Kia

Carens

Boasting an outstanding safety package and class-leading equipment levels, the Kia Carens is a mid-sized multi-purpose vehicle with plenty of fire-power. It’s versatile, comfortable to drive and has a price tag that won’t break the bank.

Test Drive

Kia Carens (2013)

It’s a fact that families are getting bigger in number and the family car has to be able to accommodate the needs and demands that come with an active lifestyle.

But, unfortunately for manufacturers, buyers not only want the flexible people-mover, they also want a vehicle that they are proud to be seen in. They don’t want to drive around in a box on wheels just because it’s practical.

However, the new Kia Carens offers the best of both worlds.

The model was first introduced back in 1999 and the latest version has brought the vehicle bang up to date with all the creature comforts you could wish for and driving dynamics capable of matching any rival compact multi-purpose vehicle.

And, above all, the car can quickly and very simply be transformed from a five seater to a seven seater. There are no complicated switches or levers and the process only takes a matter of seconds to complete.

Buyers can select from three efficient, refined and powerful engines, there is a choice of transmissions and also three trim levels too which are all richly equipped as standard.

The latest generation Carens is smaller than the outgoing model – 20mm shorter, 15mm narrower and 45mm lower, but thanks to its increase in wheelbase, the vehicle boasts an incredibly spacious cabin with ample room for all occupants.

The trio of individual second row seats all boast slide and recline functions and the middle seat can be folded flat to offer a large armrest with cup holders.

The second row seats can also fold flat as does the front passenger’s seat which means the Carens can be used to carry exceptionally long and bulky items if necessary.

The car looks striking from all angles thanks to its sleek lines, tinted windows, LED daytime running lights, rear spoiler, Kia’s trademark tiger-nose grille, and smart alloys.

And inside the Carens, there’s a whole host of techno treats to be explored, even on the entry level ‘1’ spec which features a six-speaker sound system which is compatible with modern media devices, air conditioning, a chilled glove-box, welcome and follow-me-home lights, all-round electric windows and much more.

Step up to level ‘2’ and you will see the introduction of 16-inch alloys, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, electrically-folding door mirrors, dual-zone air con and plenty more.

Finally, the range-topping ‘3’ Carens include 17-inch alloys, a 10-way electrically-adjustable driver’s seat, panoramic roof, leather and heated seats, a heated steering wheel, reversing camera and much more.

Prices range from £17,895 to £23,895 and all models come complete with Kia’s incredible seven-year transferable warranty.

Kia believes the 1.7-litre diesel mid-trim ‘2’ model will be the biggest seller, so we tested that out on a range of country lanes and dual carriageways.

This model, with a six-speed manual transmission, was priced at £20,595 and can sprint to 60mph in 12.6 seconds and tops out at 112mph. It has a claimed combined fuel efficiency of 60.1mpg and carbon emissions of 124g/km.

The cabin has a very sophisticated and elegant feel to it with quality materials used throughout. There’s a soft-touch dashboard and a beautiful blend of leather and cloth trimmings.

And the performance is pretty useful too.

Acceleration through the six-speed manual transmission proved very smooth and rapid with a constant supply of power on tap.

Road-holding was flawless and there was next-to-no road surface or engine noise which is excellent in a vehicle of the Carens size.

I also tested out the 1.6-litre petrol model in entry level ‘1’ trim with six-speed manual gearbox priced at £17,895. This Carens can reach from 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds and has a top speed of 115mph.

According to Kia it can achieve 44.1mpg on a combined cycle and has CO2 emissions of 149g/km.

At times the petrol engine seemed to lack a little zip especially when tackling steep inclines, but once it gained momentum it performed admirably.

That aside though, this particular model is still incredibly well equipped and delivers excellent value for an introductory model.

All in all, the new Kia Carens is quite a car. It has the looks, performance and versatility that any active family could wish for.

In fact, my only gripe is the fact that at the moment no Carens come with a sat nav system either fitted as standard or available as an optional extra.

But that’s possibly something Kia will be addressing a little bit further down the line.

Test Drive

Kia Carens 2.0 CRDi GS (7 seat)

With a real hint of sportiness to it, the Kia Carens is the multi-purpose vehicle with all-round versatility on tap.

Designed to suit the demands of families looking for either a five-seater or seven-seater MPV, the Carens boasts attractive looks, great safety, plenty of top notch specifications throughout, excellent comfort levels and even good economy – so what more could you ask for?

The model supplied for my test drive was the mid-range GS seven-seater and after a week behind the wheel I had to conclude that Kia had considered plenty of factors when designing the Carens.

Space is paramount in these types of vehicles and the Carens has it in abundance.

Cabin storage surpasses any buyers’ demands with a huge boot area that can be enhanced even further by quickly folding seats flat, there is a large compartment beneath the centre armrest along with cupholders, door pockets, a large glove box, sunglasses holder and plenty more – the second and third rows of seats can even be folded flat to form a bed. Well, I said it was versatile!

And when you take into consideration the roof rack is capable of carrying loads up to 80kg, it seems the Carens can transport almost anything.

The cabin is light and airy and thanks to its high sides, passengers are treated to plenty of headroom – even in the third row where the seating is a little more cramped, but still fine for youngsters.

Creature comforts include air con, electric windows, a leather steering wheel, tinted glass, an integrated CD system with MP3 compatibility and plenty more besides.

The drive itself is no let down either. Both in and around town and out on the open road, the Carens offered a comfortable ride with superb all round visibility. Manoeuvrability was excellent as the Carens proved deceptively agile and the 2.0-litre engine provided ample power. The six-speed manual transmission was both responsive and neatly grouped for ease of use.

Safety features on the Carens are very comprehensive with anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, plenty of airbags and lots more.

Kia describes the Carens as the MPV with SUV attitude and to be perfectly blunt, they’ve summed the vehicle up perfectly.