Kia Carens User Reviews

Autocar India

•1d

Mostly city use, only about 500km a month, and a family of six that sometimes travels together consider the Kia Carens Premium (O) petrol manual. It is compact enough to be usable in Pune city, and the petrol engine avoids DPF-related issues. The cabin is much more modern, the seats are comfortable, and even the third row is spacious enough for adults. Not to mention, it is a lot easier to get into than the side-facing seats on the Bolero.With your limited usage, a diesel doesn’t make much sense, and while the Mahindra Bolero Neo will feel tough on broken rural roads, in Pune, the Carens will be the more comfortable, practical and safer family car. It is slightly pricier than the Bolero Neo, and if it's too much of a stretch, then consider the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.Take a test drive with the family, get into the third row, and see if it feels comfortable.

Kia Carens

Mahindra Bolero Neo

Autocar India

•2d

Given your mix of mostly highway use, low monthly city runs, a family of four and that your Kia Carens 1.4 turbo manual sometimes feels weak, the Mahindra XUV 7XO in petrol with the AX7 automatic is the better fit for you. The petrol automatic is not very fuel efficient, but given your low mileage, it should not matter that much.Compared to the Caren's, the XUV 7XO's 2-litre engine is much more powerful, and it feels strong even with four people and luggage or when you want to overtake on the highway. It also feels steady at speed, the seats are supportive on long days, and cabin space in the first two rows is generous, which suits your quarterly 800-1000 km trips.If music matters a lot, look at the higher AX7 trims that offer the factory sound system in the 7XO range. It is one of the best in this price band and a clear step up from most stock systems. Do confirm the exact trim name and audio package with the dealer, as line-ups change.A couple of things to weigh. It is a big car, so tight city parking will take a little more care than your Carens. Overall, for your highway-heavy use and your wish for space, reliability, and a good music system, the XUV 7XO AX7 petrol automatic lines up best and will feel like a clear power upgrade over your Carens.

Kia Carens

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•1w

Generally speaking yes, bigger, or more accurately more powerful engines can end up with a heavier clutch however it varies between models as manufacturers work on the system to lower clutch pedal effort. As for your particular car we would recommend asking the workshop to compare your clutch pedal effort with a new Carens manual, side by side. Drive them both and this will help your pinpoint if there is a problem with your particular car. If that is the case ask them to change the clutch fluid, check the pedal bush and spring, and inspect the pressure plate and release bearing. If any of these are worn or damaged, the pedal can feel much harder than normal.

Kia Carens

Autocar India

•6d

If you can install a charger at home, then go for the Tata Nexon EV 45kWh with your 250km daily Greater Noida to Gurgaon run, it is the calmest, lowest-cost way to cover this distance on a single charge. In our real-world testing, the 45kWh Nexon managed 350km (combined city and highway) on one charge, which is enough for your commute with some buffer. It feels smooth and quiet, pulls cleanly for quick lane changes, and the higher seating position and light steering make long hours less tiring.One thing to be aware of: at very high speeds, the range will drop faster, so stick to a steady 80–90kph to comfortably finish the day without a top-up. If you want to stick with CNG and need three rows, then consider the Kia Carens Premium (O), which can be had with a dealer-fitted CNG kit.Do a test drive of the Nexon on part of your actual route to see the range you get at your usual speed.

Tata Nexon EV

Kia Carens

Autocar India

•3w

For your requirement, the Kia Carens is actually a very good fit, and yes, it makes sense to consider it. Your usage is quite low at around 500 km per month, so a petrol automatic or manual is the right choice. Diesel is not required and may not suit such low running.The biggest reason the Carens works for you is the flexibility of 7 seats. It is also a comfortable car, especially for family usage. The ride quality is well-suited for city and highway driving, and the second and third rows are usable, which is important in your case.For your 1 km kuccha road, the Carens can handle it without any issues as long as you drive carefully. The suspension is compliant enough for mild rough roads, but it is not a hardcore SUV. So you will need to go slowly over bad patches.If you want something more rugged with better ground clearance, you can also consider the Tata Safari. It is better suited for rough roads and has a stronger SUV stance. While it is not as flexible or practical as the Carens as a 7-seater, it is still decent for family use. It is also a better 7-seater than something like the Mahindra XUV 7XO, where the fixed middle row makes the third row less flexible and more cramped.Go for the Kia Carens if your priority is comfort, space and flexibility for family use. Consider the Tata Safari if you want better rough-road ability and a more rugged feel, but with some compromise on third-row practicality.

Kia Carens

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO