The all-new Kia Carens has made its global debut in India on the 16th of December 2021, and the market launch is expected in early 2022. This is the fourth product the Korean carmaker is launching in the country. Interestingly, the Korean carmaker does not call the new Kia Carens an SUV or an MVP.
WHEELBASE DETAILS
This beast measures about 1,700mm in height, 1,800mm in width, and 4,540mm in length. The Kia Carens has the longest wheelbase in the segment, measuring 2,780mm. The measurements make it certain that this four-wheeler is a spacious one. Talking about the rivals, such as the Hyundai Alcazar, which is also designed on the same wheelbase, is a stretched version of the Seltos/Creta platform, which measures 1,675mm in height, 1,790mm in width, 4,500mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,760mm. The wheelbase measures 30mm more when compared to the Toyota Innova Crysta. But note that the Kia Carens’s measurements are not certified by ARAI.
DESIGN
Suppose we have a look at the design of the new Kia Carens. In that case, we know that the company aims to target family-oriented customers as their product delivers a spacious cabin consisting of a three-row seating arrangement with high-class features that sit best for travelling long distances. This automobile consists of MPV features and does not portray itself as an MPV; instead, it has an SUV-ish appearance. Thanks to the chunky design offered by the Korean carmaker consisting of a chunky front and rear bumper and a tall stance.
If we have a detailed look at the front approach, the car displays a flat bonnet, an upright nose divided into two distinctive parts. The bold appearance is the slim grill, which is situated at the upper portion. The eye-catching feature is the Y-shaped daytime running lamps spotted as a new update. The main cluster of headlamps is placed below. Instead, the old signature ‘Tiger Nose’ styling has been discarded in this variant, switched with a chrome trim below.
The body profile somewhat resembles the Kia Seltos. However, the rear door is slightly longer than the latter. If we have a closer look, we notice a strong character line initiates from the headlamps, which meanwhile blends into the doors and reappears at the rear portion and meets the taillights. We also visualise body cladding along the length of the doors and over the wheel arches.
The back profile of this automobile has a pair of wrap-around LED tail lights which are connected via a strip of LED strip. The rear end experiences an integrated spoiler, and the windshield is raked slightly. The rear end delivers an aggressive appearance similar to the front profile as it consists of an upright tailgate and has an aggressive styled bumper rounding off the looks by silver inserts.
SAFETY AND FEATURES
As expected, the interiors are packed with features. The dashboard stages a 10.25-inch infotainment system in the top variants. In contrast, the base variants are installed with the 8.0-inch infotainment system, below which rests A/C vents. Below the A/C vents, there are climate control toggles. A/C vents have been placed on the roof for rear ventilation, which rules out the chance of a large panoramic sunroof.
The all-new Kia Carens is installed with a completely digital instrument cluster, an eight-speaker Bose system setup for lighting the mood. Moreover, multifunctional buttons are mounted on the steering wheel, such as call pickup and drop buttons, volume rocker, buttons for audio controls, voice commanding, which is similar in both Kia Seltos and Kia Sonet. The new Kia Carens will be available in both 6- & 7-seater options. The car provides a one-touch, electrically powered feature for the second-row seat for smooth and easy access to the third-row bench. Another minor yet worth mentioning feature is the large side pocket situated on the door offers a space of three litres of space.
If we talk about the features equipped in this beautiful car, the company never disappoints its customers. The vehicle is equipped with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Kia’s UVO connects. This is not it; the company provides 64 colours of ambient lighting, seat back tables accompanied with cup holders, and an air purifier. If we talk about the safety in the Kia Carens, the company offers six airbags, ESC, ABS, disc brakes at all four wheels, hill start assists, rear parking sensors, and TPMS are standard around all models.
ENGINE OPTIONS
The all-new Kia Carens gets two petrol engine options and diesel units. The petrol variant consists of a 1.4 litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged model producing a maximum power of 140 hp and a peak torque of 220 Nm. The second petrol engine option is the 1.5 litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated model which throws a maximum power of 115 hp and a maximum torque of 144 Nm.
Attaining information about the gearbox, we get to know that the diesel variants will provide a six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The engine gearbox pairing is similar to the Seltos. The options with the petrol engine consist of a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed DCT automatic gearbox.
EXPECTED LAUNCH DATE AND PRICE
The company’s offspring is expected to enter the Indian market at the end of this financial year, which is estimated somewhere around February or March. After the launch, the car will rival the Maruti Suzuki XL6. The Maruti Suzuki XL6 also expects a facelift somewhere around the upcoming year. The Carens will have competitors such as the Hyundai Alcazar and other closely priced three-row vehicles in the same range.
CONCLUSION
Let’s wait and watch what the company discloses and what new surprises it unveils. As a reputed company, the audience expects good quality at a reasonable price. Stay tuned to Auto Tech Portal for more articles like this.
