Kia has officially unveiled the Carens Clavis, a premium iteration of its popular MPV, the Carens. Dubbed as a spiritual successor with a luxury upgrade, the Clavis aims to deliver a more refined, tech-savvy experience while maintaining the practicality of its predecessor. With the official launch and pricing scheduled for June 2, 2025, prospective buyers are already comparing it with the current Kia Carens to see which model best suits their needs. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key differences between the two MPVs across design, features, powertrain, and pricing.

Design & Styling: Carens Clavis Adopts a More SUV-Like Persona

The Carens Clavis embraces Kia’s new global design philosophy, ‘Opposites United,’ giving it a bolder, more futuristic appearance. At the front, it sports L-shaped LED DRLs, a full-width light bar, and ‘Ice Cube’ LED headlamps, design cues borrowed from Kia’s electric lineup. In contrast, the standard Carens maintains a more conventional MPV design. The Clavis also gets revised front and rear bumpers, 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, new ‘Starmap’ LED tail-lamps, and a brand-new ‘Ivory Silver’ paint shade, distinguishing it from its sibling.

Interior & Features: Premium Tech and Comfort Upgrades in Clavis

Step inside, and the Carens Clavis makes a strong case as a luxury upgrade. It introduces a 26.62-inch dual-screen setup, seamlessly blending a digital driver’s display with the infotainment touchscreen. A redesigned dashboard gives the Clavis a more upmarket feel.

Additional highlights exclusive to the Clavis include:

• Panoramic sunroof (absent in standard Carens)

• Ventilated front seats

• Premium Bose audio system

• Built-in air purifier

• One-touch, double-folding second-row seats for easy third-row access

• Segment-first Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), featuring:

  • Autonomous emergency braking

  • Lane keep assist

  • Rear cross-traffic alert

  • Adaptive cruise control and more

The Carens, while feature-packed, lacks these advanced safety and convenience systems, making the Clavis a clear winner for tech-savvy buyers.

Powertrain Options: No Mechanical Differences

Mechanically, both models share the same engine lineup:

• 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol

• 1.5L turbo-petrol (now also available with a manual transmission)

• 1.5L diesel engine

The focus of the Clavis is on added features rather than performance enhancements, making it familiar to drive but more enjoyable to experience from a comfort and technology standpoint.

Price & Variant Lineup: Clavis Positioned Higher Than Carens

While the Kia Carens is currently priced between ₹10.6 lakh and ₹19.7 lakh (ex-showroom), the Carens Clavis is expected to start from around ₹11 lakh and go up to ₹21 lakh (ex-showroom).

Kia will offer the Clavis in seven trims:

• HTE

• HTE(O)

• HTK

• HTK+

• HTK+(O)

• HTX

• HTX+

This wide variant range suggests Kia is targeting a broader customer base—from buyers upgrading from entry-level MPVs to those eyeing feature-loaded premium alternatives.

If you’re on a budget or don’t need advanced tech features, the current Kia Carens still offers strong value with ample space and reliable powertrains. However, if you’re looking for a more future-ready vehicle with advanced safety systems, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium cabin experience, the Kia Carens Clavis clearly offers more for a relatively small price jump. The Clavis is essentially Kia’s attempt to redefine the premium MPV space in India without compromising on family practicality.