How Kia Carens Can Change The MPV Game In India

Till now the Korean carmaker KIA has set firm grounds on the Indian soil. After launching multiple cars in the market, the company is set to launch their second MPV for India, KIA Carens. Well, for those who are not aware, MPVs or Multi-purpose vehicles is the category of cars that are usually used to carry people. Where these MPVs are common in many countries, certainly not in India. For one, there aren’t many vehicles in this category in India. Also, nowadays, the Indian market is more inclined towards SUVs shadowing the MPVs at the back.

Apart from mere people’s movers, these MPVs are also used on long road trips, for they are a lot comfortable and spacious than any other vehicle type. That said, the entry of KIA Carens can be a game-changer in India. How? Let’s have a detailed look.

Before answering the question let’s talk about the Kia Carens in brief so that we have an idea how is this MPV is like.

1. The Price and its competition
   

   There are a couple of reasons for KIA Carens being the ultimate MPV, the most important being the price. Considering the competition, there aren’t any direct rivals to this MPV from Kia. Now, if we had to guess the price of the Carens, it is expected to launch in the Indian market between Rs. 15 Lakh to Rs. 20 Lakh (ex-showroom).

   More about Kia Carens- Everything You Need To Know

   This is the sweet spot as it is exactly between the budget MPV, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the segment’s most comfortable Toyota Innova. Now, there does exist a third MPV that sits in the same price bracket, Mahindra Marazzo, but it failed to impress the Indian audience.

2. Engine and Transmission
   

   

   Like the other cars from Kia in this price range, the Carens will also get a set of 3 engines to choose from. A couple of petrol engines, a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated and 1.4-litre turbo petrol. And for all the Diesel bros, yes! A 1.5-litre turbo diesel will be offered under the hood of the upcoming SUV. Like the engines, Kia Carens will also share the same set of transmission options as well.

   For all the engines there will be a 6-speed manual transmission on offer. Talking about automatics, IVT will be mated with the naturally aspirated petrol and a 7-speed DCT with the turbo petrol. However, the diesel will come mated to the good old torque converter.

3. Features and Creature Comfort
   

   

   Being an MPV there will surely have a ton of gadgets and gizmos up its sleeves. From a sunroof (technically a moonroof), air purifier, ventilated seats, cooled cup holders, and more, Kia Carens have it all. With that the top-spec Carens also is expected to get;

   • A 10.25” touch screen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also, a premium sound system from BOSE.
   • An all-digital instrument cluster, similar to the one in Hyundai Alcazar.
   • On the Safety front, Kia Carens also brag about a TPMS, 360-degree surround camera and more.
     

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How Kia Carens can be the game-changer for MPVs in India?

If you like following the Indian automotive market, currently there are two MPVs in the sub Rs. 25 Lakh price range, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Toyota Innova (ex-showroom).

For reference, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga costs Rs. 10.69 Lakh for the top-end trim, which is a significant amount of money but there are buyers who might be ready to spend a little more than that on an MPV.

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Next, the immediate MPV after Ertiga is the Toyota Innova which in its most expensive avatar costs Rs. 24.99 Lakh. Now that is a huge price difference. The same can be said of any relative variant of the two MPVs.

Interesting read: How the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Dominates the MPV Segment

This in other terms, is a huge space for MPVs to conquer. Mahindra Marazzo had the same intentions but never made an impact. Yes, Marazzo is still on sale in India. But Kia with its Carens can be the arrow that might hit the bullseye in our domestic market.

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Let us know in the comment section, what do you think of the new MPV from Kia? Will Kia Carens be able to deliver the dream sales numbers for the carmaker?

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