So I test drove the new Kia Carens 2025 last weekend, and honestly? I’m kinda impressed! Wasn’t expecting much from a family car, but Kia’s done something pretty cool here.
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Looks Better Than Your Average Family Hauler
First off, it doesn’t scream “I’ve given up on life” like most family cars. The front end looks pretty aggressive with this piano black grille area and those split headlights. From the side, yeah, you can tell it’s designed to haul people, but they’ve added enough styling touches that it doesn’t look boring.
My only real complaint? The 16-inch wheels look way too small for a car this size – like someone wearing shoes two sizes too small. Would’ve looked way better with 17s.
What really surprised me is how BIG this thing is. It’s actually longer than the Innova Crysta’s wheelbase by 30mm! That’s crazy considering the price difference between them.
XUV 700 is aslo. a good option in this Range as well
Inside is Where It Really Shines
Jump in and the first thing you notice is that it doesn’t feel cheap. The dashboard has this nice dual-tone setup with glossy sections and a chrome strip running across. There’s an AC vent that spans the entire width which looks pretty premium.
The seats are super comfy with this nice leather and blue piping. The 10.25-inch touchscreen works well, and there’s a digital instrument cluster that’s clear and easy to read.
But the best part? STORAGE EVERYWHERE! Seriously, there’s places to put your stuff all over this car. The center console is deep, door pockets can hold three bottles each, and there’s all these clever little spots for things like coins, phones, and whatever else you’re carrying.
The rear doors open SUPER wide, which is amazing when you’re dealing with car seats or helping older folks in and out. I checked out the 6-seater with captain chairs in row two, and there’s tons of legroom. You can slide and recline the seats, and there’s even this little tray with a phone/tablet holder on the seatbacks – perfect for keeping kids entertained.
There’s an air purifier too, though it’s a bit bulky and noisy. Third row access is pretty easy with this electric tumble function, though weirdly it’s only on one side of the car.
Driving and Engines
I tested the 1.4L turbo-petrol with the DCT gearbox, and it’s surprisingly zippy for a family car. Not sports-car fast obviously, but definitely not the sluggish experience I was expecting. The ride is comfy without being too floaty, and ground clearance is good enough that you don’t stress about every speed bump.
You can also get it with a basic 1.5L petrol or a 1.5L diesel if you drive a lot. Transmission options include manual, DCT, or a 6-speed auto depending on which engine you pick.
Price and Final Thoughts
Starting around ₹10 lakhs and going up to about ₹18 lakhs (ex-showroom), it’s actually pretty good value when you look at what you’re getting. You can choose between 6 or 7 seats across different trim levels.
Things I really loved:
- Doesn’t look like a boring people-mover
- Those wide-opening doors are a game-changer
- SO MUCH interior space and storage
- The captain seats are super comfy
- Features like ventilated seats and Bose audio are nice bonuses
Could be better:
- Those tiny wheels look weird on a car this size
- Missing some premium features like panoramic sunroof
- Third row could use dedicated AC vents
Honestly, if you need a family car but don’t want something totally soul-crushing, the Carens is worth checking out. It manages to be practical without making you feel like you’ve completely surrendered to domesticity. I really didn’t expect to like it as much as I did!
It’s not perfect – what car is? – but it’s a solid choice that won’t make you depressed every time you look at it in your driveway. And for a family car, that’s saying something!
Author- Ayush
