Kia Carens Lineup Trimmed – Now Available in Just One Variant

With the arrival of the all-new Clavis looming, Kia has quietly pulled the plug on most variants of the Carens MPV. The company has retained just one variant—the entry-level Premium (O) seven-seater—priced at Rs. 11.40 lakh (ex-showroom). While this is the only version now officially listed, individual dealers may still have unsold stock of other variants and could be offering attractive discounts. If you’re eyeing a different trim, it’s worth checking with your nearest dealership.

What’s Left?

The only variant left standing is the Premium (O), which is the most basic version of the Carens. This trim is available across all three engine options offered by Kia—likely the 1.5L NA petrol, 1.5L turbo petrol, and the 1.5L diesel. However, it’s limited to manual transmission only, meaning automatic buyers are out of luck if they’re looking for a new unit.

Despite being a base variant, it does come with some decent features including:

• Dual digital screens with phone mirroring
• Four-speaker sound system
• USB-C charging ports
• Power windows
• Steering-mounted audio controls
• Indigo blue interior accents with a dual-tone cabin theme

While it lacks some of the premium touches of higher variants, it still offers a fairly usable and well-equipped cabin for its price point.

What’s Gone?

Until recently, the Carens offered a wide range of trims, including the high-end X-Line versions. These top-spec variants came loaded with features and were offered with automatic transmissions across both petrol and diesel engine options. With the discontinuation of these versions, Kia has effectively repositioned the Carens as a more affordable MPV offering.

This change comes at a strategic time. Kia had earlier stated that both the Carens and the new Clavis would coexist. It now appears that the brand is repositioning the Carens lower in the price ladder to create clear separation between the two models.

Why the Shift?

This shift in the Carens’ lineup seems to serve two purposes. First, it allows Kia to maintain a competitive entry price for the Carens, potentially appealing to cost-conscious buyers and fleet operators. Second, by clearing out the higher-end variants, Kia paves the way for the Clavis to fill that space with fresh features, new styling, and broader transmission choices.

Another angle is the possibility of a commercial-focused Carens variant based on the Premium (O) trim. This stripped-down, utilitarian variant could attract fleet buyers or be adapted for taxi usage—fitting into a segment where pricing and practicality matter more than premium features.

What’s Next?

With the Clavis expected to launch soon and pricing yet to be revealed, it’s safe to assume that the Carens’ revised variant lineup will help maintain a wide enough price gap between the two models. It also gives Kia a clear ladder of options—Carens as a basic, spacious MPV, and Clavis as the more modern, feature-rich alternative.

For now, buyers have a single variant to choose from if they want a new Carens. But if you’re interested in the outgoing higher trims, now is a good time to explore remaining dealer stock and cash in on possible end-of-line discounts.

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