Kia’s New ICE Minivan Looks Like A Crossover EV

Kia’s expanding portfolio welcomes the new Carens Clavis, a three-row crossover minivan for the Indian market. As suggested by its name, the model is an upgraded version of the Carens, albeit with fresh styling and more premium features inside the cabin.

The LED lightning signature of the Carens Clavis looks very similar to the EV5, Kia’s fully electric crossover. The front end features a slim grille along with a rugged skid plate and integrated intakes on the bumper, just enough to make you think it could tackle some uneven pavement at a mall parking lot.

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From the side profile, it’s clear the Clavis is closely related to the Carens, as the greenhouse and roof are pretty much identical. In fact, changes are limited to a slightly different side skirts, the new 17-inch alloy wheels with a bi-tone finish, and the exclusive Ivory Silver Gloss exterior shade. However, the rear end has undergone some changes, with slimmer full-width taillights and a more stylish rear bumper that’s more in line with Kia’s modern EVs.

Inside, the Carens Clavis features a slightly redesigned dashboard, although it retains the six- and seven-seater layouts of the Carens. The digital cockpit is shared with the Seltos, comprising dual 10.25-inch displays. This is combined with a redesigned steering wheel from the Syros, and a few other changes to the interior trim.

Equipment can include more premium features such as ventilated front seats, a Bose audio system with eight speakers, a larger panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, ambient lightning, and an ADAS suite with Level 2 capabilities.

Kia India / YouTube

The Carens Clavis mirrors the powertrain lineup of the regular Carens, including non-electrified gasoline and diesel 1.5-liter engines that can be mated to either manual or automatic transmissions.

The gasoline engine produces 113 hp (115 PS) in naturally aspirated form and 158 hp (160 PS) in turbocharged flavor, while the diesel is good for 114 hp (116 PS). The difference with the Carens is that the most powerful engine can also be had with a six-speed manual. As with most vehicles in the segment, all variants of the minivan drive the front wheels.

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One year ago, Kia confirmed they were working on a fully electric model based on the Carens. The EV is expected to launch in India in the second half of 2025, and could be exported to other markets. Reading between the lines, this model could be a zero-emission variant of the Clavis, justifying its sci-fi looks.

Kia will start accepting pre-orders for the Carens Clavis in India from May 9, while availability to other markets remains unconfirmed. Pricing will be announced at a later date, but it is clear that the new model will be more expensive than the regular Carens due to the extra features. The latter, launched three years ago, will remain on sale alongside its premium stablemate, offering a more budget-friendly alternative for those who don’t need the latest bells and whistles.