The Kia Carens Clavis is Here, A More Premium Carens?

QUICK HIGHLIGHTS

• Kia Carens Clavis revealed in India, launch on May 23, 2025.

• Available in 7 variants: HTE, HTE (O), HTK, HTK Plus, HTK Plus (O), HTX and HTX Plus.

• Gets a bold new face, EV5-inspired LED lights, and connected tail lamps.

• Dual-tone navy-beige interior, 6- or 7-seat layout, panoramic sunroof, Bose sound system.

• Dual 12.3-inch screens, wireless charging, ventilated seats, powered driver’s seat.

• Level-2 ADAS, 6 airbags standard, 360-degree camera, disc brakes on all wheels.

• Engine options same as the regular Carens: NA petrol, turbo-petrol, and diesel.

• Expected to start at around Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom), takes on Maruti XL6, Toyota Rumion, and more.

• Will be sold alongside the existing Carens, not replacing it.

Kia India has just revealed the 2025 Carens Clavis, a new addition to its already popular MPV lineup. And no, it’s not a replacement for the current Carens, you’ll be able to buy both come May 23, 2025. Because when one Carens just won’t do, why not double down?

The Carens Clavis is what Kia is describing as a "premium" MPV, appearing more aggressive, feeling slightly more upscale, and naturally, costing a few more rupees.

Kia Carens Clavis Design: Familiar, But With a Designer Jacket

The Carens Clavis takes a couple of styling pointers from Kia's international models, such as the EV,5 and adds some India-special flavour. You have:

• Triangular 3-pod LED headlamps (for the geometry buff in you)

• 17-inch alloy wheels (bigger, glossier, more brag-worthy)

• Integrated LED tail lamps that shout "modern"

• A tough-ish rear with faux silver skid plates

It comes in eight monotone hues, which all work in brochures, and yes, seven of which are taken from current Carens. The colours are: Pewter Olive, Imperial Blue, Glacier White Pearl, Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Gravity Grey, Sparkling Silver and Ivory Silver Gloss. The sole new arrival in the room is Ivory Silver Gloss.

Kia Carens Clavis Interior: Navy Meets Beige

Step inside and it's all dual-tone navy and beige, seating up to six or seven, depending on trim. But the star of the show is the dashboard: 

• Dual 12.3-inch screens (one for driving, one for fiddling with menus)

• A two-spoke steering wheel from the Kia Syros (premium touch)

• Folding trays at the back of the front seats (because Maggi waits for no one)

The centre console comprises a wireless phone charger, cupholders, and a gear selector stalk. You also get actual buttons, which cleverly double up as AC and infotainment controls.

Kia Carens Clavis Features: All the Buzzwords, Checked 

Kia did not spare any features with the Carens Clavis, loading it up with all that buyers demand in 2025 and a little more. Some of the highlights include a panoramic sunroof, front ventilated seats, a 4-way adjustable driver's seat, and a 8-speaker Bose audio system for those who prefer their road trips with a dash of bass. 

Of course, it also receives Level-2 ADAS, because selling a car without it in 2025 would be almost against the law. This package features adaptive cruise control and a driver attention warning system, ideal for those times when your attention chooses to take a quick nap.

A host of smart creature comforts intended to make daily use feel a little more first-class. The second-row seats include a one-touch electric double-folding feature for easy access to the third row, accompanied by a walk-in lever, also referred to as Boss Mode, so the back-seat experience isn't an afterthought. There's a seat-mounted air purifier to maintain the cabin's freshness, and roof-mounted diffused air vents to ensure everyone gets his or her portion of breeze without direct blasts.

The ambient lighting system provides a rich 64-colour palette to suit your mood or your playlist.

Rounding out the list are thoughtful touches such as rain-sensing wipers, cooling cup holders, and a smart dashcam.

On the safety side, the Clavis is equipped with six airbags as a standard feature, a 360-degree camera, an electronic parking brake, child seat ISOFIX mounts, and four-wheel disc brakes. In short, it's got so much safety gear that your insurance company will be smiling.

What is missed, you ask? Rear ventilated seat and dual-zone climate control would surely be missed if we look at the package, which is targeted to be premium.

Kia Carens Clavis Powertrain: Pick Your Flavour

The Kia Carens Clavis borrows its engine range directly from the regular Carens, providing two petrol choices and one diesel. The turbo-petrol model adds a bonus option, a 6-speed manual transmission, for those who prefer the control to remain in their hands. This is how the powertrain options compare:

Transmission options vary depending on variant, with choices including manual, iMT, DCT, and automatic. Yes, there are plenty. And no, it’s not that simple.

Kia Carens Clavis: Expected Price And Rivals 

We expect the Kia Carens Clavis to begin from Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom) and go upwards from there. It'll battle the Maruti Ertiga, Maruti XL6 (the premium Ertiga), Toyota Rumion (the not Ertiga, yet Ertiga), and its own sibling, the Kia Carens. 

It may even steal a few customers away from larger players like the Innova Crysta or the Innova Hycross or the Maruti Invicto, though that's entirely dependent on how you perceive "premium".

What Does ZigSays…?

The Carens Clavis is Kia's “Why settle for less when you can have all of it... and then some?”

It's got the looks, the kit, and quite a few variants. Fitting into the position of the posh cousin to the Carens, it's not coming to replace, it's coming to coexist, outshine, and maybe even make the original Carens a little bit nervous. 

We’ll wait for the pricing to be announced, which is expected sometime in June first week. Till then, stay tuned for our detailed review!