The Korean automaker Kia just launched the Carens Clavis, an upgraded version of its popular MPV. With a new exterior and interior design, a new Double D-Cut steering wheel, and a revamped dashboard, the Clavis comes with plenty of additions.
But how exactly does it differ from the original Carens? Here are 15 differences between the 2025 Kia Carens Clavis and the original Carens.
1. Cleaner, EV-Like Exterior
The Kia Carens Clavis exterior draws inspiration from the EV5 and EV9 all-electric vehicles, which follow the “Opposites United” design language. Now you know why the Clavis looks like an EV (there’s an EV version of the vehicle in the cards as well, more on that later).
2. Redesigned DRLs And Headlamps
The angled DRLs, triangular headlamp design, and a three-pod lighting system revamp the MPV’s front fascia. The omission of the blacked-out horizontal bands gives the bumper a cleaner look.
From the side, the Carens Clavis looks identical to the Carens, except for the brushed silver door accents on the door cladding. On the rear, the Clavis features sharper tail-lamps with an LED strip that runs across the vehicle’s width.
Moreover, the Carens Clavis looks like a cleaner and refined version of the Carens.
3. Bigger 17-Inch Alloys
The Carens Clavis comes with dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, a size bigger than the 16-inch alloy wheels on the Carens. Kia has also updated the design of the alloys, giving them a minimal yet classy look that complements the side profile.
4. Front and Rear Silver Cladding
While missing on the Carens, the Carens Clavis has silver cladding toward the bottom, which adds to the look. The company has also used silver cladding on the bottom of the rear bumper.
5. Redesigned Dashboard
The Kia Carens Clavis gets a redesigned dashboard with a connected screen setup that includes larger 12.3-inch infotainment and instrument cluster displays compared to the 10.25-inch on the regular Carens. The way the screens are placed is drastically different as well.
While the Carens had its infotainment screen embedded in the dashboard and far away from the instryment cluster, the Carens Clavis follows the similar design language seen on the new Kia vehicles, like the Seltos and Syros, wherein the displays are integrated in a single panel that runs from the center to the right corner of the dashboard.
To prevent scratches from ruining the look of the dashboard, Kia has used a matte-texture finish on the Clavis (vs. a glossy finish on the Carens). The HTK+ (O) variant of the Clavis offers beige-navy blue dual-tone interiors.
6. HVAC Control Panel And Ambient Lighting
The Kia Carens Clavis features a new HVAC control panel that can switch between infotainment and AC controls, allowing for quick actions while driving the car. From the HTK+ (O) variant, Clavis also offers a 64-color ambient lighting setup, with lights located on the dashboard, near the door handles, and other places in the cabin.
7. New Steering Wheel
A major change in the interior of the Kia Carens Clavis is the new Double D-Cut steering wheel borrowed from the recently-launched Kia Syros. The two-spoke wheel comes with the company’s branding and several multimedia controls.
8. Panoramic Sunroof
While the Carens offered a single-pane sunroof, some models of the Carens Clavis come with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, elevating the interior aesthetics. We’re talking about the HTK+ (O) variant with a 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine.
9. Electrically-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
While both the Carens and the Carens Clavis offer ventilated front seats, the latter comes with a 4-way powered driver seat, making adjusting the seat more convenient.
Also Read: Hyundai Exter Gets Two New Models With Sunroof: S Smart And SX Smart
10. Level 2 ADAS Features
With the Clavis HTX+ (DCT), Kia provides Level 2 ADAS features, including 20 functions like adaptive cruise control, front collision assist, lane keep assist, high beam assist, driver attention warning, leading vehicle departure alert, blind spot collision warning, etc.
Besides the Level 2 ADAS features, both vehicles offer six airbags standard across all trims, a 360-degree camera, front/rear parking sensors, and an electronic parking brake.
11. Additional Gearbox Option
The Clavis has borrowed the engine options from the Carens, but it has made one tweak to the combination of engines and transmission. While the original Carens wasn’t available with a six-speed manual transmission with the turbo-petrol engine, the Clavis is, along with the six-speed iMT and the seven-speed DCT options.
The Clavis is available with the following engine options.
- 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated petrol engine: 115 PS / 144 Nm; available with six-speed manual transmission
- 1.5-liter turbo-petrol engine: 160 PS / 253 Nm; available with six-speed manual, six-speed iMT, and seven-speed DCT transmission
- 1.5-liter diesel engine: 116 PS / 250 Nm; six-speed manual, six-speed automatic
12. All-Electric Clavis Could Debut Soon
Kia has already confirmed an all-electric version of the Carens Clavis. The vehicle is expected to break cover in 2025 (sometime in the second or third quarter of the year), and might offer a range of around 400-500 kilometers.
Also Read: Kia 2030 Roadmap: Targets 4.19 Million Units Globally With Major Focus On EVs And Hybrids
13. Pricing And Availability
The baseline Carens currently costs Rs. 11.40 lakhs (ex-showroom) in India. Given that the Carens Clavis is an upgraded version of the original vehicle, it could command a slight premium. The pricing of the vehicle will be announced on May 23, 2025.
The bookings of the MPV are already underway, with dealerships accepting Rs. 25,000 for reserving a unit for buyers.
14. Kia Carens Reduced To Baseline Variant
After the launch of the Carens Clavis, Kia has reduced the Carens to its baseline Premium (O) trim. While the vehicle will still be on sale, it will only be available as the base model; those seeking higher trims with better features can consider upgrading to the Clavis.
15. Slight Change In Dimensions
The Kia Carens measures 4,540 x 1,800 x 1,708 mm, while the Kia Carens Clavis measures 4,550 x 1,800 x 1,708 mm, making it 10 mm longer. It’s a negligible change, but something that shows up in the official specifications sheet of the vehicle, and hence, made it to this article.
The 2,780 mm wheelbase remains the same, however.
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