The Kia Carens Clavis has been unveiled and bookings will begin from 12:01am on May 9 on the brand’s website and at its dealerships. Prices for the Carens Clavis are expected to be revealed by May end. Essentially an updated version of the Carens MPV currently on sale, the Clavis suffix is meant to denote a more premium positioning. Compared to the MPV it is based on, the Carens Clavis sports Kia’s new design language, more features and tech on the inside, mildly tweaked interior, and more safety kit in the form of an ADAS suite. The Clavis MPV will go on sale with six powertrain options, and be available in seven variants – HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK+, HTK+(O), HTX and HTX+.
- Kia Carens Clavis to be available in eight exterior colours
- Interior mainly gets feature-based changes compared to the Carens
- Gets one additional powertrain option
Kia Carens Clavis exterior design
Clavis borrows from more premium Kia cars
Underlining its position as a more upmarket MPV, the Carens Clavis gets the latest iteration of Kia’s ‘digital tiger face’ – seen on the likes of the flagship EV9 – along with thin LED DRLs that flow into a triangular-shaped housing for the LED headlights. The front and rear bumper design is more angular, and silver bash plates add some contrast. While the silhouette is unchanged from the Carens, the Clavis does get new-design dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels. The rear is familiar, but the central LED light band is thicker in the middle.
Kia will offer eight exterior colour options with the Carens Clavis: Ivory Silver Gloss, Pewter Olive, Imperial Blue, Glacier White Pearl, Gravity Gray, Sparkling Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, and Clear White.
Kia Carens Clavis interior
Updates to the cabin mainly feature-based
While the overall layout of the Carens Clavis is the same as the MPV it is based on – both are available in 6-seat and 7-seat configurations – there are updates to the seat upholstery and door trim – lighter coloured materials have been used. The biggest changes are up front, as the Clavis features the 22.62-inch dual-screen set-up seen on the Seltos, which is made up of a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Carens Clavis also features new-design AC vents and controls for the Auto AC, and the MPV shares its flat-bottom steering with the Syros.
Kia Carens Clavis features and safety kit
ADAS suite, panoramic sunroof among the biggest feature additions over the Carens
In range-topping Carens Clavis HTX+ form, the features list includes a 4-way powered driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, the aforementioned 10.25-inch screens, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, connected car tech with a few remote functions, and a panoramic sunroof. This top-spec trim also features a 360-dgree camera and a Level 2 ADAS suite that brings functions like adaptive cruise control, front collision assist, lane keep assist, and more.
Kia Carens Clavis engine and gearbox options
Clavis gets 160hp turbo-petrol with a manual gearbox as well
Unlike the Carens, the Clavis gets one additional engine and gearbox option: the 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with a 6-speed manual. The 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol and 6-speed manual; 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with 6-speed iMT and 7-speed dual-clutch auto; and the 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic continue as is.
Kia Carens Clavis price estimate and rivals
Will not have any direct rivals
Considering the Carens is currently priced between Rs 10.60 lakh and Rs 19.70 lakh, the Carens Clavis will cost a marginal premium. This means that the Clavis has no direct rivals; the Maruti Ertiga (Rs 8.97 lakh-13.26 lakh), XL6 (Rs 11.83 lakh-14.87 lakh) and Toyota Rumion (Rs 10.54 lakh-13.83 lakh) sit at one end, and the Toyota Innova Cyrsta (Rs 19.99 lakh-26.82 lakh) and Hycross (Rs 19.09 lakh-31.34 lakh) are at the other.
Also see:
Kia EV9 review: German-class luxury?