Kia Carens 2022: the new generation of the people carrier arrives with SUV bodywork

Just a few days ago we showed you the sketches of what would be the new generation of the Kia Carens, and now the Korean brand has officially unveiled the model’s redesign at a world premiere event in India, with a much more attractive and modern look and strong reasons to become a bestseller.

Sold exclusively in the Indian market, the new Carens has a very fresh look, as it abandons the people-carrier bodywork it has kept since its launch in 1999 to join the SUV trend, the most in-demand segment for more than a decade.

A major change

The front of the new Carens features a modern, attractive and muscular look, thanks to a bumper with sharp shapes, a large opening in its lower section, and light clusters split into two parts: the upper one handles the daytime running lights and the lower one the low beams.

If we continue looking at its design, this time from the side, we find two pronounced style lines on the front wing and the hip, protective cladding on the lower doors and wheel arches in pure SUV style, a floating roof, and 16-inch alloy wheels with black accents.

From the rear, the new generation features LED tail lights with a sharp horizontal design, something we have been seeing on many new models lately, a fairly protruding plastic-finish bumper with chrome-coloured inserts, and a large rear windscreen that provides ideal rearward visibility.

Refreshed and highly tech-equipped

Inside, along with a modern cabin featuring an ambient LED light strip, an infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a new steering wheel, the Carens fits new ventilated seats in leather of quite an attractive design, offering great comfort to its occupants.

As we have already told you, the new Carens comes with numerous systems such as an smart air purifier, multiple airbags and safety systems, a driving mode selector, a sunroof, and generous interior space thanks to the increased wheelbase.

Its engines

As for the mechanical range, the new Carens will offer petrol and diesel variants with four-cylinder engines producing around 115 CV, paired with either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox or a six-speed automatic.