RAISING THE BAR

The new Carens Clavis is here! But does it offer enough to make it a compelling choice for Indian families?

- AAKASH S PAUL

The Kia Carens has been selling well in the market, surpassing the sales milestone of 2 lakh units since its launch in 2021. More than three years on, this three-row offering was due for an update. But instead of introducing a direct replacement for the old model, Kia has launched a new, more premium and feature-rich vehicle based on the Carens: the Carens Clavis. While Carens reflects its lineage, Clavis derives from a Latin phrase meaning 'the Golden Key'. So, what key updates set the Carens Clavis apart from the standard Carens? Let's find out.

MPV TURNED SUV

Despite sharing its underpinnings with the Carens, the Clavis sports a distinctly different look.

This is largely due to design elements like the new Digital Tiger Nose grille and the striking Star Map LED DRLs paired with a redesigned headlamp cluster. The front fascia is mostly closed off - reminiscent of electric vehicles - and resembles Kia's newer models like the Syros and EV9. A prominent silver-finished chrome skid plate at both ends adds a rugged, SUV-like character, further enhanced by the raised bonnet, which gives the front-end profile a more commanding presence.

Contributing to its more premium appearance are the 17-inch alloy wheels, an inch larger than those on the standard Carens.