Review Of The all-new Kia Carens
This 3rd generation model is part of Kia’s modern rejuvenation that has seen the brand and their profits skyrocket. This compact 7 seat MPV is smart, solidly engineered, practical, well built and great value for money – it’s basically everything you need to tick in a family vehicle of this kind. Now the only MPV in the Kia line up, this new Kia Carens is a big step forward for the South Korean brand.[vc_single_image image=”46209″ img_size=”article-image”]The Kia Carens is a much more desirable proposition. It’s pretty stylish – the front design bares the now familiar Kia ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, with sharp contour lines accompanied by LED daytime running lights either side. It’s all cleaner and more appealing in a way that emphasises the more dynamic styling. An interesting point is that it’s bigger on the inside despite the fact that it’s now shorter, lower and slimmer than before. This is due to a new, longer wheelbase that puts it on par with ‘larger’ and more expensive rivals like the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer. The idea behind this new Kia Carens is to be more streamlined by offering only a 7 seat model. How does it handle the 3rd row despite the fact that it’s not a great deal larger than a Ford Focus? Well don’t expect miracles – a comfy 3rd row is something that evades all cars in this segment. Space-wise it’s pretty much on par with similar rivals. It’ll suit a couple of kids easily but adults will find it a bit more on the cramped side. It is a lot easier to access. You can also try and optimise leg room in the Kia Carens by trading space with the passengers in front via the forwards and back sliding 2nd row seats. The seats in the middle row are also individually reclining which is a good host of adjustability options to ensure you can find a good amount of comfort.[vc_single_image image=”46211″ img_size=”article-image”]The middle seat of the Kia Carens can also be folded down if you’re not using it to form a handy table complete with cup holders. There are also good sized underfloor compartments and aeroplane style seatback tables. In the front of the cabin its clean and smart, everything functional and easy to hand. Sure there are classier, more interesting cabins, yet this is not bad either. The boot space is understandably small when all 3 rows of seating are in action. This little area is well prepared with a great underfloor compartment, netting, and hooks complete with a cool detachable cargo area light. When you fold the 2 back seats down, you will have a full 71ltrs more than the predecessor model at 492ltrs. This can be extended even further by folding down the 2nd row seats to reveal a flat bottomed cargo area that measures a maximum capacity of 1650ltrs. You can also fold the front passenger seat to carry longer items should you wish. The MPV segment has never prioritised driving dynamics; most people seeing it as a comfy yet functional tool to ferry kids/people around in. Kia have made an effort to keep this class competitive in this respect though.[vc_single_image image=”46210″ img_size=”article-image”]They’ve given the Kia Carens a much stiffer chassis (one that works well when compared to the likes of the roly-poly Citroen Grand Picasso), an improved engine range and the inclusion of Kia’s Flex Steer system. It’s certainly a better thing behind the wheel than before, but in a more overall sense nothing too drastic has happened here. The gearshift isn’t particularly slick and the steering is nice and direct but lacks a bit of feedback. This can be altered with the Flex Steer feature, yet this seems to veer between being too heavy or too light which is not particularly helpful unless you dig that kind of driving. Throwing it around corners at speed will, unsurprisingly, make it roll about quite insistently, but if you drive the Kia Carens in a more relaxed fashion you should find it a decent enough ride. The engine choices on offer for the 2015 Kia Carens will most likely see you selecting between the 133bhp 1.6ltr GDi petrol unit and the 114bhp 1.7ltr CRDi diesel engine. There is also an expensive 134bhp variant of the diesel, but this will be a niche choice. That being said, the high rev torque is very handy for carrying big loads. Between the 2 mainstream units though, they reach 112mph at top speed. The petrol is slightly quicker off the mark, hitting 62mph in 10.9 seconds compared to the 114bhp diesel’s 12.6. However the extra 95Nm of torque will make the diesel Kia Carens feel a bit livelier in your hands. Plus the extra weight at the front will contribute to confident handling.[vc_single_image image=”46209″ img_size=”article-image”]All in all, what’s the lowdown with the Kia Carens? This 3rd generation model is a huge step forward, being much more effective and desirable than before. It’s an easy sell that ticks all the relevant family carrying vehicle boxes and while it might be a bit pricier than before, it offers a lot more and boasts fantastic value for money in a way that will ensure plenty of new sales.
If you want to get hold of the Kia Carens then don’t hesitate to leave us a message on our contact us page or give us a call on 01903 538835 to find out about our Kia lease deals.[vc_single_image image=”46212″ img_size=”article-image”]
