It’s not unusual for automotive manufacturers to sell one product – a newer one and a relatively older one – under the same nameplate. We’ve seen multiple manufacturers practice this, whether it’s Honda with the City or Skoda with the Octavia, in the past. The result? Well, it seems to have worked so much that Kia has stepped up onto the trend bus with one of its mass market models – the Carens.

In essence, the Kia Carens is not an old product. It still comes with modern equipment and a good amount of space, rivalling the now slightly older Ertiga. However, what it required essentially was a nip and tuck job that made it appealing to a more premium buyer. Enter the Kia Carens Clavis. A slightly premium and handsome version of the Carens, and one that will be sold alongside the older car, making them both a Carens for each customer. And it goes without saying – plus we’ll also learn in the Kia Carens Clavis overview below – that the newer Clavis demands a slight premium over the older car. Let’s learn what’s new and what the Clavis inherits from the Carens.

Design

As indicated earlier, it’s better to examine the Kia Carens Clavis as a facelift to the Kia Carens rather than an all new model. Having stated that, you will like the little details the manufacturer has worked upon, which has changed the overall appeal of the vehicle without making it enter an unfamiliar territory. As much as we love new revolutionary designs, familiarity is something that sells far more in India, and Kia has made the right choice here in that regard.

The Kia Carens Clavis now features a more handsome and meaner looking front design. This is now replete with beefier headlamp clusters which replace the slimmer clusters. Shaped triangularly, these hold the low beam and the high beam projectors. The DRLs follow the new Kia design language more prominently and the thin array of light clusters flow seamlessly from below the bonnet to the apex of the headlamp cluster. The rest of the nose is covered and it’s only the bottom half of the bumper that opens up space for the air flow. There’s also a front skid plate to lend it a brawny character. Overall, the design at the front is a departure from the older Carens and does the job well to make it look like a more upmarket vehicle.

Things are not that well distinguished at the sides – as opposed to the older model – since the only prominent change here are the upsized tyres with the top-end trim now being fitted with 17-inchers and the new alloy wheel design. It does, however, lend it the appeal of a bigger car and to our eyes that’s one solid change as well. It’s the same story with the rear end as well. We now have sharper LED taillamps – and they are now connected and run across the width of the Kia Carens Clavis – along with a new design for the rear skid plate.

Interior and Equipment

The Kia Carens Clavis does boast a longer equipment list as opposed to the Carens, however, we do not think that the Carens was a slouch when it comes to equipment in the first place. The new Kia gets additionally a 360-degree camera, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, powered driver seat, and a smart key system that allows for the operation of all windows.

Equipment aside, however, and the talking point about the interior is the all new design. The manufacturer has updated the overall layout of the cabin, which now gets a new 26.62 panoramic display stretching from the driver instrument cluster to the infotainment system. The other big change is the new steering wheel with the offset Kia logo that we previously saw with the Syros.

The Clavis still continues to feature an 8-way BOSE audio system, wired Apple Carplay/Android Auto, smart air purifier, one-touch tumble down seat in the second row, automatic LED headlamps, and multiple USB-C ports across the cabin. The interior layout in itself is a huge leap forward and is set to entice the premium buyer as it does not take much from the older Carens.

Engine and Gearbox

We cannot wrap up the Kia Carens Clavis overview without addressing the engine and gearbox options, as Kia has once again proved the mettle by catering to every buyer in this space. Here are the engine and gearbox options:

• A 1.5-litre NA petrol making 113bhp, paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox
• A 1.5-litre turbo diesel producing 114bhp, mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic (6AT)
• A 1.5-litre turbo petrol, good for 158bhp and mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, apart from a 6-speed iMT (Clutchless manual) and a 7-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission)

The entry-level 1.5-litre NA petrol is a good engine for the city as it is very easy to drive and requires minimal gear changes as well. It’s the most efficient here as well. Sadly, out on the highway, it requires a lot of effort and is best for occasional long drives. The diesel is for the one who drives a lot, and usually on the highways. The turbo petrol is the one with the most transmission options and is the sprightliest engine of the lot. It is also the one that will keep you the most entertained while driving, just don’t mind the fuel efficiency numbers dropping while pushing it hard.

Ride and Handling

As mentioned earlier, the Kia Carens Clavis rides on 17-inch wheels on the top-spec trim, which sadly is a combination that’s only available with the turbo petrol. Contrary to what we think of it, this is the Carens Clavis that feels the most agile to drive thanks to the wider rubber and a slightly firmer suspension setup. However, it’s the variants with the 16-inch wheels that feel the most plush and easy to maneuver, aspiring what the Clavis aims to be, an MPV.

Thanks to the thicker rubber the Clavis here strikes a good balance between comfort and handling, making this the pick of the lot. The lower variants with the 15-inch wheels might have the most plushness, but we doubt the stability here given the size of the vehicle.

Variants

Similar to the Kia Carens sold alongside, the Clavis follows the same variant nomenclature with HTE being the base version and HTX Plus being the top-end. Not all variants are available with all engine gearbox combinations, with the diesel engine not being available with the top-end trim.

Verdict

Contrary to what the manufacturer says, the Kia Carens Clavis is indeed a facelift to the Kia Carens. Selling these models alongside is a good strategy considering Kia gets to cater to the buyers of both the vehicles. Individually, the Carens Clavis gives the Carens nameplate a fresh breath of air with a new upmarket design and a more welcoming interior. Buyers who thought the older Carens somewhat lacked the finesse of a premium MPV will find the Carens Clavis to be a better and more cohesive update.

This being a facelift, it does the job well of bringing a new and more aspiring buyer to the Carens nameplate, and that’s always a positive change. Oh, and yes, there will be an EV that’ll soon spawn out of the Clavis as well, making this the first mass market EV for the manufacturer in India. Spoiler alert, Kia is planning to unveil it in the coming month.