When you think MPV, you think of something practical but nothing much more. They’re seen as the modern equivalent of beasts of burden—great at ferrying passengers and large cargo. It isn’t something you bring to a Friday night date much less brag to the entire barkada. It’s a car purchased mostly because of necessity rather than desire. That is until the sleek and sexy Kia Carens came along.

Exuding as much appeal as a Victoria’s Secret model, the all-new Carens is designed from a clean-sheet design and is truly contemporary and distinctive. The outside is downright sporty with its cab-forward design, short overhangs, LED park lamps, and standard 205/55R16 tires (the top-of-the-line EX gets 225/45R17s). It marks a dramatic shift away from the looks of its more subdued predecessor, but is able to maintain the Carens’s functionality. In terms of dimensions, the all-new Carens is actually shorter (20 mm), narrower (15 mm), and lower (40 mm); yet it features an increased wheelbase. An improved interior design and packaging also enlarges the passenger room.



Inside, the Carens is a truly innovative MPV that introduces a wealth of modern comfort and convenience features that advance every aspect for all occupants. First, drivers will enjoy excellent ergonomics thanks to the standard tilt/telescopic steering wheel, height-adjustable driver’s seat, and an “organ-type” accelerator pedal which features a pivoting mechanism on the floor.
Under the hood of the all-new Carens is a new 1.7-liter CRDi engine with 136 horsepower and 330 Nm of torque for the M/T and 319 Nm for the A/T. Both transmissions have six forward ratios with the automatic gearbox receiving a manual override function. To match the new powerplant, the Carens features a re-engineered suspension system with its MacPherson Strut front suspension now mounted on an all-new sub-frame to isolate the cabin from road shock. The rear suspension features a new Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) which replaces the previous model’s multi-link system. And in order to give the Carens a new-found feeling of sportiness, it comes standard with the Flex Steer System as standard. This system offers three different steering weights to match customer preference: Normal, Sport, and Comfort. Finally, the Carens comes with all-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment coupled with the security of anti-lock brakes. The range-topping EX receives ESP or Electronic Stability Program as standard as well.



The all-new Kia Carens has two trim levels: the entry-level LX and the higher-trim EX. All models come with a seven-seater capacity and are differentiated mainly by the addition of convenience features. The EX model receives the benefit of a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, panoramic sunroof, full leather upholstery, dual zone automatic climate control, light-sensing headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and an integrated audio system with a large 4.3-inch TFT LCD display, Apple iPod integration and Bluetooth hands-free. Outside, the EX is differentiated by its standard front fog lamps, puddle lamps, side mirror integrated turn signal repeaters, mudguards, and roof rails.

Engineered for the modern family, the Kia Carens is sure to offer a unique combination of style, function, comfort, and refinement never before seen in the MPV segment. With its stunning new look and enhanced features, the all-new Kia Carens features a MSRP of P 1,140,000 for the LX M/T, P 1,230,000 for the LX A/T, and P 1,480,000 for the EX A/T. It’s available in a suite of colors of five colors, the availability of which depends on the variant.



The all-new Kia Carens is set for a public launch at the Bonifacio High Street (BHS) Central Fountain Area, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Friday, May 31. Everyone is invited to witness the revolutionary new sexy MPV.