After an endless stream of SUV-wannabe hatchbacks in the market, it’s now time for an MPV-wannabe-SUV
Kia Motors has revealed the new Carens three-row MPV (yes, it’s an MPV), which the company brands as a “recreational vehicle”. Although designed specifically for the Indian market, Kia confirms that the Carens will be available in other select markets as well starting from the first quarter of 2022. For the uninitiated, the new Carens is Kia’s version of Hyundai Alcazar—which was launched in June 2021 to take on the MG Hector Plus—which was launched last year to take on the Toyota Innova Crysta.
As some of you might know, the name ‘Carens’ is not a new one; an MPV with that name is on sale in the international markets for over two decades now, making this one the 4th gen model. The new Carens tries very hard to look like an MPV while looking like an SUV from most angles. Nevertheless, it sports a unique styling compared with the Alcazar adopting Kia’s latest ‘Opposites United’ design language which debuted with the 2022 Sportage. Kia calls the front DRL signature ‘The Star Map’, and so are the taillight signatures. The range-topping models will ride on 16-inch alloy wheels. Overall, the Carens looks sharp and stylish and is surely gonna steal a lot of potential customers from MG and Toyota.
Inside, the dashboard looks just as unique as the exterior with a silver garnish that flows into the door cards and surrounds the door pulls. The entire dashboard appears to have a high-gloss applique; good luck to the future owners maintaining that glossiness. Other key features include a 10.25-inch central touchscreen, a digital driver display, ventilated front seats, second-row seat with one-touch electric tumble, Smart Pure air purifier, second- & third-row AC vents, 64-color ambient lighting, 8-speaker Bose audio system, wireless smartphone charging, USB-C ports, and a panoramic sunroof. The Carens also boasts 60+ connected car features.
Safety equipment includes 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, Hill-Assist Control, Downhill Brake Control, TPMS, and disc brakes at all four corners. These are said to be standard across all trims.
#KiaCarens pic.twitter.com/LHdDRwEoMM
— Sagar (@autodevot) December 16, 2021
As for the juicy bits of the story, the Carens will most likely borrow the powertrains from its Hyundai sibling, but will update the information when Kia makes it available.
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