MG M9 vs Kia Carnival: Luxury MPV Showdown – Price, luxury Features, specs compared

JSW MG Motor India recently launched the much-anticipated MG M9 luxury electric MPV in the Indian market at an attractive price of Rs 69.9 lakh (ex-showroom). The M9 will be sold exclusively through the MG Select premium retail network and is available in a single, fully loaded variant. It is the first model to be offered under the MG Select banner, with the Cyberster set to follow as the second. The M9 also holds the distinction of being India’s first all-electric luxury MPV.

The Pre-bookings for the M9 are already underway, interested customers can book by paying a token amount of Rs 51,000. Bookings can be made through 13 MG Select dealerships located in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, or via the company’s official website. The MG M9 competes with the Kia Carnival and Toyota Vellfire MPVs in the Indian market. In this article, let’s compare the M9 with the Kia Carnival in terms of features, dimensions, specs and more.

MG M9 vs Kia Carnival: Price, variantsThe MG M9 will be available in the Indian market in a single, fully loaded trim priced at Rs 69.9 lakh (ex-showroom, introductory). The Kia Carnival is offered in single-fully loaded Limousine trim and is priced at Rs 63.8 lakh (ex-showroom). Both MPVs are brought to India via the CKD route. When prices are compared, the MG M9 is about Rs 6.1 lakh more expensive than the Kia Carnival.

MG M9 vs Kia Carnival: DimensionsComparing the dimensions next, the MG M9 measures 5,200 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width, 1,800 mm in height, 3,200 mm wheelbase, boot space of 945 litres, front frunk of 55 litres, 19-inch puncture-proof conti-seal tires and will be offered in three-rows/6-7 seat layout options.

The Kia Carnival measures 5,155 mm in length, 1,995 mm in width, 1,775 mm in height, 3,090 mm wheelbase, a boot space of 540 litres, 18-inch tires and is offered in a 7-seat (2+2+3) configuration. The second row will get captain seats, and the third row will feature a bench seat. Overall, the MG M9 is larger in every dimension, offers significantly more boot space, and adds a front frunk for extra storage, making it the more spacious and practical option on paper.

MG M9 vs Kia Carnival: FeaturesFeatures-wise, the Carnival gets dual 12.3-inch curved displays for infotainment and instrument cluster, three-zone climate control, a head-up display, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, connected car tech, a 4-spoke steering wheel, dual electric sunroofs, second-row captain seats with heating and ventilation, a 12-way powered driver’s seat, powered tailgate, power sliding rear doors and much more.

The M9 gets considerably more features and luxury when compared to the Carnival. It gets two sunroofs—a single-pane design for the front and a dual-pane unit for the rear—along with powered front and rear seats offering heating, ventilation, massage functions, and fold-out ottoman support. Additional highlights include powered rear-sliding doors and rear entertainment screens. Safety-wise, it gets multiple airbags, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, disc brakes on all four wheels, and an electronic parking brake. Additionally, it will also feature a Level-2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite, which includes features like adaptive cruise control and forward collision avoidance assist and more.

MG M9 vs Kia Carnival: PowertrainThe MG M9 is an all-electric MPV. It features a front-wheel-drive layout powered by a front-mounted motor and a 90kWh lithium battery. The motor delivers 245hp and 350 Nm of torque, with a claimed WLTP range of 430km.

The Carnival is powered by a sole 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, CRDi turbocharged diesel engine with 193hp of power and 441Nm of torque. The engine comes paired with an 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox which sends power to the front wheels. The official ARAI-rated fuel efficiency of the new Carnival is 14.85kpl.