Kia Carens Now Available in Only One Variant – Premium (O) at Rs 11.41 Lakh

In a strategic move following the launch of the Kia Clavis on May 8, Kia has discontinued all Carens MPV variants except the Premium (O), which is now priced at Rs 11.41 lakh (ex-showroom).

 

Kia Carens Variant Lineup Reduced to One

 

Earlier, the Kia Carens was offered in as many as 10 trim levels, including the Premium, Prestige, Luxury, X-Line, and more. Kia even launched a Gravity edition, which has now also been shelved. Currently, only the Premium (O) trim survives, signaling a major shift in Kia’s product strategy.

 

This decision drastically limits buyer choices, particularly in terms of features and powertrain combinations. It also suggests that Kia might be phasing out the Carens altogether or positioning it strictly for fleet use in the future.

 

Powertrain Options Cut – No More Automatic Transmission

 

The updated Kia Carens lineup now comes with limited engine and transmission combinations:

 

- 1.5-litre NA Petrol (115 PS): 6-speed manual only

- 1.5-litre Turbo Petrol (160 PS): 6-speed iMT only

- 1.5-litre Diesel (116 PS): 6-speed manual only

 

This means no conventional automatic transmission is available with the Carens anymore.

 

In contrast, the Kia Clavis offers a wider range of transmission options, including 6MT, 6iMT, and 7DCT for the turbo petrol, and 6MT and 6AT for diesel variants, making it a more versatile option for those wanting automatic convenience.

 

Carens Premium (O): A Budget-Friendly Offering

 

The Carens Premium (O) is clearly aimed at budget-conscious customers. While it lacks premium frills, it still offers a practical feature set across engine options. Key highlights include:

 

Exterior:

 

- 15-inch or 16-inch steel wheels (engine-dependent)

- Halogen headlamps and tail lamps

- Shark fin antenna, rear skid plate (MIC Black)

- Body-coloured bumpers, side mouldings, and door handles

- Available in 7 colour options

 

Interior & Features:

 

- 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

- 12.5-inch LCD cluster with 4.2-inch TFT MID

- USB-A and Type-C ports, wireless phone projection

- Bluetooth, steering-mounted controls, 4 speakers + 2 tweeters

- Dual-tone black and beige interior with indigo accents

- Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines

 

Safety:

 

- 6 airbags

- Electronic stability control (ESC)

- Vehicle stability management (VSM)

- Hill start assist and downhill brake control

- Rear parking sensors

- All-wheel disc brakes

 

ADAS and Advanced Features Exclusive to Kia Clavis

 

While the Carens Premium (O) covers the basics, features like ADAS and other premium tech are only available in the Kia Clavis, highlighting Kia’s plan to position the Carens as a budget or fleet-focused option.

 

Kia Carens Rivals

 

The Kia Carens Premium (O) will continue to compete with rivals like the Maruti Ertiga, Maruti XL6, and Toyota Rumion. However, with fewer variants and features, the Carens might struggle to maintain market interest unless it’s repositioned smartly for the fleet segment.

Also Read: 3 New Mahindra SUVs in 2026: Petrol, Diesel Variants to Build on NFA Platform