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The Seltos, the Carens' sister, offer the same types of engines and gearboxes. Therefore, a 1.5-liter petrol engine with 115 horsepower is available. A 1.5-liter diesel engine with a maximum power output of 115 horsepower is also available. The enthusiast-focused 1.4-liter turbo-petrol, meanwhile, produces a healthy and alluring 140 horsepower and 242 nm of torque.

The six-speed diesel is also powerful, capable, and effective when operated with a measured foot. Even while it's not the most refined diesel available, if you keep the Carens' engine running at less than 2,500 rpm, you hardly hear any engine noise.

The Carens may still be hustled to drive spiritedly, even though this combination feels best when driven with a light to the medium foot since it gives quiet and quick movement. But as the revs increase, the noise level will increase. Additionally, the paddle shifters may be necessary to aid the automatic in maintaining better control. However, the Carens in this diesel automatic configuration are more than capable of fast reaching triple-digit speeds and holding their own even on a twisting route where powerful corner exits and hefty throttle inputs are essential.

Performance-wise, the Carens diesel automatic achieved a rather respectable 0-100kmph time in under 12 seconds. a good performance considering it is an MPV. The 40-100kmph run was completed in just nine seconds, which is an indication of how simple it is to overtake, further demonstrating how drivable the Carens is.

The Carens may be a three-row MPV disguised as a sport utility vehicle, but it can still bring the 'sports' game to the corners. We agree that it does not have the best steering feel or reaction. When pushed firmly around a bend, there is also some body roll. And its length is noticeable while performing fast direction changes at high speeds.

However, it is simple, and often pleasurable, to work around these flaws. The steering, for example, is accurate and rather quick despite the lack of feel. And allowing the Carens to gradually settle on its springs when entering a corner allows for some rapid mid-corner speeds. When it comes to sudden direction changes, if you have quick reflexes or anticipatory ability, you can have some great tail-out moments and live to tell the tale.

But the Carens' real strength is its riding quality. The suspension's absorption and damping characteristics, particularly at the rear, are excellent. Show it a broken road, flyover joints, low amplitude speed breakers, or whatever, and it effortlessly glides over it all as if the road were pristine. It is also unconcerned with undulating roadways. All of this is true regardless of how quickly or slow one drive.

It does have two chinks in its ride-quality armor, nonetheless. The ride-through absorption is loud. And that makes the Carens seem like a car from a category below then it will come at. The other bit is the comfort levels for the last row of passengers. Right in the back, the ride becomes harsher and less absorbent. Furthermore, when driving on a bad road, the seats vibrate, further reducing comfort. The good news is that, unlike many other three-row vehicles, the Carens feels flatter and calmer in the rear, whereas the last-row occupants feel the wallowing over undulating roads far more than the rest of the car.

The Kia Carens is based on the Seltos. Kia, on the other hand, has significantly increased the length of the Carens to make it a useful three-row car. When compared to the Seltos, the width remains constant.

So, even though Kia designers did a good job of sprucing it up with plastic cladding around the wheel arches and a buff-looking front end, one look at the Carens in profile or from the front three-fourth angle reveals its MPV nature. It's also clear from its rear-end design, despite the liberal use of chrome.

Overall, the Carens is a good-looking car, albeit not particularly SUV-like. However, in a world where everyone wants an SUV, from an accountant to a celebrity, and from an 18-year-old to an 80-year-old, the Carens face an uphill battle.

The Carens' main draw is its standard feature set; specifically, its safety feature set. All Carens models come standard with six airbags, ESP, downhill brake assist, tyre pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, and ABS. The one-touch fold-and-tumble function for the left seat in the second row, as well as the sliding and reclining function for the entire second row, are also standard.

The sunroof, ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, and a Bose sound system as part of the touchscreen multimedia setup are unique to this Luxury Plus trim. The multimedia system's menu is detailed, the touch sensitivity is good, and the user interface is simple. This top-spec Carens also includes wireless charging with a cooling function, three driving modes, and paddle shifters for the automatic versions.

In terms of seating, the seats are very comfortable. No matter which row you sit in, these aren't exactly spacious chairs. As a result, larger people may find them inadequate. However, for the average-sized Indian, these should be comfortable, soft, supporting, and accommodating. Thigh support all around is also not a cause for concern. That means sitting for lengthy periods of time in these seats should be a breeze.

Except for the middle seat in the second row in the seven-seater version. The Carens is easily the most uncomfortable place to be. In fact, we'd classify it as a punishment posting because the space is limited, the seat-back is hard, and there's no thigh support.

The space management inside the Carens, on the other hand, is excellent. There is plenty of knee and elbow room in the front. The shoulder room in the second row is adequate, if not exceptional. Even though the second row slides fore and aft, there's enough room for an average-sized adult's knees even when the seat is set in the most forward position. The third row, however, surprised us with its knee and shoulder room for two passengers. It's quite generous.

The Carens is a well-thought-out, functional, and appealing product.

The new dashboard design, overall ergonomics, comfortable seats, the space available in all three rows, the long feature list, the absorbent ride, the lovely visibility and light controls that make it easy to drive, and, of course, the fitness of purpose, which is to transport six to seven people with as little fatigue as possible, all work in its favor.

But everything is not well with the Carens. The blue color of the dash, door moldings, and steering wheel, for example, will take some getting used to. Furthermore, the second-row split-bench seat is still more of a two-seater than a three-seater. This seems pointless given that a six-seater version with captain seats is already available.

The big question is, should you buy it?

If the Carens undercut the Seltos in terms of pricing, despite the latter's six airbags and standard ESP, the Carens will be an absolute no-brainer purchasing option. It would be a steal in reality. I understand that the price expectation appears to be a bit high, but if Kia wants to have a shot in this market, I believe it must do so. After all, everyone wants an SUV, and very few want an MPV that isn't outrageously cheap. Unless it's the Toyota Innova Crysta, of course.