Kia updates the Carens

Kia South Africa has introduced the new Carens, a seven-seat vehicle that blends modern SUV styling with the practicality of a traditional people mover. The model is aimed at families looking for space and comfort without the bulk often associated with larger MPVs.

Under the bonnet, all derivatives are powered by a 1,5-litre diesel engine that produces 85 kW at 4 000 r/min and 250 Nm of torque between 1 500 r/min and 2 750 r/min. Kia says the unit offers a sensible balance between performance and fuel economy, with a claimed combined cycle consumption of 5,0 l/100 km when paired with the six-speed manual gearbox. The automatic version returns 5,3 l/100 km.

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“The Carens brings together modern looks, a spacious seven-seat cabin and our well-known diesel engine,” says Paul Turnbull, CEO of Kia South Africa. “We are pleased to add this model to our growing local range.” 

The front end features LED daytime running lights and star-map inspired LED headlamps, a design cue repeated at the rear with matching tail lamps. Inside, the cabin includes a dual panoramic display – combining a 12,3-inch infotainment screen with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster – along with a D-cut steering wheel and cloth-and-artificial-leather upholstery on entry models.

There is generous legroom and headroom across all three rows, plus a boot large enough for everyday family use. The suspension setup uses Macpherson struts at the front and a coupled torsion beam at the rear, which helps maintain ride quality and passenger comfort.

All Carens variants come standard with anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, hill start assist, and multiple crash bags (driver, passenger, front thorax and curtain). Higher-spec models add features such as a surround view monitor, blind-spot view monitor, rear blind-spot collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance assist and lane following assist.

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The Carens is offered in four trim levels – LS, LX, EX and SX – all using the same 1,5-litre diesel engine.

• LS (six-speed manual): 16-inch styled wheels, partial LED rear lights, height-adjustable driver’s seat, manual air conditioning, eight-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-speaker sound system, 4,2-inch TFT cluster and rear park distance warning.
• LX (six-speed automatic): adds 17-inch crystal-cut dual-tone alloy wheels, electric folding mirrors, roof rails, rear seat pocket, cruise control and a wireless smartphone charger.
• EX: adds LED daytime running lights, smart key with push-button start, 12,3-inch infotainment screen, and front and rear park distance warning.
• SX (top of the range): electric driver seat adjustment with lumbar support, smart cruise control with stop & go, front heated seats (three-level control), 12-inch digital cluster, Bose premium eight-speaker sound system, plus the full suite of ADAS features.

Pricing

All Carens models are sold as standard with Kia’s industry leading five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty (inclusive of road side assistance) as well as a three-year/45 000km service plan.

Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with

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