Kia Carnival Rivalling Hyundai MPV In The Works

• We could get a Carnival-based Hyundai MPV.
• The carmaker plans to retain its SUV market share.
• If Hyundai goes ahead with the plan, expect a launch in 2021.

Hyundai has a wide range of SUVs from the Venue and Creta to Kona Electric and Tucson. The carmaker is also popular in the budget-end of the Indian automotive space with various hatchbacks and sedans. Although Hyundai had the Santa Fe and the Terracan in the premium segment, they are both long gone. At present, there is a void from the Korean carmaker in the premium space. According to a report, Hyundai could be eyeing the luxury MPV space to take on the Kia Carnival and the Toyota Innova Crysta.

Before you get your hopes up, we would like to report that Hyundai is studying the feasibility of a Carnival rival. If Hyundai finds a business case for such an MPV, we will most likely see a luxury MPV from Hyundai in 2021. Given the fact that Hyundai and Kia are part of one big family, we could also see a Hyundai version of the Kia Carnival.

Apparently, this is not the first time Hyundai is studying the possibility of an MPV. The plan was previously sacked due to unknown reasons. But the scenario is vastly different now. What was once a small segment with just the Innova Crysta is now vibrant with the inception of the Kia Carnival. That said, the Carnival is technically not a direct rival to the Toyota Innova Crysta as it is more of a luxury minivan than an MPV like the Innova. The Carnival is basically a stepping stone into the world of luxury MPVs, where the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and the recently launched Toyota Vellfire thrive.

With the Carnival, what Kia did was plug the enormous gap between the Toyota Innova and the V-Class. Since its inception, the Carnival has been getting positive responses throughout the country. Hyundai is focussing on its SUVs and plans to retain its current market share with emerging competition from various angles. The latest from the Korean marquee is the 2020 Creta, which has already garnered a lot of attention.

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