EXCLUSIVE: Kia Carens Targeting Minimum 4 Stars In Global NCAP Crash Test

• If it succeeds, it would be better than the Ertiga and Seltos, both of which scored three stars.
• It would be equivalent to the Marazzo’s four-star safety rating.
• Standard safety features on the Carens include six airbags, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system, and hill descent control.
• Kia Carens to go on sale later this month.

One appreciable factor about the Carens is the availability of standard safety features like six airbags, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system, and hill descent control. Probably keeping these in mind, Kia is targeting a minimum of a four-star Global NCAP safety rating for the upcoming people mover, as revealed in a leaked document recently.

If the Carens manages to score four stars in the Global NCAP safety test, it would better the scores of the Seltos and Ertiga, both of which managed to get three stars, and the same as the Marazzo, which also scored four. 

According to the leaked document, the confidence that Kia has on the safety of the Carens is thanks to its strong internal testing data, for e.g. the benefits accorded by the extensive use of high strength steel to beef up the structure. 

The Carens will be Kia’s fourth model to go on sale in India after the Seltos, Carnival, and Sonet. Pre-launch bookings are already underway and the Carens has managed to rack up over 7,500 bookings on its opening day itself. The people mover will be offered in five broad trims: Premium, Prestige, Prestige Plus, Luxury, and Luxury Plus.

As standard, the Carens is a 7-seater, while the top-spec Luxury Plus gets the option of a 6-seater with captain seats for the middle row. An useful feature is the presence of a segment-first electronic tumble for the left side middle row seat, which facilitates easier access to the third row. Speaking of which, you can read our detailed variant-wise features of the Carens here. 

The Carens will be powered by the Seltos’ 115PS/250Nm 1.5-litre diesel, 115PS/144Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, and a 140PS 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine options. A 6-speed manual will be offered as standard, while the diesel and turbo-petrol engines can be had with an optional 6-speed torque converter and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic respectively. 

To know what we think about the Kia Carens, read our in-depth first drive review. Prices are likely to start from Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom), putting it in contention with the Mahindra Marazzo, Maruti Suzuki XL6, and select variants of the Hyundai Alcazar, Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari, and MG Hector Plus.