Despite being launched a few months ago, the waiting period for Kia Carens MPV has crossed the five-month mark for select variants.
Phasing out the introductory pricing, Kia has increased the prices of the MPV range.
While costs for some trims have only gone up by ₹ 20,000 (1.4P Premium and Prestige+ AT), some others are seeing an increase of ₹ 70,000 (1.5P Prestige and 1.5D Luxury+ 7S AT).
Post the revision, prices for the Carens currently range between ₹ 9.59 and ₹ 17. 69 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
Powering the Carens is a choice of two petrol and one diesel engine options. The petrols include a 115hp 1.5-litre naturally aspirated unit and a more powerful 140hp 1.4-litre turbocharged unit, while the diesel engine is a 115hp 1.5-litre mill.
Kia offers the Carens in a five trim levels — Premium, Prestige, Prestige Plus, Luxury and Luxury Plus. All variants get basics such as AC vents for all three rows and a one-touch electric-assisted tumble function for the second row seat as standard. The top-spec trim gets features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with connected car tech, keyless go, cruise control, auto climate control, ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging and rear-view camera.
Kia Sonet
Kia will update its Sonet compact SUV for 2022 by giving it new features and introducing more equipment in the lower variants. The Sonet is already one of the best-equipped compact SUVs in the market, and the updates will only strengthen its position.
In terms of safety, the Sonet will now get side airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system as standard across the range. It will also get curtain airbags on the HTX+ variant, which was earlier available only on the top-end GTX+ variant. These additions could be Kia’s attempt to get a step closer to the recent draft notification mandating six airbags from October 1, 2022.
The HTX variant will come with a digital instrument cluster. For the iMT-equipped HTK+ variant, Kia will introduce Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill Assist Control (HAC).
The 2022 Sonet is said to get a new ‘Sonet’ badging, and two new exterior paint shades — Sparkling Silver and Imperial Blue.
It is unlikely that Kia will make changes to the car’s powertrain. The Sonet comes with three engines — an 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine; 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine; and a 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel. It comes with five gearbox options, including a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed automatic and a 7-speed dual-clutch unit depending on what engine you choose. Kia could pair the iMT with the diesel engine like the Seltos, which is currently the only car in India with a diesel iMT option.
Kia Sonet rivals other compact SUVs like the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Hyundai Venue, Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Prices of the current Sonet start at ₹ 6.79 lakh, but it is likely to go up with the updates.
