Sector: MPV Price: TBA Range: 4.7-7.2l/100km CO2: 124-166g/km

C-segment MPVs may not be the most glamorous models on the road, but that is entirely in the hands of the manufacturers.

The problem is not a new one. Larger MPVs offer good accomodation, particularly for adult-sized passengers, but they are large vehicles that use more fuel than smaller cars and take up more space. Maximising space in C-segment MPVs tends to mean “squaring the box” – which might be good for interior space but might give designers less to work on. The result has been a flattening of the market – Kia quotes Dataforce figures to show that the C-MPV segment grew from 430,000 units in 2010 to 450,000 units in 2011 and fell back to 440,000 units in 2012.

Expectations are that the sector will grow to 600,000-700,000 units by 2016. The data applies to 12 Western European countries. Meanwhile C-SUV sales have grown from 290,000 in 2010 to 460,000 in 2012.

Kia’s answer has been to turn the Carens from a conventional-looking five-seat MPV into a sleeker, more sculpted design with the option of seven seats. It looks more like the cee’d hatchback than a conventional MPV, measuring 4,525mm long, on a wheelbase of 2,750mm and standing 1,610mm tall. It’s longer, lower and wider than a VW Touran. Yet Kia claims to provide among the best-in-class head and legroom in the front two rows. The rear seats and the front passenger seat will fold flat to maximise luggage space. With seven seats occupied, it offers 103 litres of space, or 536 litres with five seats up, to a maximum of 1,694 litres. There are underfloor compartments in the boot and for the second row, to keep valuables out of sight.

Kia will be offering a range of petrol and diesel engines. Diesels are based on Kia’s 1.7-litre common-rail unit producing either 115PS or 136PS, offering either 4.7l/100km or 4.8l/100km respectively with corresponding CO2 emissions of 124g/km or 127g/km. Alternatively there is a choice of 1.6-litre or new 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engines offering 135PS or 166PS respectively. Combined consumption is either 6.4l/100km or 7.2l/100km with CO2 emissions of 149g/km or 166g/km. Six-speed manual transmissions are standard, with a six-speed automatic available with the higher power diesel and petrol engines.

Out on the road, the diesel engines impressed with their refinement and flexibility, both in town driving and on the open road. A brief drive in the petrol models showed good refinement but, predictably, the 1.6-litre engine needed to be worked harder than the diesels to extract performance. For fleet buyers, the diesel is likely to be the attractive option with lower CO2 emissions.

The Carens also handled well with good ride quality and manoeuvrability. Inside it feels spacious – second-row occupants benefit from individual seats, which can be easily folded away when not needed. Typical of C-segment MPVs, third-row space is limited and the seats are best suited to children.

Optional equipment includes touch-screen sat nav and Kia is offering map updates for seven years. Other options include a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats and an extending front passenger seat, so front-row passengers can relax if the seats behind are not occupied. Perhaps Kia’s biggest problem will be the appeal of the Sportage for its style-conscious family customers, even though it lacks the Carens’ seven-seat option.

The Carens will be on sale in Europe during Q2.

Verdict

The Carens is an appealing C-MPV and shows again how quickly Kia products are developing from one generation to the next. The diesels would be our choice.