Kia Carens Clavis Expert Review

The Clavis sticks to the Carens silhouette when it comes to the design but with a fresh face. The most notable change is up front where the LED headlamps get a revised design featuring the LEDs stacked in an ice-cube like housing like we’ve seen on the Syros. The DRLs are now sharper and extend down into the bumper while the bumper itself is sharper and cleaner. The grille is slimmer now and overall there has been no change to the width of the car. Over to the side the wheels are new and also bigger in size at 17-inch. The design is sharp and gives the Clavis some extra height to boast. Wheelbase is identical and the lines have been carried over. At the rear the LED taillamps are conjoined with a thick light bar giving it the perception of a wider car. The bumper is sleeker like the front and there is a stop lap on the mini spoiler up top. Overall. It looks like an evolved Carens which is exactly what it was intended to do. 

Like the Carens, the Clavis can also be had as a 6 seater with captain chairs for the middle row or 7 seater that features a bench. The front seats are large and supportive and also hey electric control for the driver. Height adjust however, is manual. The passenger seat misses out on power adjust but both front seats get ventilation. The dashboard has also been revised while the blue and beige theme is carried over. You’ll also notice the new steering wheel that is also seen on the Syros and the switchgear feels high quality. In the middle row of the 6 seater, the seats are comfy, can be moved forward and backward along with a fair amount of recline. The new bit however is the addition of a panoramic sunroof that opens up the cabin. As a result the AC vents have been repositioned on near the door grab handles. There is also a boss mode that allows the middle row passenger to move the front passenger seat to elevate more room. Getting into the third row is also very easy courtesy the electric one touch tumble on the left rear seat. The third row is spacious for two adults and also gets type C ports for charging and AC vents. Backrests are adjustable and one can come a comfy spot for a few hours. With three rows up, the boot is impressive at 216-litres and there is some more space under the boot floor too. 
The spare wheel sits flush under the car. 
 

The Carens Clavis gets multiple powertrain options. The best one arguably is the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with 160hp mated to a 7-speed DCT. It’s powerful enough and while linear, never struggles for grunt. The dual-clutch automatic can be controlled via the paddle shifters too.
There is also a 1.5-litre diesel with a 6-speed manual and automatic which will be preferable for regular long distance drivers. As for the enthusiasts, the Clavis gets a 6-speed manual for the turbo-petrol engine. Gearshifts are slick and the clutch is well balanced making it an enjoyable experience. The drive modes further allow the driver to customise the powertrain performance with Sport being the most responsive and Eco being the most efficient. 

Official claimed economy for the 1.5 petrol is about 15.34 kpl, the lowest among the Clavis powertrains, but because it encourages an easy-going driving style, real-world efficiency should be respectable for daily commuting.

The broader Clavis range — including turbo-petrol DCT and diesel — officially returns up to about 16.66 kpl (DCT) and higher figures with diesel variants. These numbers should satisfy families seeking a balance of efficiency and performance in a three-row MPV.

The suspension of the Clavis has been tweaked compared to the Carens but it retains the character with a soft setup that takes on the bumps rather well. The bigger wheels let in some thuds at low speeds, but overall it remains a comfy ride. As for handling , the Clavis does not like to attack corners. There is a fair bit of body roll in tight bends and it is best to drive it sedately. 

The Clavis takes over the already well-equipped Carens and adds another layer of plushness. The 12.3 inch touchscreen and 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster sit flush in a single panel. The touchscreen is loaded with tech and gets all the essentials like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sadly, this isn’t wireless. It also gets in-built navigation, voice assist, a BOSE sound system, and an air purifier along with a crisp 360 degree camera. 
Safety is also impressive with 6 airbags with ABS and EBD along with ESC. The big new addition is the level 2 ADAS that works well and can be manually controlled. 

Priced between Rs 11.49 lakh to 21.49 lakh the Clavis offers a wide array of variants for different budgets. It is only slightly more expensive than the Carens which will continue to be on sale in a lower trim, presumably for fleet operators. The Clavis will aim to take the baton from the Carens and bring in more audiences to the showroom for its updated character. 
It remains a well-rounded, practical MPV for those who want a family car that is feature rich.