Toyota Vellfire vs Kia Carnival Comparison: Luxury MPV Battle!

The Toyota Vellfire has long been the go-to luxury MPV, often equipped with the finest features the segment has to offer. It’s the preferred choice of the elite, offering comfort and sophistication in equal measure. Add to that the renowned reliability of the Toyota brand, and the Vellfire becomes an even more compelling package. However, there’s now a Korean challenger poised to disrupt the status quo of this Japanese giant. The Kia Carnival, which costs nearly half as much as the Vellfire, offers three rows of seating and an impressive array of features.

So, the question is – does the Vellfire really offer twice the luxury, features, and space to justify its price tag over the Carnival?

Toyota Vellfire vs Kia Carnival: Size Comparison

Despite being the more affordable of the two, the Carnival has a larger footprint. It’s not only longer and wider but also has a longer wheelbase. This translates to more boot space when all three rows of seats are in use. However, the Vellfire stands taller, offering more headroom – something that taller people will particularly appreciate. Its height, combined with an ornate chrome grille, gives the Vellfire a more imposing presence. In contrast, the Carnival features a longer bonnet and more flowing curves, which, in my opinion, make it the better-looking vehicle of the two. Likewise, while the Vellfire rides on 19-inch alloys compared to the Carnival’s 18-inch wheels, I prefer the darker, more stylish design of the latter.

Toyota Vellfire vs Kia Carnival: Interior Space

Both vehicles we tested featured a six-seater configuration. While the captain seats in the Carnival are quite comfortable and offer Ottoman support, adjusting them can be cumbersome. You have to manually slide the seat forward or backwards to create legroom, and to fully recline the seat, you must first pull a tab on the side and shift the entire seat inward.

The Vellfire, on the other hand, offers a far more seamless experience. Its seats rival those of a business-class airliner, with all adjustments available at the press of a button. The headroom on offer here is also noticeably better. That said, it’s impressive that the Carnival, despite costing half as much, still offers heated and ventilated second-row seats. However, the Vellfire offers even more luxury features, such as memory and massage function, and a pair of smartphone-like touch devices that control seat positioning, AC, lighting, and more. Even the sunblinds in the Vellfire are powered and cover the full window, unlike the manual blinds in the Carnival.

Oddly, in the Carnival, the second-row AC controls are placed on the roof panel toward the right side, making them a bit hard to reach. The approach to the sunroof differs significantly between the two. The Carnival features conventional dual sunroof panels, both of which can be opened, enhancing the sense of space and airiness in the cabin. In contrast, the Vellfire opts for two slimmer, fixed glass panels. While this design lends a more refined and upscale appearance and also discourages the unsafe habit of sticking one’s head out of a moving vehicle, I find that the Carnival’s traditional sunroof setup contributes more to an open, spacious feel inside the cabin.

No Child’s Play

Move to the third row, and the Vellfire once again offers a more comfortable experience. By sacrificing some boot space, it provides ample legroom, even for passengers up to 6 feet tall. While under-thigh support is lacking in both vehicles, the Vellfire’s third row is genuinely usable for longer journeys. These seats can also be slid forward or backwards to further optimise space.

Also Read: Toyota Vellfire Review: When Space is Luxury

Accessing the third row is easier in the Vellfire as well. A simple pull of a tab slides the second-row seat forward, allowing for an easy ingress. Doing the same in the Carnival requires a bit more effort – you first need to shift the second-row seats outward, then carefully squeeze through the gap between them, which can be a challenge even for a reasonably fit adult. That said, both vehicles offer conveniences like AC vents, USB-C charging ports, and cup holders in the.

Features Galore

As one might expect, the Vellfire’s higher price tag brings with it a clear advantage in terms of features. It has a larger 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system compared to the Carnival’s 12.3-inch unit. Additionally, the Vellfire offers an extra roof-mounted screen for second-row passengers, enhancing the rear-seat experience.

Both vehicles come equipped with premium sound systems, but the Vellfire’s 15-speaker JBL setup delivers noticeably richer tone and clarity than the Carnival’s 12-speaker Bose system. The Vellfire also includes thoughtful touches like retractable tray tables built into the captain seats, complete with integrated vanity mirrors. Then there are a number of ways to open and close the Vellfire’s powered sliding doors, which is rather cool. You can do it via the handle on the door itself, buttons on the roof, or buttons next to the driver.

That said, the Carnival has some clever tricks of its own. The driver’s seat offers a 14-way power adjustment, while the Vellfire has an 8-way setup. The Carnival also features a more intuitive third-row stowage system – a single lever collapses the seats into the boot cavity – than the Vellfire’s cumbersome system, which involves straps and sideways lifting of the seats. While the Vellfire wins on screen size, the Carnival’s infotainment interface is arguably more user-friendly and responsive. And in a surprising twist, the Carnival comes with eight airbags, compared to just six in the Vellfire.

Getting Down to Business

The Carnival and Vellfire take very different approaches to propulsion. The Carnival is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine, while the Vellfire employs a 2.5-litre petrol-hybrid setup. Both deliver 190bhp, but the Carnival, being a diesel, produces much more torque. Each vehicle strikes its own balance between power and efficiency, but the driving experience they offer couldn’t be more different.

The Vellfire is notably more refined in its operation, delivering power in a smooth and linear fashion. However, its tall profile and softly tuned suspension result in noticeable body roll, especially around corners. The Carnival, by contrast, feels more responsive and eager at low speeds. Its lower centre of gravity and firmer suspension tuning lend it the driving dynamics that make it feel more like a long sedan rather than a lazy MPV. In terms of ride quality, both vehicles are very comfortable, but the Vellfire edges ahead with a plusher, more luxurious feel. It glides over potholes almost effortlessly, keeping occupants isolated from road imperfections in a near-magical manner.

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Cabin noise is another area where the Vellfire holds an advantage. Its petrol engine runs quieter than the Carnival’s diesel, and its overall cabin insulation is also superior. Aside from the occasional CVT groan under hard acceleration, the Vellfire remains impressively quiet. Its hybrid system also allows for short bursts of electric-only driving, adding to the calm, EV-like silent experience.

Toyota Vellfire vs Kia Carnival: Verdict

So, does the Vellfire offer twice the experience of the Carnival? Absolutely not. But it’s important to understand that around the ₹1 crore mark, you begin to hit diminishing returns, regardless of the segment. At ₹63.91 lakh (ex-showroom), the Carnival is a very well-rounded people mover. It offers strong driving dynamics and exceptional value for money, making it the more sensible choice for most buyers.

That said, if you have the budget to spare, the Vellfire is a compelling upgrade. With prices starting at ₹1.22 crore and going up to ₹1.33 crore for the VIP variant we tested, it’s far from an affordable option. However, that premium buys you an undeniably elevated experience – a quieter, more refined ride, more space and greater comfort in all three rows, and a cabin that exudes luxury.

While the Carnival is ideally suited for families looking for practicality and comfort, the Vellfire makes more sense for businesses that want to transport high-profile clients in style and opulence.