Latest Update: Kia Carens has been launched in India at a starting price of Rs 8.99 lakh. Click here for details.
Kia India has released official design sketches of its upcoming three-row offering, Carens, ahead of its official debut on December 16, 2021. It debuts Kia’s new ‘Opposite United’ design language in India.
Going by the sketches, the Kia Carens boasts an upright stance with a more streamlined silhouette. It features Kia’s latest iteration of the tiger-nose grille, flanked by quirky-shaped LED DRLs as seen on the latest Kia cars globally, with a separate headlamp cluster underneath. Its stockier front bumper gets trapezoidal air dams and black body cladding that extends to the rear, giving it a rugged appearance. Further, its tapering roofline and upright tailgate section increase its SUV credentials, while the new connected tail lamps complement the overall profile.
Kia has also given us a peek at the interior, featuring a wraparound dashboard with an integrated touchscreen infotainment system (probably 10.25-inch for higher variants and 8.0-inch for lower variants). The previous spy images also exposed a digital driver’s display. The steering wheel and gear stick seem to be borrowed from the Kia Seltos.
While Kia hasn’t revealed its equipment details, expect it to get a plethora of premium features like wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, UVO connected car technology, heads-up display, auto climate control, ventilated front seats, rear AC vents, wireless charging, in-built air purifier, a Bose sound system, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, front & rear parking sensors, multiple airbags, cruise control, and much more.
Expect Kia to offer the Carens with Hyundai Alcazar’s 159PS 2.0-liter naturally aspirated petrol and 115PS 1.5-litre diesel engine, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Kia Carens is expected to be launched in January 2022 at prices likely to start from around Rs 15 lakh onwards. Once launched, it will go up against the Hyundai Alcazar, Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus, and Mahindra XUV700.