A New Milestone For The Carens
Well then, here’s a bit of good news from the chaps over at Kia. Their rather popular MPV, the Carens, has managed to cross the 2 lakh sales mark in just 36 months. That’s rather brisk. What’s made this family-friendly machine such a success? Well, let’s take a look!
Petrol Or Diesel? Manual Or Automatic?
It appears that most buyers prefer their Carens to be powered by petrol (58%), while the sensible lot, perhaps those who like a good road trip, have opted for the diesel (42%). Interestingly, despite the increasing preference for automatic gearboxes worldwide, 68% of buyers have still gone for a manual, proving that the traditional way of changing gears isn’t quite dead yet.
And then, of course, there’s the sunroof dilemma. A solid 28% of buyers seem to have decided that a bit of extra sky is worth it, while 24% have gone all out for the top-spec model. But the most telling statistic? A whopping 95% of buyers have gone for the 7-seater variant. Clearly, space is high on the priority list.
A Price That Makes Sense
When you think of MPVs in India, the Toyota Innova is the big dog. But, the Carens undercuts it rather significantly, with prices ranging from Rs 10.59 lakh to Rs 19.69 lakh (ex-showroom). That’s quite the value proposition for what it offers. While it’s dearer than the Maruti Ertiga and XL6, it gives you much more in return.
A Proper 7-Seater With Road Presence
Measuring around 4.5 metres in length with a wheelbase of 2780 mm, the Carens has decent road presence without feeling like a bus. More importantly, it provides a properly spacious cabin. Given that 95% of buyers have opted for the 7-seater configuration, it’s clear that the ability to ferry the entire family is a major selling point.
A Tech-Filled Cabin
The Carens doesn’t have quite the level of gizmos as the Seltos, but it’s no slouch in the features department. The top-spec versions get a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 10.1-inch rear entertainment system, ventilated front seats, 64-colour ambient lighting, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, and—wait for it—a single-pane sunroof. There’s also a wireless phone charger, automatic climate control, and keyless entry with push-button start.
Safety-wise, you get six airbags, ABS with EBD, a reverse parking camera with sensors, hill-hold assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Not bad at all.
Powertrain Options: Something For Everyone
Under the bonnet, Kia offers three engine options:
- A 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine making 113 bhp and 144 Nm, paired with a 6-speed manual.
- A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol pushing out a respectable 158 bhp and 253 Nm, available with either a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT.
- A 1.5-litre diesel making 114 bhp and 250 Nm, which can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.
In short, whether you want something frugal, something punchy, or something for long highway jaunts, there’s a Carens for you.
Variants And Colours: Pick Your Poison
The Carens comes in five trims—Premium, Prestige, Prestige Plus, Luxury Plus, and X-Line. The colour palette is equally generous, with eight choices including Imperial Blue, Xclusive Matte Graphite, and Aurora Black Pearl. So, there’s a good chance you’ll find a combination that suits your taste.
So there you have it. A sensible, practical, well-priced MPV that’s doing rather well for itself. And, by the looks of it, there’s plenty more to come.
