Kia’s fourth product for India, previously known as the ‘KY,’ has been renamed the Kia Carens ahead of its launch next year. Underpinnings for the Carens will be similar to that of the Seltos, but with a longer wheelbase to accommodate the third row of seats.
The name Carens is not new to Kia, as the company previously sold a compact MPV in the international market under the same name. However, that model was discontinued in 2018, and the name will now make a comeback on this all-new model, which will be sold in India and abroad.
Kia has been testing its upcoming three-row model for some time now, with images of test mules making the rounds on the internet. These images show a model with a similar design to the Seltos, but with a larger glasshouse and a longer wheelbase. The Carens is expected to be longer than the Seltos, with dimensions similar to the Hyundai Alcazar.
The Carens name is “based on the concept of ‘Car + Renaissance,’ which signifies the beginning of a new era of cars,” according to Kia. Kia claims that the Carens MPV, which is aimed at modern Indian families,’ will carve out its own market segment.
With the exception of the Marazzo, the Kia Carens will have no direct competitors at launch, but it will have to compete with three-row SUVs in the same price range, such as the Alcazar, MG Hector Plus, and Tata Safari. When it is released in the first quarter of 2022 (January-March), prices for the Kia Carens are expected to range between Rs 12 and Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom).