2023 Kia Carens with RDE-compliant engines launched; Gets new 1.5 turbo-petrol

Ahead of the deadline of introducing vehicles with RDE-compliant engines, Kia has silently updated the Carens MPV with new engine and transmission combinations. While Kia has updated the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, it has also replaced the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol with a larger and more powerful 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine.

In addition, there are changes to the transmission options available for the new powertrain choices in the new Kia Carens. Unlike before, the new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine will now be available with both 6-speed iMT and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions, with no choice of a manual gearbox for it. The new turbo-petrol engine claims 160 PS of maximum power – 20 PS more than the erstwhile 1.4-litre turbo-petrol.

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Likewise, the 6-speed manual has been discarded for the 1.5-litre diesel engine. It is now available with 6-speed iMT and 6-speed automatic transmission options and produces 116 PS of power – 1 PS higher than before. Meanwhile, the two entry-level variants with a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine continue to be offered with only a 6-speed manual gearbox. This engine continues to produce 115 PS of maximum power and 145 Nm of maximum torque outputs.

Kia has also hiked the ex-showroom prices of all the variants of the 2023 Carens, which are as follows:

1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol:

• Premium MT – Rs 10.45 lakh
• Prestige MT – Rs 11.65 lakh
• 1.5-litre diesel:
• Premium iMT – Rs 12.65 lakh
• Prestige iMT – Rs 13.85 lakh
• Prestige Plus iMT – Rs 15.35 lakh
• Luxury iMT – Rs 16.80 lakh
• Luxury Plus iMT – Rs 18.00 lakh (both 6-seater and 7-seater)
• Luxury Plus AT – Rs 18.90 lakh (6-seater), Rs 18.95 lakh (7-seater)

1.4-litre turbocharged petrol:

• Premium iMT – Rs 12.00 lakh
• Prestige iMT – Rs 13.25 lakh
• Prestige Plus iMT – Rs 14.75 lakh
• Prestige Plus DCT – Rs 15.75 lakh
• Luxury iMT – Rs 16.20 lakh
• Luxury Plus iMT – Rs 17.5 lakh (6-seater), Rs 17.55 lakh (7-seater)
• Luxury Plus DCT – Rs 18.40 lakh (6-seater), Rs 18.45 lakh (7-seater)

While there are new engine and transmission combination choices on offer for the Kia Carens, there are no other changes to the looks and features offered across its variants. Except for one – all the variants now come standard with the full-digital coloured instrument console, which was earlier restricted to mid and high-spec variants. All three engines are now compliant with RDE norms and can operate on E20 fuel. Like before, the Kia Carens will continue to compete with the Maruti Suzuki XL6 in the three-row compact MPV segment.

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