KIA CARENS MPV REVIEW

For The seven-seater version is a practical and flexible MPV that's easy to drive, affordably priced and cheap to run. It all feels well screwed together.

Against The cheapest models only have five seats, and the cabin isn't as clever as it should be. The interior is drab, and the ride and handling don’t match the class leaders'.

What Car? says

2 out of 5 stars

Its relative lack of comfort and refinement mean it's not the best MPV you can buy, but it's a credible effort and the competitive pricing means it's hard to argue against.

Reader review rating

3.625

The Kia Carens MPV full review Read in full

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Diesel's probably the best
Ride & Handling
3 out of 5 stars
Stodgy handling; reasonably comfortable
Refinement
2 out of 5 stars
Some wind and road noise
Buying & Owning
3 out of 5 stars
Cheap to own; poor residuals
Quality & Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Solid, but unappealing plastics
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
ESP is standard
Behind The Wheel
3 out of 5 stars
Clear dash; average visibility
Space & Practicality
3 out of 5 stars
Spacious, usuable cabin
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
Decent across the range

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There are 4 Kia Carens versions available

Kia Carens MPV 1.6 1 (5 seat) 5dr	£14,695	What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Kia Carens MPV 1.6 CRDi 1 (5 seat) 5dr	£15,995	What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Kia Carens MPV 1.6 CRDi 2 (7 seat) 5dr	£17,495	What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Kia Carens MPV 1.6 CRDi 3 (7 seat) 5dr	£18,995	What Car? says:2 stars out of 5

Kia Carens MPV 1.6 CRDi 1 (5 seat) 5dr

It's dearer than the equivalent petrol-engined model, but worth the extra. And, as the cheapest diesel model, it's our favourite Carens.

What Car? says:2 stars out of 5

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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

Owning a Carens should be a painless experience, thanks to the seven-year warranty that comes with every car. However, the results of the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey show up a number of problems with the old model.

The range is relatively straightforward, with just one petrol and one diesel engine. We’d take the diesel, for its superior economy and stronger performance when fully loaded. That said, the petrol is cheaper to buy and copes well enough around town.

Entry-level 1 trim is five-seat-only and comes with a modest list of standard kit, although at least you do get air-conditioning. It’s only available as a five-seater, whereas the more expensive 2 and 3 models can be bought with seven seats. We’d go for the 2 in preference to the pricier 3 to make the most of the Carens’ fine value for money.