Making something good even better is not an easy task, but that is exactly what Kia India has done with the new Carens Clavis. The Carens redefined the multi-person vehicle space, combining not only the great functionality and practicality of a three-row seven-seat vehicle but added great drivability as well, proving that MPVs don’t need to be boring. Little wonder that the distinguished jury of the Indian Car Of The Year (ICOTY) handed the Carens the top award for 2023, marking the first time that Kia India won the prestigious award.
Making something good even better is not an easy task, but that is exactly what Kia India has done with the new Carens Clavis. Both inside and outside, the vehicle has been completely changed, offering buyers in the MPV space unparalleled comfort inside and turning heads on the outside with no compromises on safety. Indeed, the Clavis sets new standards in its segment for safety both active and passive.
But to start with, the Clavis offers three different powertrains to suit diverse driving styles and needs which is accentuated by the choice of different transmission options that allow the driver to enjoy the drive. There is the Smartstream G1.5 naturally-aspirated petrol engine that offers superb fuel economy and the unique intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT). The 1.5-litre Common-Rail Diesel injection (CRDi) engine features the latest generation variable geometry turbo that combines power and fuel efficiency while adhering to Bharat Stage 6 emission norms.
But the cherry on top is the 1.5 litre Smartstream turbocharged petrol engine with 160PS of power and the optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which changes gear in the blink of an eye and smoother than anything else available on a MPV. The three engine options coupled with multiple transmission options opens up a world of possibilities to those who want an MPV.
But great engines and transmissions are not what really sell cars – looks and features do and on that front, the Clavis is miles ahead of the competition. Starting at the very front of the vehicle, with Kia’s new signature ‘Digital Tiger Grille’. The Ice-Cube shaped MFR LED triple highlights light up even the darkest roads and together now give the Clavis the Kia family look. And the family look on the Clavis extends to the interiors as well. With 67.6 centimeter dual panoramic screen, one for the digital cockpit instrument cluster and one for the infotainment system, the Clavis raises the game on the digital front in its segment.
The driver’s seat is genuinely a nice place to sit on the Carens Clavis and has four-way electrical adjustment. With the new steering wheel design, the Kia Carens Clavis exudes modernity for the driver. And with the 64K colour ambient light system coupled with the premium BOSE sound system with eight speakers, long drives will become even more enjoyable with family or friends.
But it gets even better on The Kia Carends Clavis thanks to the active safety features on the car. Several manufacturers talk about Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on their vehicles, but Kia Motor is one of the only manufacturers to walk the talk with ADAS by offering Level 2 ADAS using ultrasonic sensors in conjunction with cameras. There are 20 autonomous active safety features on the Carens Clavis. These include Smart Cruise Control and Front Collision Warnings for pedestrians and traffic as well as Lane Keeping Assist.
But the most useful and unique features are the Blind-Spot collision warnings, Blind-Spot camera assistance as well as rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. So when you are backing out into traffic at a crowded parking lot, the Carens Clavis will help prevent a collision by braking even before the oncoming traffic has a chance to blare the horn. On an expressway while cruising at high-speed, the ADAS on the Carens Clavis will sound a warning if there is traffic behind you in the adjacent lanes before you begin an overtaking maneuver.
While active safety features are useful, in the rare chance that the Carens Clavis is involved in an incident the strong structure of the vehicle utilises modern construction techniques and Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) in critical areas that absorb impact forces to keep occupants safe. This is in addition to the standard six airbags across the Carens Clavis range. There are also features such as Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) that makes driving in hillstations stress-free.
But to make stress-free in the first year of ownership, Kia India offers the unique ‘Scratch Care Program’, which no other automotive manufacturer in India does. You know how the first scratch on a new vehicle really gets to you, well, Kia India offers free repair for one scratch within the first 12 months of ownership. Nobody wants to scratch their car, but one knows how traffic and road conditions might lead to an inadvertent scratch. This service gives peace of mind to owners.
These are over and above class-leading extended warranty called ‘My Convenience Plus’ that combines an extended warranty, maintenance and roadside assistance and can be structured specifically to the owner’s usage patterns. But if you don’t want a full-fledged package, one can take the extended warranty package that covers unexpected electrical and mechanical failures.
The Kia Carens Clavis thus is a combination of great features that offer unparalleled comfort, great drivability but peace of mind for the owner. And isn’t that what an award winning vehicle should be all about?
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