Kia has just announced the prices of the new Carens Clavis and the numbers are mind-boggling. Starting at ₹11.49 lakh, this MPV comes in 24 different flavours, more than most of its rivals offer.
Clearly Kia isn’t taking any chances with this launch. The top-end variant is priced at ₹21.49 lakh, which is a nostalgic throwback to the top-end of the sentence.
The text is mostly free of spelling and grammar errors.Inside, the Carens Clavis makes a strong case for itself with practical features. The 26.62-inch dual panoramic display takes centre stage on the dashboard, combining infotainment and instrument cluster functions. More importantly, the second-row seats have sliding, reclining and electric tumble functions, addressing one of the biggest issues with three-row vehicles – third-row access.
The “Boss Mode” walk-in lever and ventilated front seats add premium touches, while the BOSE 8-speaker sound system should suffice for most music lovers. The dual-pane panoramic sunroof gives the cabin an airy feel, which is essential in a vehicle that can seat up to 7 people.
Safety hasn’t been an afterthought either. The Carens Clavis comes with ADAS Level 2 features including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, forward collision avoidance for cars, pedestrians and cyclists, and blind spot collision warning. Six airbags are standard across variants, which is becoming the new norm for family vehicles.
What’s interesting about Kia’s approach is how they’ve positioned the Carens Clavis against established players like the Mahindra XUV700 and Toyota Innova Crysta. The pricing undercuts the XUV700 in most trims while offering more features than the ageing Innova Crysta.
The sheer number of variants – 24 in total – reflects how competitive the MPV segment has become. Buyers today want flexibility to choose exactly the combination of engine, transmission and seating layout that suits them, rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all approach.
Whether Kia has got it right with this pricing is yet to be seen. The MPV market in India is notoriously finicky, where buyers are torn between three rows of practicality and the aspirational appeal of SUVs. The Carens Clavis has the features and pricing to make a mark, but success will depend on how well it delivers on real world usability and reliability.
For families looking at the MPV segment, the Carens Clavis is a good bet. The question isn’t whether it’s loaded – it is. The real test will be how it fares against the competition that has been around for years.
