2022 Kia Carens three-row MPV makes its global debut in India with SUV-inspired looks

Kia India has debuted the Kia Carens three-row MPV. The Carens is meant to create a new niche in the MPV segment with its mix of practicality and aggressive SUV styling. The Carens is similarly feature-loaded as other Hyundai-Kia offerings and also brings with some segment-first convenience and safety equipment. Kia says the Carens name is an amalgam of car and renaissance to go with the model's theme.

Kia Carens styling, dimensions

The Kia Carens is the first car in India to debut Kia's new global design language which it calls Opposites United. There is a heavily styled face with eye-catching design elements as has become the norm with Kia's offerings. The Tiger Nose detail is reinterpreted here with the two-part lamps joined by the textures panel. The LED DRLs is done with a floating effect while the large LED headlamps are placed below. The segmented foglamps which flank the large airdam complete the look of the front. The body panels on the side are quite simple and there is an sharply rising window line. While at the rear, the sharply styled LED tailamps are again reminiscent of other Kia models. Dimensions haven't been revealed but the Carens is claimed to have the longest wheelbase in the three-row segment and runs on 205/65 R16 tyres.

Kia Carens interiors, features

The interiors of the Kia Carens are finished in an indigo and beige dual-tone theme. There are brushed aluminium and gloss black tones inside with the 10.1-inch touchscreen set high within the dash, unlike the floating arrangement in the Sonet and Seltos. There is a mix of hard buttons and capacitive touch panels, seen with the infotainment shortcuts and climate controls. Although the rotary dials for the volume, tuning etc carry a knurled finish with an open centre console with large storage spaces The steering wheel is the familiar Kia unit from the Seltos although the instrument cluster is Kia's spin on the segmented LCD displays seen on Hyundais like the Verna and i20. Practicality has been given significant importance with the inbuilt bottle holders, the headline mounted airvents, the tumble-fold second-row seats as well as the single second-row tray tables.

Other features of note are the 8-speaker Bose audio, 64-colour ambient lighting, second row spot light for the doors, climate control, ventilated front seats, the Kia Connect suite of connected car tech

Kia Carens safety

Another big talking point for the Kia Carens is the safety equipment on offer. The MPV will be the first in its price range to offer six airbags as standard. Other safety features include electronic stability control (ESC), stability control, hill-start assist, hill descent control, tyre-pressure monitoring front parking sensors, rain sensing wipers and disc brakes all around.

Kia Karens engines

While exact specifications haven't been revealed, the Carens breaks away from the Alcazar by offering the same engine options as the Seltos. There will be a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol paired with a seven-speed DCT expected to make 140PS and 250 Nm. The 1.5-litre diesel should put out 115PS and 250 Nm and come with a six-speed torque convertor while a six-speed manual should also be on offer with both. There is no mention of traction modes but the Seltos' drive modes will be available with the Carens too.

Kia Carens launch date, price

The Kia Carens should compete with the Hyundai Alcazar on price, which should range between Rs 15 to 20 lakh ex-showroom. The Carens will go on sale by Feb to march 2022 in India and other global markets.

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