Kia Carens: With a global debut in 2021 for the India-made model, the Kia Carens is very much a genre-bender, mixing MPV traits with the stylings of an SUV.
Marketed as a “recreational vehicle” by the Korean maker, the Carens is aimed at young families who need space but want to avoid the utilitarian image often attached to people movers.
Design Approach
The Carens which is at the same level as the rest of Kia’s SUV lineup features the latest in Kia’s design ethos while still standing out against its siblings.
Up front, its design presents the brand’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille in a softer interpretation and is mounted with split LED headlamps, an identity-shaped light signature DRL signature in star-map.
The linked LED taillamps are spread across the width of the vehicle giving a unique and premium appeal from the rear.
Being a three-row model doesn’t mean the Carens has the classic boxy MPV shape, as it’s actually quite a clever piece of proportioning.
The long 2780mm wheelbase ensures interior space while the gently raking roofline and well-defined character lines keeping visual mass in check.
In addition, the strategic application of black cladding on the wheel arches and lower sections of the car also contributes to the overall design gesture, giving the model a crossover-styled appearance compared with typical MPVs.
Cabin Experience
The interior is where the Carens excels, with function and form equally well-matched.
The dash card is set up in layers and is enhanced with ambient lighting, soft touch materials and metallic accents, all of which contribute to premium niceties.
The minimalist center console is home to a 10.25-inch touchscreen which is integrated flush in the dash, not of the “floating” style often found in many rivals.
A few of the cabin highlights are:
Access to third row made easy with one-touch tumble second row seats
Front seats ventilation with multi-level power adjustment
BOSE sound system premium 8-speaker system
Tri-zone automatic climate control with third-row dedicated first second and third row outlets
Folding tray tables that slide in with your cup holders.
Check out this air purifier with virus and bacteria reduction
64-color interior ambient lightingextracomment Optional 64-color ambient lighting system
The new three-row layout fits seven adults to genuine accommodation: the second-row seat slides and reclines, trading off space between passengers.
Focus has been on passenger volume but the Carens still has respectable boot space with all seven seats in use.
Performance Characteristics
The Carens comes with a choice of three engines – 115bhp 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 140bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol and 115bhp 1.5-litre diesel.
The transmission duties are performed by a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT or 6-speed torque converter automatic (depending on the engine).
There is no all-wheel-drive availability, and the front-wheel-drive architecture is aimed at comfort rather than sportiness, with the suspension setup calibrated more for stability and ride comfort than dynamic handling.
The electrically boosted steering is not overboosted and while it’s more than adequately communicative, it’s also quite light for city usage. Despite its size, the turning radius is tight so you can maneuver through crowded indoor spaces.
Pros of the Kia Carens
Flexible seating: It actually seats adults in the third row.
Practical Innovations: Retractable trays and cup holders, side sunshades and one-touch tumble seats ease the journey.
Plus Interior: Materials, ambient lighting, fit-finish are all above par for the segment.
Safety Gear: Six airbags and the category charting electronic stability control are standard on all versions.
Drivetrain Options: The choice of engine and transmission configurations make it possible to accommodate a wide range of usage and driver preference.
Cons of the Kia Carens
Suspension Tuning: The relaxed tune also causes a fair amount of body roll in the twisties.
Feature Spread: There are certain features that are present only in the top variants and to get access to them you have to pay significantly more.
Third-row Access Accessibility for the third row, despite one-touch tumble seats, requires the flexibility of a Houdini.
Fuel Efficiency Tradeoffs: It’s a sprightly performer but in city, the turbo-petrol engine offers humble fuel efficiency.
Over-Loaded With Digital Controls: Important controls you’d like to access without taking your eyes of the road are hidden in touch-interface menus rather than hard buttons.
Kia Carens: Market Impact
The Carens occupies a sweet spot between regular MPVs such as the Maruti Ertiga and full-blown three-row SUVs, like the Tata Safari.
This smart little bit of stanza positioning has allowed Kia to pull buyers from across the board — families moving up from premium hatchbacks, MPV users after something more refined and SUV buyers who need room more than ride height.
The aggressive pricing Kia adopted at the time of launch made the Carens’ case even more compelling, but price cuts have brought the model into line with its rivals.
Even so, the vehicle’s practical-yet-futuristic formula still seems to strike a chord with Indian buyers caught in the confused middle of established vehicle segments.
With the All-New Carens, the global car manufacturer has yet again proved that they can tweak global platforms to suit the Indian market demand and depict their increasing competences to understand the local customers more efficiently.
