There’s A New Kia Carens In Town With Boxier Looks, Same Family-Friendly Character

After showing as a teaser and a pair of official sketches, Kia has unveiled the all-new fourth-generation of the Carens in India. The model is dubbed as a “three-row recreational vehicle” adopting SUV/crossover styling cues while retaining the family-friendly character of its predecessors with a focus on practicality.

The new Carens is sharing its platform with the Seltos. While the models have the same width of 1,800 mm (71 inches), the Carens is both longer, measuring 4,540 mm (178.7 inches), and taller, at 1,700 mm (67 inches), than the Seltos. The wheelbase has also been stretched at a class-leading 2,780 mm (109.4 inches).

Aesthetically, the Carens is a huge departure from its minivan predecessor with bold styling in line with Kia’s latest design language called “Opposites United“. With the exception of the 16-inch wheels that look rather small for the tall body, the Carens looks like a proper SUV with modern LED headlights/taillights, aluminum-style skid plates, and plastic cladding all around the bodywork. More specifically, the front end has a unique look thanks to the “Crown Jewel Headlamps” and the large central intake inspired by the Soul, while the tail has hints of the Sportage.

Inside, the dashboard is pretty modern for a car of this segment, with a design that expands towards the doors. The central 10.25-inch touchscreen incorporates the Kia Connect infotainment which is compatible with over-the-air updates. Optional equipment also includes an eight-speaker Bose Premium Sound System, ambient mood lighting with 64 colors, the SkyLight sunroof, Multi Drive Modes (Sport/Eco/Normal), plus Kia’s air purifier system for protection from viruses and bacteria.

In terms of practicality, there are three rows of seats with plenty of interior space. The second row has the “One Touch Easy Electric Tumble” for easy ingress and egress, while features like the retractable seatback tables, the sliding type seat undertray, the cooling cup holders, the AC vents for all rows, the five USB-C ports, the rear-door sunshade curtains, and the storage pockets for bottles and gadgets are making life easier for large families.

All trim levels of the Kia Carens come standard with the Hi-Secure Safety Package which includes six airbags, disc brakes, and basic electronic systems like ECS, ABS, and Hill-Start Control.

Under the bonnet, there is a choice between a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter petrol, a turbocharged 1.4-liter petrol, or a 1.5-liter diesel combined with a six-speed manual, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, or a six-speed torque-converter automatic respectively, all sending power to the front axle.

The Kia Carens will be available in India and other selected markets starting from the first quarter of 2022.