The Kia Carens Clavis offers a smooth driving experience with light controls, excellent visibility, and effortless power delivery. It stands out for its spacious and comfortable interior, making it ideal for families and long-distance travel. The car's practicality is highlighted by its usable third row of seating and ample boot space. Notable exterior features include an attractive and modern design, while the interior boasts good quality materials and an integrated infotainment system. The Kia Carens Clavis provides good value for money, offering a balance of features, performance, and comfort at its price point. Technical specifications include a Smartstream G1.5T engine, clutchless manual (IMT) transmission, and good fuel economy, especially on highways. Safety features such as multiple airbags and electronic stability program enhance the overall driving experience.

Kia Carens Clavis Key Specifications Price icon Price

₹ 11.50 - 21.50 Lakh Fuel Type icon Fuel Type

Petrol, Diesel Transmission icon Transmission

Manual, Automatic (DCT), Automatic (TC), Clutchless Manual (IMT) Engine Size icon Engine Size

1497 cc, 1482 cc, 1493 cc Mileage icon Mileage

15.95 - 19.54 km/l Safety Rating icon Safety Rating

Not Tested Seating Capacity icon Seating Capacity

6 - 7 People Size icon Size

4550 mm L X 1800 mm W X 1708 mm H Fuel Tank icon Fuel Tank 45 litre

About Kia Carens Clavis Model Launch Date

The Kia Carens Clavis was launched in India on 23 May, 2025.

Feature List

Externally, the Carens Clavis bears an SUV-like silhouette, digital tiger face, Ice Cube LED headlamps and DRLs, Starmap LED connected tail lamps, crystal cut dual-tone alloys sized at 17 inches, front and rear skid plates with a Satin Chrome finish, metal-painted side door garnishes, and a new Ivory Gloss Silver colourway.

Internally, the Carens Clavis gets a sliding, reclining, and one-touch tumble second row, walk-in lever, 26.62-inch panoramic dual-screen display, 64-colour ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, Bose eight-speaker audio system, control swap switch, ventilated front seats, and a four-way powered driver’s seat.

Engine, Performance, and Specifications

The Kia Carens Clavis gets three powertrain options – Smartstream G1.5 petrol (113bhp, 144Nm), Smartstream G1.5 turbo petrol (158bhp, 253Nm), and a 1.5-litre diesel motor (113bhp, 250Nm). There is a new six-speed manual transmission system paired with the former two. Other transmission options include a six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

Variants

The Carens Clavis gets six variants - HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK+, HTK+(O), HTX, and HTX+.

Safety

The Carens Clavis gets Level 2 ADAS, ABS, BAS, ESC, HAC, ESS, DBC, all-discs, impact-sensing auto door unlock, speed-sensing auto door locks, three-point seat belts, ISOFIX child seat mounts, highline TPMS, and rear parking sensors.

Rivals

Price-wise, the Carens Clavis MPV rivals the likes of the Mahindra Thar, Thar Roxx, Maruti Grand Vitara, Maruti XL6, Hyundai Alcazar, and the Volkswagen Taigun.

Carens Clavis Expert Review Engine and Performance Just like the standard Carens, the Clavis offers a versatile range of engine options to suit different driving preferences and needs.

First up, we have the familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which comes paired with a manual gearbox. For those looking for a bit more punch, there's the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. Interestingly, Kia is now offering this engine with not just the 6-speed iMT and the 7-speed DCT, but also a proper 6-speed manual gearbox. This will definitely appeal to enthusiasts who prefer a more traditional driving experience. Finally, for those who prefer diesel power, the Clavis comes with a 1.5-litre diesel engine, available with either a manual transmission or a 6-speed torque converter automatic.

From the moment you hit the start button, the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit makes its presence felt with a refined hum. This engine is a familiar yet welcome companion, delivering a healthy 156bhp of power and 253Nm of torque. It’s the same engine that does duty on the Seltos. But in the Clavis, it translates to a surprisingly linear driving experience. Acceleration is brisk, with the turbocharger kicking in smoothly to provide a satisfying surge of power.

The seven-speed DCT gearbox is a highlight, offering quick and seamless gear changes. In urban environments, the Clavis in Eco and Normal mode glides through shifts with minimal fuss, contributing to a comfortable and stress-free drive. For those seeking a more engaging experience, there’s also paddle shifters, allowing you to take control.

One of the noteworthy changes in the Clavis is the adoption of upsized 17-inch alloy wheels, a step up from the 16-inch units on the standard Carens. This not only enhances the visual appeal, giving the Clavis a more planted and substantial stance, but also contributes to a slightly firmer yet still comfortable ride. The larger wheels, paired with what feels like a subtly retuned suspension, strike a good balance between stability at higher speeds and absorbing everyday road imperfections. While we’d need more extensive testing on varied road surfaces to give a definitive verdict on the ride quality, our initial impressions suggest a well-controlled and mature ride. The steering feels adequately weighted and provides decent feedback, making navigating city traffic and winding roads a relatively pleasant affair. Overall, the engine and transmission combination in the Kia Carens Clavis offers a refined and enjoyable driving experience that feels a notch above its standard sibling. The added punch of the turbo-petrol and the responsiveness of the DCT make it a capable and engaging vehicle for both city commutes and longer journeys. Now, with the powertrain options laid out, let's address what is a significant change and a key point of discussion - the upsized 17-inch alloy wheels. Moving up from the 16-inch wheels on the standard Carens inevitably has an impact on the ride quality. Generally, larger wheels with lower profile tires can lead to a slightly firmer ride as there's less sidewall to absorb road imperfections.

Exterior Let's kick things off by talking about the looks. While it clearly carries the family DNA, there are some significant styling changes, particularly at the front and rear. Up front, the Clavis adopts a thoroughly redesigned face. Gone are the more conventional DRLs of the standard Carens, replaced by the striking, vertical LED DRLs that extend down into the bumper. And flanking them are the new LED headlamps, which now house the intricate tri-LED pods. Moving to the rear, the Clavis embraces the popular connected taillight trend. The sleek light bar stretches across the tailgate and if you look closely, the graphics within the taillight housings are also new and quite distinctive. Beyond the more obvious front and rear changes, Kia has also tweaked a few other elements. Notice the upsized 17-inch alloy wheels? They replace the 16-inchers on the standard Carens and definitely contribute to a more mature look. And if you compare them side-by-side, you'll also spot slightly reprofiled front and rear bumpers, further differentiating the Clavis.

Interior and Features Now, just like the exterior, the cabin has also received a noticeable uplift compared to the standard Carens. Importantly, it continues to be offered in both six and seven-seat configurations. And all the practicality and features you appreciated in the Carens have been carried forward here.

And in typical Kia style, you get different variant-based interior themes. For instance, in the lower trims, you'll find a smart-looking dual-tone black and beige theme. And the seats, featuring a combination of leatherette and fabric, not only look good but are also easy to clean.Move up the trim ladder, and you'll find a more premium Navy Blue and Beige theme, a familiar sight from the top-spec Carens. This combination, along with the beige seats and the different vertical patterns on the upholstery, lends a more sophisticated feel to the cabin. But the Clavis isn't just about aesthetics, it remains a genuinely practical MPV. You'll find plenty of thoughtful storage solutions dotted around the cabin. The large door pad pockets, the centre with a decent storage compartment, and for those hot Indian summers, the cooled cup holders in the center console are extremely useful. Adding to the safety and convenience is the inclusion of a 360-degree camera system. Kia has also made six airbags standard across all variants of the Clavis, providing crucial protection for all occupants in the event of a collision.

Conclusion So, is the Kia Carens Clavis better than the standard Carens? In many ways, yes! It's clear that Kia isn't just resting on the success of the standard Carens. They've taken a good formula and built upon it, addressing some key areas and injecting a healthy dose of modern flair and premium features.It offers a more modern design, a significantly upgraded tech-laden cabin, enhanced safety features, and a touch more premiumness overall. If you prioritise these aspects, the Clavis definitely presents a compelling upgrade....