The newly revealed Kia Carens Clavis is positioned as a premium family MPV – a “signature” people-mover designed for modern Indian families. Its name comes from the Latin “Clavis Aurea” or Golden Key, reflecting Kia’s promise of unlocking family happiness. At its world debut, Kia highlighted the Clavis’s bold, SUV-like styling and tech upgrades over the standard Carens. The Clavis sits above the existing Carens lineup, with 6- and 7-seat layouts, a commanding presence, and “Opposites United” design cues. From the aggressive front fascia to the airy cabin with a panoramic sunroof, every detail is meant to make daily drives feel like a warm homecoming.
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Exterior Design
The Carens Clavis’s exterior blends Kia’s latest design themes into a bold, family-friendly package. Up front is Kia’s “Digital Tiger Face” grille in a matte finish with a diamond-effect trim, flanked by sharp new “Ice Cube” LED headlamps and slim Star Map LED DRLs that integrate turn signals. A thin illuminated light bar stretches between the DRLs for a modern look (a style seen on Kia’s EV lineup). The strong bumper and clamshell hood give the Clavis an SUV-like stance, further emphasized by silver-accented skid plates on the front and rear bumpers.
Around the sides, the Clavis gets 17-inch crystal-cut alloy wheels (up from 16-inch on the standard Carens) for a sportier look, along with contrasting wheel arch and side sill cladding. A shark-fin antenna and roof rails add utility on higher trims. At the rear, a continuous Star Map LED taillight bar ties the new “starmap” theme together. The tailgate sports a high-mount stop lamp and a sculpted bumper with satin-finish lower trim for a robust finish. In short, the Clavis’s exterior is designed to turn heads: its aggressive lights and trim make it look more like an upscale SUV than a bland MPV.
Interior Design and Cabin
Inside, the Carens Clavis cabin is bright and airy with a two-tone color scheme (such as Navy & Beige) and upscale materials. The dashboard is reshaped around a single 26.62-inch dual panoramic display panel, which combines a 12.3-inch digital driver’s cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. These crisp screens support wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air map updates, keeping tech intuitive and up to date. A double D-cut leatherette steering wheel, ambient 64-color LED lighting, and tasteful pad-print dashboard trim enhance the premium feel.
Seating is flexible: buyers can choose a six-seat layout with second-row captain seats, or a seven-seat bench layout. Second-row seats slide, recline and tumble electrically. The third row splits 50:50 and folds flat. Front occupants are treated to ventilated seats and a 4-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. A smart air purifier with an AQI display helps maintain clean cabin air. Clever touches abound: roof-mounted diffused AC vents for rear passengers, fold-out rear-seat tables with cup and device holders, multiple USB-C ports and a 12V outlet, and even a smart dashcam with a mobile app option on higher trims. Overall, the Clavis’s cabin is thoughtfully laid out for comfort, tech, and versatility on every journey.
Exterior Color Options
The Kia Carens Clavis is offered in eight vibrant monotone color options, catering to a wide range of tastes – from refined neutrals to bold, expressive hues. Each shade enhances the Clavis’s dynamic character and complements its SUV-like stance.
- Ivory Silver Gloss – A classic, premium silver with a polished sheen.
- Pewter Olive – A unique earthy tone that blends urban style with rugged charm.
- Imperial Blue – Deep, rich blue for a sophisticated road presence.
- Glacier White Pearl – A crisp, clean white with a pearlescent finish.
- Gravity Gray – A modern and understated charcoal gray.
- Sparkling Silver – A lighter silver with a metallic twinkle.
- Aurora Black Pearl – A bold, glossy black that radiates elegance.
- Clear White – A bright, solid white for a timeless look.
These hues, paired with striking LED lighting and sculpted body panels, let owners personalize their Clavis to match their lifestyle and personality.
Performance and Powertrain Options
The Kia Carens Clavis retains the same engine lineup as the standard Carens, tuned for peppy family driving. There are three 1.5-litre engines: a naturally-aspirated petrol, a turbocharged petrol (“T-GDi”), and a diesel. The Smartstream G1.5 NA petrol makes about 115 PS and 144 Nm (84.4 kW @6300 rpm, 143.8 Nm @4500 rpm), while the Smartstream G1.5 T-GDi turbo petrol bumps output to roughly 160 PS and 253 Nm (117.5 kW @5500 rpm, 253 Nm @1500–3500 rpm). The 1.5-litre CRDi VGT diesel puts out about 116 PS and 250 Nm (85 kW @4000 rpm, 250 Nm @1500–2750 rpm).
Transmission choices cover most needs: the NA petrol is offered with a 6-speed manual, the turbo-petrol adds a 6-speed “iMT” clutchless manual and a 7-speed DCT auto alongside its 6MT, and the diesel offers a 6-speed AT as an option. Notably, the turbo 160PS petrol now comes with a 6-speed manual option – something the older Carens lacked – giving enthusiasts more choice. This full spectrum of engines and gearboxes means buyers can pick fuel economy or brisk performance. In any case, the Clavis’s drivetrains are tuned for smooth family duty, whether hustling through city streets or cruising highways.
Features and Technology
The Carens Clavis is loaded with modern tech and comfort features that set it apart from conventional MPVs. A best-in-segment 26.62-inch dual panoramic display integrates the digital cluster and infotainment, complete with wireless phone connectivity and Kia Connect 2.0 telematics (offering 80+ connected car features like remote climate control, find-my-car, and updates). A physical Infotainment/Temperature swap switch lets users toggle controls between climate and media easily. Voice recognition supports multiple languages for navigation and commands.
Comfort tech includes ventilated front seats, a powered 4-way driver seat, and available dual-pane panoramic sunroof (a single sunroof on diesel models) to let light flood the cabin. The Clavis adds auto-dimming IRVM, telescopic steering, and 65W wireless charging for phones. A Bose premium 8-speaker sound system fills the interior with high-quality audio. Ambient cabin lighting with 64 colors adds to the ambience. For convenience, the Clavis even offers remote window up/down (via smart key) and rear door puddle lamps with Kia logo projection on the premium trim.
On the safety front, Level-2 ADAS is a headline feature. Even beyond ADAS, the Clavis comes with a 360-degree surround-view camera and front/rear parking sensors on higher trims, as well as essentials like six airbags, ISOFIX child-seat anchors, and all-wheel disc brakes. In short, the Clavis is packed with gadgets and systems normally found in luxury SUVs – from the dual-screen cockpit and connected services, to the air purifier, ventilated seats, and Bose sound – making it feel like a true modern family lounge.
Safety and Driver-Assistance
Every Kia Carens Clavis is designed around a “Robust 18 hi-safety” philosophy, meaning a full suite of 18 standard safety features comes on all variants. These include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill-Start Assist (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC). All four wheels have disc brakes, and a Rear Occupant Alert system warns if back seats are occupied when you exit. A high-line tire pressure monitoring system is also fitted. As Kia notes, “With 18 standard safety features… peace of mind isn’t optional, it’s built-in” – a strong reassurance for family buyers.
Beyond the base kit, the Clavis debuts Level-2 ADAS in this segment, offering about 20 advanced assistance functions. These include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (with pedestrian, cyclist, oncoming, and junction turn recognition), Lane Keep Assist, and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go. Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance (with brake) help prevent side and reversing accidents. Combined with a high-resolution surround-view camera, these systems act as a vigilant co-pilot. In everyday terms, the Clavis watches your back on highway drives, can brake or steer to avoid a crash, and even apply the brakes if a forgotten child or pet is detected in the rear seat. For a family MPV, these active safety nets are especially valuable, reinforcing Kia’s family-first focus on protecting all occupants.
Trim Levels and Variants
The Carens Clavis is offered in seven trim levels (HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK+, HTK+(O), HTX, and HTX+), each adding progressively more equipment.
- HTE (Base) – A six- or seven-seater with the core family essentials. Standard kit includes a 4.2-inch colour MID, ORVM wipers, skid plates front/rear, a rear roof spoiler, dual-tone cabin scheme, power windows, a one-touch tumble-fold for the 2nd row, a 50:50 third row with recline, plus a basic audio system. Safety gear on HTE includes 6 airbags, ESC, VSM, HAC, DBC, ABS with EBD and brake-assist, and all-wheel disc brakes.
- HTE (O) – All HTE features, plus automatic LED headlamps, electric ORVMs with turn indicators, a shark-fin antenna, steering-wheel audio controls, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (replacing the 4-speaker system) and reverse camera. It also adds keyless entry with push-button start, and rear parking sensors.
- HTK – Adds on to HTE(O): LED daytime running lamps, silver roof rails, a full dual-tone interior (black dashboard), and upgraded seat fabric. Convenience features include automatic climate control, front seatback pockets, a one-touch up/down driver’s window, front parking sensors, and a boot lamp.
- HTK+ – Building on HTK, this trim adds LED rear tail-lamps (connected by a light bar), chrome window-line trim, auto-folding mirrors, rear wiper/defogger, and smart key with remote engine start. It also gets cruise control, push-button start, and (with AT/DCT only) an electric parking brake with auto-hold, as well as selectable drive modes (Eco/Normal/Sport).
- HTK+ (O) – All of HTK+ plus a panoramic sunroof (single pane on petrol/diesel), 17-inch alloy wheels (dual-tone), wireless phone charger, and LED cabin lighting. This “O” variant also has a black roof option (dual-tone paint).
- HTX – A top-spec variant. It gets full LED headlights with integrated DRLs, body-color painted skid plates, and all the HTK+ kit. Inside, HTX has a premium beige-navy leatherette cabin, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof on the turbo-petrol (single on diesel), auto-dimming IRVM, telescopic steering, retractable rear-seat tables, and ambient 64-colour lighting. Crucially, it introduces the 26.6-inch dual screen (12.25″ cluster + 12.25″ infotainment with navigation and Kia Connect), voice-control windows, cooled cup-holders (front and rear), roof-mounted diffused AC vents, and a 360° surround-view camera with Blind-View Monitor
- HTX+ – The ultimate trim (turbo-petrol only) adds premium creature comforts: second-row captain seats (six-seater) with sliding/reclining/tumble, ventilated front seats, a 4-way power driver’s seat, rain-sensing wipers, a passenger-side walk-in lever, and rear door “puddle” lamps with logo projection. It also includes an 8-speaker Bose sound system, paddle shifters (on DCT), dual-camera dashcam, and the full Level-2 ADAS suite. In other words, the HTX+ is packed with nearly every feature – from luxury seating to safety tech – that Kia offers on the Clavis.
Each step up in trim brings clear upgrades: from basic family comfort and safety in HTE, to connectivity and lights in HTE(O) and HTK, to sunroof and alloys by HTK+, and finally to luxury and driver aids in HTX/HTX+. This broad lineup lets buyers match budget with desired features, from a sensible seven-seater up to a full-loaded MPV.
Competition
In India’s market for three-row family vehicles, the Kia Carens Clavis will square off against a number of rivals in the 6/7-seat MPV segment. These include other premium people-movers like the Maruti Suzuki XL6 (a twin of the Ertiga with captain seats), Toyota Rumion (a rebadged Ertiga), and Hyundai Alcazar (the 7-seat version of the Creta). Depending upon its pricing it could also rival some entry levels of the Toyota Innova Hycross, MG Hector Plus, Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari.
The Complete Family Car?
The Kia Carens Clavis makes a strong case as a signature family car for modern India. It retains the spacious, 3-row practicality families need, but wraps it in a stylish SUV-like body and a cabin full of modern comforts. With its golden-key name and “Opposites United” design, the Clavis stands out as both welcoming and sophisticated. Packed with connectivity (Kia Connect), convenience (panoramic sunroof, wireless charging), and safety (18 features + Level-2 ADAS), it lets every drive – from daily school runs to weekend getaways – feel effortless and enjoyable. In short, the Clavis is not just an MPV; it’s a family lounge on wheels, ready to make even mundane journeys feel like special, shared adventures.
