The Kia Carens has rapidly gained popularity in India, having also been declared the Indian Car of the Year in 2023. However when you consider the Indian Car Market. Barring the Innova, which is legendary in its own right, others have failed to crack the segment. A case might be made for the Ertiga, but its largest share of the pie comes from Commercial sources, and not private purchases.

Why did other MPVs Fail?

 

1. Mahindra Xylo: Xylo’s design that didn’t resonate with private buyers, who sought a more stylish and sophisticated vehicle. While the Xylo was popular in the commercial segment, its lack of premium interiors and advanced features limited its appeal in the private MPV market.

2. Mahindra Marazzo: The Marazzo was a well-built vehicle with a spacious cabin, but it struggled due to its unrefined diesel engine and a lack of brand perception as a premium MPV. Mahindra’s image, primarily associated with rugged SUVs, didn’t align with the needs of buyers seeking a more refined and feature-rich MPV.

3. Honda Mobilio: Mobilio failed to capture the Indian market due to its plain design and interior, which were too similar to the smaller Brio hatchback. Additionally, the Mobilio’s diesel engine was noisy, leading to an underwhelming driving experience that didn’t justify its higher price compared to competitors.

4. Tata Aria: The Tata Aria was a well-engineered vehicle, but it was priced too high for its time, and Tata’s brand perception was more associated with commercial vehicles. The lack of a clear value proposition and premium features at its price point made it difficult for the Aria to attract buyers in the MPV segment.

5. Chevrolet Enjoy: Chevrolet Enjoy offered an affordable price point, but it fell short in terms of quality, features, and overall performance. Its underwhelming engines and lack of modern amenities made it less appealing, especially in a market where consumers were beginning to expect more from their vehicles.

6. Renault Lodgy: The Renault Lodgy was practical but suffered from a bland design and lack of premium features. Despite being spacious, its uninspiring looks and basic interior failed to attract buyers looking for a more stylish and feature-rich MPV, leading to its eventual discontinuation.

What Makes The Carens Different?

1. Variety of Engine Options

The Kia Carens offers multiple powertrain options, which expands its appeal among different customers. The lineup includes a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine, and a 1.5-liter diesel engine. This variety allows consumers to choose an engine that best fits their driving needs, whether it’s daily commuting, long highway drives, or fuel efficiency.

• Petrol Engines: The 1.5-liter petrol engine produces 115 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque, making it ideal for city driving. The turbocharged 1.5-liter petrol engine, delivering 158 PS and 253 Nm of torque, is perfect for those looking for more power and a spirited driving experience. The MPV’s petrol-automatic variant with the 1.5L NA petrol engine delivers a claimed mileage of 16.2 kmpl.

• Diesel Engine: The 1.5-liter diesel engine is known for its fuel efficiency, producing 115 PS and 250 Nm of torque. It’s a favorite among long-distance travelers due to its impressive mileage figures. The ARAI-claimed figure for the diesel-manual version is 21.3 kmph, while the diesel-automatic variant returns 18.4 kmpl.

Kia Carens Powertrains & Their Specifications

Displacement	Power	Torque	ARAI Claimed FE
1.5L NA Petrol	115	144	16.2
1.5L Turbo Petrol	158	253	17.9
1.5L Diesel	115	250	18.4

*above figures are for the automatic variants of the car

The diverse engine options cater to varying consumer preferences, and since Kia’s engines have always been very refined and smooth, it makes the Carens a versatile choice. In contrast, the Lodgy and Enjoy’s engines lacked power and the Xylo’s lacked in refinement.

2. Premium Interiors

Kia has designed the Carens with a focus on providing a premium experience inside the cabin. This contrasts sharply with the more basic and utilitarian interiors of the older models like the Renault Lodgy and Chevrolet Enjoy, as the Carens’ interior is well-appointed with high-quality materials, and the layout is both stylish and functional.

• Comfort and Design: The Carens features leatherette upholstery, soft-touch materials, and a sleek dashboard design that gives the cabin a luxurious feel. The ambient lighting, which can be customized to different colors, adds to the premium vibe.
• Technology: A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital driver’s display, and a Bose sound system are just a few of the high-tech features that contribute to its premium appeal.

The combination of comfort, advanced technology, and high-quality materials in the interiors makes the Carens a preferred choice for those looking for luxury at a competitive price point.

3. Good Looks

The Kia Carens stands out with its contemporary and attractive design. While older MPVs like the Xylo and Lodgy were criticized for their meek and utilitarian looks, the Carens successfully merges the design elements of an MPV with the ruggedness of an SUV, which appeals to a wide audience.

• Exterior Design: The Carens features Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, sleek LED headlights, and sharp character lines that give it a bold and modern look. The dual-tone color options and alloy wheels further enhance its aesthetic appeal.
• Aerodynamics and Proportions: Its aerodynamic shape and well-balanced proportions make it visually appealing while contributing to better fuel efficiency and performance.

The Carens’ design strikes a chord with consumers who want a vehicle that looks stylish and modern, while also being practical.

4. Price Range

One of the major reasons behind the popularity of the Kia Carens in India is its competitive pricing. The Carens is priced attractively across its various variants, making it accessible to a broad range of consumers.

• Affordability: The starting price for the Kia Carens is around ₹10.5 Lakhs, which is highly competitive given the range of features and the overall package it offers. Even the top-end variants, which come loaded with features, are priced lower than many rivals in the segment.
• Value for Money: Considering the premium interiors, advanced features, and the variety of engine options, the Carens offers excellent value for money, making it a strong contender in its segment.

5. Feature-Rich Cabin

Kia has packed the Carens with a plethora of features that appeal to tech-savvy consumers. This feature-rich approach has significantly contributed to its popularity.

• Safety Features: The Carens is equipped with over 10 standard safety features, including six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSM), ABS, DBC, BAS, All Wheel Disc Brakes and hill start assist control (HAC). These features make it one of the safest vehicles in its class.
• Convenience Features: The Carens offers features such as a 10.25-inch infotainment system, ventilated front seats, a wireless charger, drive modes, Bose Premium Sound System and Ambient Lighting ensuring a comfortable ride for all passengers. The presence of features like a panoramic sunroof and connected car technology further enhances its appeal.

The comprehensive set of features ensures that the Carens meets the needs of modern-day consumers, making it a popular choice. In contrast, cars like the Lodgy and Enjoy were built to be people-movers and weren’t particularly oriented towards consumer comfort.

6. Practical 3rd Row Seating

One of the standout features of the Kia Carens is its practical and usable third-row seating, which is often a deciding factor for families.

• Spaciousness: Unlike many competitors, the third row in the Carens offers ample space for adults, making it a true 7-seater. The seats are designed to provide adequate legroom and headroom, ensuring comfort even on long journeys.
• Easy Access: The one-touch electric tumble function for the second-row seats allows easy access to the third row, a feature that is particularly useful for families with children or elderly members.

The practical third-row seating makes the Carens a preferred choice among families who need a versatile and spacious vehicle.

Sales of the Carens

In the last 4 months, April-July, Kia has sold more than 21,000 units of the Carens, behind only Innova and the Ertiga in the MPV Segment. It also achieved the milestone of 1.5lakh units sold in June. This shows how popular the MPV has been even after the introduction of cars like the Toyota Rumion, Innova Hycross, Suzuki Invicto. While it has sold lesser that what it did last year, it keeps its strong foothold in the Indian market intact.

Top-Selling 5 MPVs in India from April – July, 2024

Model	April-July, 2024	April-July, 2023	YoY Change
Suzuki Ertiga	59,040	38,834	97%
Toyota Innova/ Hycross	34,975	29,909	32%
Kia Carens	21,477	26,523	-19%
Suzuki XL6	12,996	13,410	-3%
Renault Triber	7,044	8,253	-15%

Our View

The Kia Carens’ success in India can be attributed to its variety of engine options, premium interiors, stylish design, competitive pricing, feature-rich nature, and practical third-row seating. This combination of factors has allowed it to carve out a niche in the competitive Indian automotive market, appealing to a broad spectrum of consumers. The Carens not only meets the diverse needs of Indian families but does so with a sense of style and modernity that resonates with today’s buyers.

Kia Carens: The Cheat Code to Success in The MPV Segment