Kia Carens is now available in India for INR 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom). With its aggressive pricing, the new seven-seater Carens aims squarely at the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the XL6, and we’ll see if it can dethrone the segment’s best-sellers, the Ertiga and its sibling, the XL6.
With the introduction of its fourth product, the Kia Carens, the carmaker has once again ventured into Maruti’s territory, this time with the Ertiga, the best-selling vehicle in its segment.
In India, the MPV market contributes significantly. Maruti Suzuki, Renault, and Toyota sold a total of 20,087 MPVs in January 2022. Maruti sold 11,847 Ertigas and 3085 XL6s, while Renault sold 2,722 Tribers and Toyota sold 2,433 Crystas.
The Ertiga has long been the best-seller in this segment, but with the introduction of the Kia Carens, can Maruti Suzuki maintain its lead?
To find out, we need to look at the recently launched Kia Carens and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, as well as the XL6, Maruti’s premium offering through Nexa outlets. While all three vehicles are designed to transport seven people in comfort, each does so in its own unique way, perhaps better than the others.
Kia Carens vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga vs XL6: Price
Pricing is important because if a vehicle is out of a customer’s price range, they will look elsewhere. With prices starting at INR 8.11 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is the most affordable of the three, followed by the Kia Carens at INR 8.99 lakh and the XL6 at INR 10.01 lakh.
All three vehicles have multiple variants, however, the Kia Carens is the only model to be offered with a diesel engine.
| Kia Carens | Ertiga | XL6 |
| Premium – ₹8.99 lakh onwards | LXi – ₹8.11 lakh | Zeta MT – ₹10.01 lakh |
| Prestige – ₹9.99 lakh onwards | VXi – ₹8.91 lakh | Alpha MT – ₹10.65 lakh |
| Prestige Plus – ₹13.49 lakh onwards | ZXi – ₹9.64 lakh | Zeta AT – ₹11.22 lakh |
| Luxury – 14.99 ₹lakh onwards | VXi CNG – ₹9.86 lakh | Alpha AT – ₹11.85 lakh |
| Luxury Plus – ₹16.19 lakh onwards | VXi AT – ₹10.11 lakh | |
| ZXi Plus – ₹10.12 lakh | ||
| ZXi AT – 10.84 lakh |
Kia Carens vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga vs XL6: Dimensions
Moving on to creature comforts, the Kia Carens has the longest wheelbase in its class, while the Ertiga and the XL6 are identical in dimensions. In terms of features, all three vehicles offer similar equipment to start with, however, once you start looking at the higher variants, it’s quite evident that the Carens offers more, but is also priced significantly higher, enticing the Innova Crysta customers.
| Dimensions | Kia Carens | Maruti Ertiga | Maruti XL6 |
| Length | 4540 mm | 4395 mm | 4445 mm |
| Width | 1800 mm | 1735 mm | 1775 mm |
| Height | 1708 mm | 1690 mm | 1700 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2780 mm | 2740 mm | 2740 mm |
| Ground Clarence | 195 mm | 180 mm | 180 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 45-litres | 45-litres | 45-litres |
Kia Carens vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga vs XL6: Features
All three vehicles have automatic climate control, rear air conditioning vents, a push start button, multiple power outlets, manually adjustable driver and passenger seats, an integrated touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity and connected car tech, and voice command, among other features.
The electric sunroof, wireless charging, an 8-speaker Bose music system, ventilated front seats, wireless charging, cruise control, one-touch folding second-row seats, and other features set the Kia Carens apart from the Ertiga and XL6. Even in terms of safety, the Kia Carens comes standard with six airbags, while the other two get one for the driver and one for the passenger.
Kia Carens vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga vs XL6: Engine Specs
The Carens has an advantage over the engine specifications as well since the Ertiga and the XL6 come with a standard 1.5-litre petrol engine that makes 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. The Ertiga and the XL6 get a choice of either manual or an automatic gearbox.
| Engine Specifications (Petrol) | Maruti Ertiga | Maruti XL6 | Kia Carens | Kia Carens Turbo |
| Displacement | 1462 cc | 1462 cc | 1497 cc | 1353 cc |
| Power | 103 bhp | 103 bhp | 113 bhp | 138 bhp |
| Torque | 138 Nm | 138 Nm | 144 Nm | 242 Nm |
| Gearbox | Manual/AT | Manual/AT | Manual | Manual/DCT |
| Mileage | 17.99 km/l | 17.99 km/l | 16.5 km/l | 16.5 km/l |
The Kia Carens is available with three engines: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol, and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel. There are three transmission options: a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic, and a 7-speed DCT with paddle shifters. The Ertiga receives a CNG variant, whereas the Carens does not, which could be a deal-breaker for customers interested in alternative fuel vehicles.
| Engine Specifications (Diesel) | Kia Carens Diesel |
| Displacement | 1493 cc |
| Power | 113 bhp |
| Torque | 250 Nm |
| Gearbox | Manual/AT |
| Mileage | 21.3 km/l |
Final Verdict
Given the pricing, the Carens is a much better package on paper and on the road. The Carens has better styling (opinions vary), more powerful engines, and more space, as well as a long list of convenience and safety features that may entice buyers away from the Innova Crysta. But if you want this feature-loaded Kia Carens you must know that it has one of the longest waiting period in India.
Maruti Suzuki, on the other hand, has a large service network in the country, moreover it has a plus point that it’s available in the CNG option. So, with the new Carens, can the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga retain its crown? We’d defer to you on that one.