First Drive: Kia Carens

Yet another example of the renaissance of Kia is represented in the new generation Carens, which goes on sale in May, writes Brian Byrne.

From a dumpy and dull model that was practical but uninspiring, the nameplate now represents a thoroughly modern, attractive and handsome family car.

It's a real alternative to the SUV, yet one that isn't likely to diminish the sales performance of Kia's Sportage, the brand's best selling car in Ireland.


On a recent drive abroad with the new Carens I was very impressed. Not unexpected, as this is the constant sense from all of Kia's new or revised models in the last few years. It has almost become a given that the brand encourages positive reaction.

The company has done considerable research into who buys C segment MPVs. They are male, married, with 'a bunch of kids' in the middle row of seats, and with a mortgage.

But they asked their designers to come up with an MPV that doesn't look like a box. The result was the new Carens that is sporty and stylish.

There are cues from other models, the main lights very much from the pro_cee'd, the foglights akin to those in Sorento, the grille from the cee'd and its wagon variant. But the new Carens shows its own character in a quite individual profile, which emphasises roominess while retaining a very smooth form. The upkick in the rearmost side window pushes the design to a very strong rear end, dominated by large teardrop lighting clusters. There's an overall air of substantiality which is these days another commonality in Kias.

With a lower profile than the predecessor car, the new 7-seat Carens is also narrower and shorter, but provides more interior space thanks to a longer wheelbase. The inside design is another variant on what has become familiar as a very smart and high quality attitude in comfort, looks and well-thought instrumentation. Room in those middle seats is good for adults and chunky teenage rugby players, with kneeroom particularly ample.

Power for the Irish market will be provided by the 115hp 1.7 diesel familiar from the brand's very successful Sportage SUV, with CO2 emissions of 129g/km leading to an annual Road Tax of €270 under current rates. On the international launch we didn't get to drive that one, but the higher-power 1.7 proved more than adequate for the very hilly conditions of the drive. The quiet progress under all conditions suggests it will sound equally refined even in rougher Irish environments.

There will be three trim levels of the car in Ireland - TX, EX and Platinum - and standard equipment for the entry car includes alloy wheels, rear spoiler, LED daytime running lights, cornering lights, front and rear electric windows, luggage cargo screen, steering mounted audio controls, and voice activated Bluetooth.

The top end Platinum model adds leather upholstery with heated front seats, 10 way power driver's seat, panoramic sunroof, HID type lights, front parking sensors and a supervision instrument cluster.

With a starting price of €26,490, the new Carens is pitched right against key rivals Ford C-MAX, Opel's Zafire, Renault's Scenic, Peugeot's 5008 and Ford's S-MAX. The Opel and the Renault are likely to be the ones to suffer most if Kia Ireland achieves its aim to sell 340 units in a full year, something over 10 percent of the segment total.

I expect those two makers are concerned. I know they should be.

AT A GLANCE
BRAND: Kia; MODEL: Carens; TYPE: MPV.
ENGINE: Size 1700cc Dsl; Consumption 4.8L/100km; Road Tax €270.
KEY FEATURES: LED daytime running lights, luggage cargo screen, Bluetooth.
PRICE AS REVIEWED: €26,490
COMPETITION: Ford C-MAX, Opel's Zafire, Renault's Scenic, Peugeot's 5008 and Ford's S-MAX.