Carens making a comeback as Kia’s new small MPV

Kia’s revival of the Carens compact MPV has taken another step towards completion following a trademark application in India.

Reportedly on course to debut early next year, Autocar India reports that the Carens, a name last used in 2018, will be specific to India and measure around 4.5 metres in overall length, with seating for seven and possibly also five.

According to the publication, citing unnamed sources, the third row will be “useable”, meaning more space than its direct rivals, the Mahindra Marazzo and new Honda BR-V, the Suzuki Ertiga, its Toyota Rumion offshoot, the Renault Triber and the segment favourite Toyota Innova Crysta.

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As alluded to last year, the Carens will be based on the same platform as the Seltos and feature styling derived from not only it, but also the smaller Sonet.

Up front, the Carens’ Selton reliance will reportedly also include the 1.5, 1.6 and 1.4 T-GDI petrol engines, plus the 1.5 CRDI turbodiesel with transmissions set to comprise a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic and a seven-speed dual-clutch.

Spied by the publication appearing more substantial than the previous European-market model, more details, including teaser images, could well be divulged within the coming weeks.