Kia South Africa has confirmed it imported a couple of 4th-gen Carens units for “study” but adds this latest crossover-styled 3-row MPV will “not be introduced” to the local market…
While sifting through South Africa’s detailed new-vehicle sales figures for August 2023 , we noticed Kia South Africa had registered 2 units of the 4th-generation Carens, a crossover-styled 3-row MPV not currently marketed locally. So, we asked the South Korean firm’s local division whether plans were afoot to introduce this sub- Carnival vehicle to SA.
Though the Indian-built Carens – which is offered in the South Asian country in both 6- and 7-seater guise – was indeed under consideration for a local re-introduction (remember, this nameplate exited SA’s new-vehicle market back in 2009), Kia SA has confirmed it will not be sold here.
“These 2 units were brought into the country a while ago for homologation, study and consideration. This model will not be introduced to the South African market,” Kia SA told Cars.co.za .
So, what are we missing out on? Well, the 4th-generation Carens was revealed at the end of 2021 , built on a stretched version of the Seltos platform. Measuring 4 540 mm from snout to rump (so, slightly longer than the current Sportage ), the 3-row family vehicle boasts a generous 2 780 mm wheelbase. Unlike its decidedly MPV-shaped predecessors, the KY-series Carens features a distinctly crossover-inspired exterior design.
In India, the Carens is available with a choice of 1.5-litre engines, each driving the front axle: a naturally aspirated petrol unit (with a 6-speed manual gearbox), a turbopetrol motor (with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission) and a turbodiesel mill (using either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic cog-swapper).
Standard safety equipment offered across the Indian-market range includes 6 airbags, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, hill-assist control, downhill brake control, brake assist, tyre-pressure monitoring, front parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers.
Incidentally, Kia SA also registered 2 units of the Niro last month, in addition to the 2 examples imported in May 2023 alongside a single unit of the EV6 .
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