Kia Carens: All Details Explained In 10 Images

The Kia Carens has been globally revealed as the carmaker’s next model for India. Alongside the Hyundai Alcazar, the Carens rivals 7-seater SUVs such as the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV700, and MG Hector Plus. It’s likely to be powered by the Seltos’ 1.4-litre turbo petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines and will be launched in early 2022. 

Read ahead for all the details in ten images: 

The Carens is based on the same platform as the Alcazar, but while the latter closely resembles the Creta it’s based on, the Carens looks more like an all-new vehicle. For one, it lacks the aggressive SUV-like styling of the Seltos and Sonet. Instead, it looks more sedate with its large headlamps, sleek front fascia and MPV-like stance. Kia calls the Carens an RV, or ‘recreational vehicle’.  

View it from the profile, and the Carens’ people carrier aesthetic seems even more prominent. It has sharp creases on the front and rear fenders, and body cladding all around. Kia has given it rear wheel disc brakes, and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is standard across all variants. The Carens will be offered in the following colours: Imperial Blue, Moss Brown, Intense Red, Sparkling Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Gravity Grey and Glacier White Pearl. Of these, the brown and blue colours are exclusive to the Carens. 

The new 16-inch alloy wheels, shod with 205-section tyres, are smaller than the 18-inchers on the Alcazar. 

A larger windshield sits on a tailgate that’s more upright than the Seltos. The large LED tail lamps are incredibly detailed, with vertical and horizontal lighting elements, and connected by a strip that runs across the width of the tailgate. Overall, the aesthetic is clean and minimalist, with substantial chrome louvres placed at the bottom of the rear bumper. 

Inside, the Kia Carens features a wraparound dashboard with trim elements that extend to the doors. A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen is neatly integrated in the centre of the dash. Below that, the centre vents are concealed by another trim piece, a strip of silver that runs across the width of the dash. 

The Kia Carens is the first three-row people mover in the segment that offers six airbags across all variants. Front passengers get an integrated centre armrest that’s equipped with a fan speed dial and a pair of USB-C ports accessible to second-row passengers. A sunroof is offered, but it’s not panoramic, so it’ll likely be more enjoyable for the first and second row passengers. 

In the second row, the Kia Carens offers captain chairs for a 6-seater layout and a bench seat in the 7-seater version. The captain chairs get integrated headrests and armrests, and second-row passengers are kept cool with roof-mounted circular air vents. To ease ingress into the third row, the second row has an electronic auto-fold function – a first for the segment. 

Third-row passengers get the safety of adjustable headrests and three-point seatbelts. Thanks to a theatre-like seating layout, the last row bench has a higher hip point and legroom for adult passengers. 

Kia hasn’t told us yet what’s under the Kia Carens SUV’s bonnet, but this gear shifter and the ‘7 DCT’ badge on the tailgate might be a hint that the Seltos’ 1.4-litre turbo petrol is one of the engines that will be offered. It’ll also get a diesel engine, likely Kia’s 1.5-litre turbo diesel that makes 115PS in the Seltos and Sonet. The standard transmission is likely to be a 6-speed manual, and the diesel version could get a 6-speed torque converter automatic. 

We expected the Kia Carens to be launched in the early months of 2022, and prices could start at around Rs 15 lakh ex-showroom. At this price point, the Carens will have to contend not just with other similarly priced three-row SUVs but also with MPVs such as the Mahindra Marazzo and Toyota Innova.