Kia Carnival Maestro Edition: The premium MPV segment in India has long been dominated by a single name, but Kia’s latest offering might just change that narrative.
The Korean manufacturer has unveiled the 2025 Carnival Maestro Edition – a significant enhancement to its flagship people-mover that elevates luxury, technology, and versatility to unprecedented levels in the segment.
After spending three days with the Carnival Maestro across highways, city streets, and winding hill roads, it’s clear that Kia has listened carefully to customer feedback.
while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a family-oriented vehicle. This isn’t merely a facelift or feature addition – it represents a comprehensive rethinking of premium family transportation.
Design Evolution: Stately Yet Dynamic
The Carnival has always been a handsome vehicle, eschewing the awkward proportions that sometimes plague MPVs for a more SUV-inspired aesthetic. The Maestro Edition builds upon this foundation with subtle yet effective enhancements that reinforce its premium positioning.
Up front, the signature ‘tiger nose’ grille grows slightly larger and now features a distinctive mesh pattern with chrome-finished diamond elements.
It’s flanked by redesigned LED headlamps with more angular daytime running lights that create a distinctive light signature. The lower bumper incorporates larger air intakes with satin silver surrounds, while hood creases have been sharpened to create a more commanding presence.
Along the sides, the Maestro Edition rides on new 19-inch dual-tone machined alloy wheels featuring a complex multi-spoke design that speaks to the vehicle’s premium aspirations.
A chrome beltline extends from the A-pillar to the D-pillar, visually lengthening the vehicle while emphasizing its horizontal proportions.
The power sliding doors now feature flush handles that emerge when approached with the key fob – a small but significant touch that enhances both aesthetics and aerodynamics.
At the rear, connected LED taillights span the width of the tailgate with a distinctive lighting pattern that activates during startup and shutdown.
The lower bumper incorporates subtle chrome accents and hidden exhaust outlets, maintaining the clean design language while adding visual interest.
Available in seven colors including the Maestro-exclusive Gravity Blue and Deep Forest (a rich emerald green with subtle metallic flecks), the 2025 Carnival makes a sophisticated statement without resorting to ostentation.
Powertrains: Performance Meets Efficiency
Under the hood, the Carnival Maestro offers two powertrain options. The familiar 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine continues as the mainstay of the lineup, delivering 200 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque.
It now benefits from engineering refinements that reduce noise, vibration, and harshness while improving fuel efficiency by approximately 8% over the previous iteration.
The headline addition, however, is an all-new hybrid powertrain combining a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 242 horsepower and 367 Nm of torque.
This system incorporates a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery that enables limited electric-only operation at low speeds and supports the combustion engine during acceleration.
Both powertrains come paired with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. During our testing, the diesel variant demonstrated impressive refinement with barely perceptible idle vibration and minimal noise intrusion under acceleration.
The hybrid offers a different character – not quite as torquey as the diesel but with superior smoothness and slightly more eager throttle response.
Fuel efficiency figures stand at 14.8 km/l for the diesel and an impressive 18.6 km/l for the hybrid (ARAI certified) – remarkable numbers considering the vehicle’s size and weight.
Despite its substantial dimensions, the Carnival Maestro handles with surprising composure through corners, while the well-calibrated suspension absorbs road imperfections without sacrificing body control.
Interior: First-Class Travel for All Occupants
Step inside the Carnival Maestro, and you’re greeted by an interior that rivals premium sedans in material quality and execution. The dashboard features a horizontal orientation dominated.
a panoramic display combining a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen under a single curved glass panel.
Physical buttons remain for climate controls and key vehicle functions – a thoughtful acknowledgment that touchscreens aren’t always ideal while driving.
The materials throughout the cabin represent a significant upgrade, with genuine leather upholstery (quilted in the highest trim), open-pore wood accents, and brushed aluminum.
trim replacing the piano black surfaces that showed fingerprints too readily in the previous model. Ambient lighting with 64 colors creates a customizable atmosphere after dark.
The Maestro Edition offers three seating configurations:
The 7-seater option features second-row “VIP” seats with power adjustment, ventilation, heating, and extendable ottomans that deliver a business-class experience
The 8-seater arrangement replaces these with two captain’s chairs offering slightly less adjustment but maintaining excellent comfort
The 9-seater version adds a third seat to the second row, maximizing people-moving capacity
Regardless of configuration, the third row offers surprising comfort even for adult occupants, with adequate legroom, good thigh support, and dedicated climate control zones.
When not needed, the third row folds flat into the floor, creating an expansive cargo area that can accommodate large items with ease.
Thoughtful touches abound throughout the cabin – from the conversation mirror that allows the driver to monitor rear passengers without turning around to the dual moonroofs that flood the interior with natural light.
Storage compartments seem almost limitless, with generous door pockets, multiple cupholders, dedicated smartphone storage, and clever compartmentalized spaces throughout.
Technology: Comprehensive Connectivity
The Carnival Maestro embraces technology with Kia’s latest-generation infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, natural voice recognition, and over-the-air update capability. The system responds promptly to inputs and features an intuitive interface that minimizes driver distraction.
A standout feature is the dual 10.1-inch entertainment screens mounted on the front seatbacks, allowing second-row passengers to enjoy different content simultaneously.
These screens support screen mirroring from smartphones and tablets, HDMI input, and various streaming services when connected to the vehicle’s built-in 4G LTE hotspot.
The 12-speaker Bose premium audio system delivers impressive sound quality throughout the cabin, with a dedicated amplifier and subwoofer ensuring rich bass response without distortion at higher volumes.
Kia Connect services have been enhanced for the Maestro Edition with remote vehicle functions, destination sharing, and vehicle health monitoring.
A particularly useful addition is the “Find My Car” feature that uses augmented reality to guide owners to their vehicle in crowded parking areas.
Safety: Protection and Prevention
Safety receives significant attention in the Carnival Maestro with Kia’s most comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. These include:
Forward collision avoidance with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction detection
Blind-spot monitoring with collision avoidance
Rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking
Lane keeping assist and lane following assist
Highway driving assist with intelligent speed limit recognition
Safe exit assist that prevents doors from opening if approaching traffic is detected
360-degree camera system with 3D view function
The Maestro Edition also introduces Kia’s Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing the vehicle to be moved forward or backward from outside using the key fob – particularly useful in tight parking spaces where door opening might be difficult.
Structural enhancements and the use of high-strength steel in critical areas complement the active safety features, while eight airbags (including side curtains for all three rows) provide comprehensive protection in the event of a collision.
Practicality: The Heart of the Matter
Despite its luxury aspirations, the Carnival remains fundamentally practical. The power sliding doors can be operated via the key fob, buttons on the dashboard, handles.
a gesture under the doors (by waving your foot) when your hands are full. The tailgate features similar flexibility with power operation and adjustable height settings.
With all seats in place, the luggage area offers 627 liters of space – sufficient for multiple suitcases. With the third row folded, this expands to 2,150 liters, while removing the second-row seats creates a van-like 4,110 liters of capacity capable of handling furniture or sporting equipment with ease.
Variants and Pricing
The 2025 Carnival Maestro Edition is available in four trim levels:
Prestige: The entry-level variant focusing on essential features
Premium: Adding advanced convenience features and enhanced materials
Luxury: Incorporating most technology and comfort features
Signature: The flagship variant with all available luxury and technology features
Pricing starts at Rs. 35.99 lakh for the Prestige diesel, ranging to Rs. 48.99 lakh for the Signature hybrid variant (ex-showroom). While not inexpensive, this positioning reflects the vehicle’s premium nature while undercutting similarly equipped luxury SUVs by a considerable margin.
Conclusion: The Modern Family Flagship
With the 2025 Carnival Maestro Edition, Kia has created a compelling alternative for large families or executives who prioritize space and comfort over the high-riding position of traditional SUVs.
It excels as both a practical people-mover and a luxury conveyance, with few of the compromises typically associated with vehicles trying to serve multiple purposes.
In a market increasingly dominated by three-row SUVs, the Carnival Maestro makes a strong case for the traditional MPV format by demonstrating how thoughtful engineering and design can overcome the segment’s historically utilitarian image.
For buyers seeking maximum space, comfort, and versatility wrapped in a premium package, the Carnival Maestro deserves serious consideration – not merely as an alternative to other MPVs, but as a legitimate competitor to luxury SUVs costing significantly more.