your driving. Your driving skills are assisted with smooth control by hill start assist control. It offers air bags to driver and passengers to avoid any major damage from accidents, LED headlights are provided with DRLs and the side mirrors are easily folded by electric power easily. It has a marvelous infotainment system with seven inches TFT color touchscreen with total six speakers and options of CD/DVD player, AM/FM Radio/, mobile connectivity, USB port and rear view camera. it has power sliding doors that are easy to handle and control and it ensures stability by electronic stability control system. It is excellent car for big families providing all luxury features to its customers. It has a simple and elegant design that attracts the customers and it has a good value of money. it provides a comfortable ride to the people with its luxurious and comfortable seating.
It has a spacious interior and total eight adults and three children can travel easily in it because it has a good headroom and legroom for all three rows of seats. There is a fourth row too for carrying any cargo or passengers can also be accommodated there. You will not feel any bump or jerks in the drive because of the improved suspension. Ground clearance of the car is also good because despite carrying eight adults it didn’t create any hassle on bumpy roads. It can speed up from zero to hundred kilometers in just eleven seconds. There are 2 glove boxes placed on the dashboard, the lower one has cooling system. Cruise control system of this vehicle can be opt from sixty kilometers which is not seen in other vehicles because mostly vehicles offer cruise control option at 110 kilometers. Voice control command button is placed on the steering wheel and you easily answer your phone calls by pressing the voice button on steering wheel and connecting your mobile phone with infotainment system. One of the plus point of the car is its engine start that easily comes to life on the first start. There are two sunroofs in the car that adds a panoramic view to the vehicle. There are four parking assisting sensors on the front bumper to help you in parking. Fuel mileage can be increased on just tapping the Eco active button near the sensor button.
Drawbacks of the KIA Grand Carnival 2019
It is bit costly because customers usually not go for expensive vans in our country. Braking system in the car is disguise because the placed nearby accelerator and you have to push it for applying and releasing and it makes it very difficult to park the car perfectly due to its long length. Parking sensors placed on bumper usually make annoying noise in long time drive. Last row of the car is quite tricky to use and adults cannot sit easily in that row so it is suitable only for children. Driving becomes difficult because of its long length and experienced drivers are hired to drive the car. One of the main drawback of the car is in its maintenance value because spare parts of the car are very expensive and not easily available that makes it maintenance costly. Secondly the resale value of the car is also not promising and it has an average resale value that might cut down its price. It has to face a tough competition between Hyundai Grand and Toyota Hiace while the starting price of both the competitors is less than KIA Grand Carnival with Toyota Hiace 44.3 lacs Pakistani rupees starting price and Hyundai Grand Starex with 40 lacs Pakistani rupees whereas KIA Grand Carnival has a starting price of 46 lacs Pakistani rupees.
Conclusion
Despite some of the draw backs and a heavy competition between the rivals, KIA Carnival has luxury facilities of comfort, safety, and durability and driver assistance with advanced technology and unmatched fuel economy and we are hoping a good business for KIA Grand Carnival in Pakistan.