Kia Carens’ new TVC shows features and practicality of MPV

Kia Motors’ latest launch for the Indian market was the Carens. The manufacturer has received more than 30,000 bookings for the MPV which is a good figure. The starting price of the Carens is Rs. 8.99 lakhs ex-showroom while the top-end variant is priced at Rs. 16.99 lakhs ex-showroom. Kia has now released two new TVCs that shows the features and the practicality of the MPV.

The first TVC shows the connected car features that are enabled in Carens through Kia Connect. In the video, we can see a person unlocking and locking the MPV through the remote application. Other features in the video that we can see are ventilated front seats, maps that can be updated through OTA, an air purifier and a digital instrument cluster. The video also shows the “Find My Car” feature that is available on the Kia connected application.

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The connected car technology also offers Remote Engine Start/Stop, Weather and Sports App, OTA system updates, Open and close sunroof, control AC, remote-controlled air purifier and turn on/off ventilated seats.

The second TVC is about the practicality of the Carens. It has a decent boot space of 216 litres, that too with all three rows up. With the third-row folded, the boot space increases to a very generous 645 litres and if you fold the second row then the boot space is increased to a massive 1,164 litres.

Carens has a best-in-segment wheelbase of 2,780 mm. Because of this, there is an ample amount of space in the second row and what was a surprise for everyone is that the third row could also be used by adults.  Usually, such vehicles do not have a usable third-row or even if they do, they are best for children. But that is not the case with the Carens.

The rear occupants get their own set of roof-mounted AC vents with blower control. The rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 configuration and there are rear sunshade curtains also. There is also a one-touch tumble function that can be used to fold the second-row seat to access the third row. On the 7-seater version, you also get a centre armrest with cupholders. Kia also offers Type C ports for charging mobile devices and cooling functions for the can holders.

Engine and gearbox

Kia is offering Carens with three engine options. There is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The naturally aspirated petrol engine produces 115 PS and 144 Nm. The turbocharged petrol engine produces 140 PS and 242 Nm. The diesel engine produces 115 PS and 250 Nm.

A 6-speed manual gearbox is offered as standard on all three engines. There is no automatic transmission for the naturally aspirated petrol engine. The turbo petrol gets a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and the diesel engine gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Rivals 

Kia Carens compete against the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Mahindra Marazzo and Maruti Suzuki XL6. Because of the segment, the Carens also go against the Toyota Innova Crysta.

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