LIVE – Kia unveils the 7-seater Carens in India, to come with 6-airbags as standard

Kia India today unveiled to the world its 7 seater offering , the Kia Carens . Kia has positioned the Carens as an RV ( Recreation Vehicle ) and this will be a product made in India for the world . Kia is betting big not their latest unveil and going all guns out not just on the feature packed offerings that they always have but also by making essential safety features like 6 airbags ,all 4 disc brakes ,ESC +VSM. +HAC +DBC+ABS+BAS, standard across all variants.

The Kia Carens is essentially aimed at modern Indian families which require a lot of space and practicality , talking about which KIA claims that Carens has the longest wheelbase in its class.

Design –

KIA has always made sure since their first ever launch in India , The Seltos that their cars standout and make a statement just with their looks even before you dig for what’s under the skin . Carens is no different, it is a looker and a rather unconventional and unique . It does not remind you of any other car once you lay eyes on the RV , creating its own space in the currently SUV dominated market that india is .

The RV has a very distinctive stance and a bold face which leaves a lasting impression on the onlookers mind . The Carens follows KIAs latest design language “ Opposites United”. It’s aimed at millennials and people who want to stand out . The front of the Carens comes with the classic KIA tiger nose grille and Crown Jewel Headlamps with Star Map DRL , the chrome has been tastefully integrated and and adds to the dynamic face . As you move to the sides you observe a slightly familiar silhouette of the seltos but that’s where the similarities end , the SUV like design and bold side profile has sharp character lines which makes it look bold but sophisticated at the same time .

The rear end is very clean and continues to carry the chrome inserts . High frontend with a pushed back A-pillar, and a straight roofline with optimum ground clearance makes a strong case as a a capable recreational vehicle.

The Kia Carens offers both petrol and diesel powertrains combined with multiple transmission options, including the 7DCT and 6AT just like it’s sibling . An iMT variant might be added to the line up in future .
The Caren comes loaded with features few of the notable ones are –

1.26.03 Cm (10.25”) HD Touchscreen Navigation with Next Generation Kia Connect
2. BOSE Premium Sound System with 8 speakers
3. Cabin Surround 64 colour Ambient Mood Lighting
4. Smart Pure Air Purifier with Virus and Bacteria Protection
5. Hi-Secure Safety Standard Package – (6 Airbags, ESC+VSM+HAC+DBC+ABS+BAS, All Wheel Disc Brakes Standard across all trims)
6. Ventilated Front Seats
7. Multi Drive Modes (Sport/Eco/Normal) linked with Ambient Mood Lighting
8. 2nd Row Seat “One Touch Easy Electric Tumble”
9. SkyLight Sunroof

Interiors –

Even though we didn’t get to check out interiors in flesh what we saw from the outside and read about sounds like a tempting package.

Kia says following the principle of being a practical car the Carens comes with a lot of nifty storage spaces aimed at making day to day life with the car more convenient , few storage spaces designed in the cabin are cooling cup holders, Retractable Seat Back Table with Cup and Gadget Mount, Sliding Type Seat Under Tray, Easy Push Retractable cup holder and sliding tray, and a dedicated air freshener mounting system. Kia Carens is designed to deliver on-board convenience to the family. The Cabin Surround 64 Colour Ambient Mood Lighting sets a perfect ambience at all the times. The ventilated front seats and three Drive Modes, namely Sports, Eco, and Normal.

Being a 7 seater the Carens claims to have a comfortable 3rd row seating owing to it being the longest in the class . The One Touch Easy Electric Tumble in the second-row ensures easy ingress and egress of the patrons in the car. The second row also features recline and slide functions for utmost comfort. In addition to the optimum space and recline functions, the third-row seats can also be flattened in the boot to ensure maximum cargo space.

Few highlights of the interiors of the Kia Carens are –

1. 2nd row Seat Back Folding armrest with Cup Holders
2. Paddle Shifters
3. Roof Flushed 2nd & 3rd row diffused AC Vents
4. Smartphone Wireless charger with cooling function
5. Rear Door Spot Lamp with Kia Logo Projection
6. Rear Door Sunshade Curtains
7. 5 USB C type interfaces
8. Boarding Assist Handle with Illumination

Overall the Kia Carens on paper seems like it does make a strong case for itself and it has to as it’s entering a highly competitive markets with already well established competition like the Hyundai Alcazar , Tata Safari , MG Hector plus and Mahindra XUV700 . The Carens is likely to be aggressively priced and will offer top of the line safety features like driver aid in the top spec variant . With the current semiconductor shortage induced late delivery timelines , if KIA makes the Carens available to roll out , it could be a cake walk with all the bells and whistles it is going to come with .

Kia is set to launch the car in the first quarter of 2022 and aiming to capture a huge chunk of the market , how that pans out remains to be seen .