The Kia Carens MPV is to launch on February 15, 2022. This will be the carmaker’s 4th model in the Indian market. It features a three-row seating position and is equipped with a variety of engines and trim levels. Furthermore, bookings are presently ongoing with the booking amount set at ₹25,000/-.
In terms of design, the Carens have a familiar MPV-like profile but with several crossover-inspired design cues. Moreover, Kia has also done its best to give the car its own identity without much resemblance to the Seltos. Based on the Seltos platform, the Carens is a significantly longer vehicle than the previous one. It is 225mm longer overall with a 160mm long wheelbase to accommodate the third row.
Inside, the Carens also have its unique dashboard design, along with a two-tone blue and beige or black and beige interior trim in the cabin. The Kia is a standard 7-seater layout, with only the full option offered as a 6-seater with second-row captain’s seats.
Kia Carens MPV: equipment and variants
The Carens is available in five different variants: Premium, Prestige, Prestige Plus, Luxury, and Luxury Plus.
All variants will include a long list of safety features. It includes six airbags, ESC, stability control, jump start, hill descent control, tire pressure monitoring, and four-wheel disc brakes. In terms of comfort and convenience features, all variants get AC vents for all three rows and a one-touch power drop feature for the centre row seat.
In addition to that, fully loaded variants get all the feel-good kit. It includes ventilated front seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with connected technology, a sunroof, an air filter, a wireless phone charger, and more.
Kia Carens MPV: multiple engine options
The clientele has three engines to choose from. A 1.5-litre petrol engine with 115 hp, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. A more powerful 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 140 hp, mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A 115hp 1.5-litre diesel engine available with a six-speed manual or a torque-converter automatic transmission.
Turbo petrol and diesel will be available in all variants, wherein only the full-featured Luxury Plus comes with the option of automatic transmission.
Expected price and competitors
Expect the Carens to be within the range of ₹12 lakh-20 lakh. The model’s expected competitors comprise larger variants of the Maruti XL6 and Mahindra Marazzo, along with more three-row SUVs like Hyundai’s Alcazar and the Mahindra XUV700.
The next in line after the launch of Carens MPV will be the facelifted version of the Seltos, followed by the Carnival.
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