2022 Kia Carens to go after Toyota Rush, Mitsubishi Xpander sales

For years, the Japanese manufacturers have ruled the subcompact sedan class. There were some that stepped up to the plate such as the Chevrolet Spin, but no other non-Japanese automaker has made a dent in that segment. However, the South Koreans want to take on the class establishment.

Stepping up to the plate is Kia with a name from the past. Kia has recently brought back the Carens and rebooted it as a subcompact crossover. That means it's up against the likes of the Honda BR-V, Mitsubishi Xpander, Suzuki XL7, and the segment's best-seller, the Toyota Rush. So what does the Kia have to offer?

The 2022 Kia Carens is based on the Seltos crossover. That alone tells you that this model has a little more ground clearance than the usual people carrier. As for design, it follows the brand's current design direction. That means a radical-looking front end with a two-tier light design. The LED daytime running lights are mounted high up like the Xpander. But unlike the Mitsubishi, the main beam is slim, much like its other competitors. It will be interesting to see how its headlights perform.

As for the side, it is tall and upright, just like what you would expect from this type of vehicle. Tall windows are par for the course, along with large doors for easy access. As for the rear, it also follows the brand's new design philosophy with dynamic-looking tail lights and a distinct tailgate.

Inside, the 2022 Carens boasts a wraparound dashboard, something not seen in this segment. The dash design also incoporates the touchscreen audio system and the digital instrument panel. Kia also arranged the buttons and switches on the center stack in a rather interesting manner. We're curious what the base model's interior will look like.

There are two seating configurations available for the all-new Carens. The first is a seven-seat layout, while the other is a six-seat arrangement. The seven-seat model has a bench in the middle while the six-seater has a pair of individual chairs in the second row.

For the Indian market at least, the Carens will have three engine options. The base engine is a 1.5-liter with 115 PS and 144 Nm of torque. If you want more punch, there is also a 1.4-liter tubo that makes 140 PS and 242 Nm of torque. And for the economy-minded folks, Kia also has a turbodiesel option for the Carens. It's a 1.5-liter that produces 115 PS and, more importantly, 250 Nm of torque. Transmission options include a six-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch, and six-speed automatic.

There is no word yet if Kia will offer this model in the Philippines. That said, this is an open opportunity for the manufacturer since they do not have an MPV-Crossover in their line-up. In the meantime, why not check out our stocks of MPVs at our website? Regardless of what brand you buy, you can't go wrong with these vehicles when it comes to practicality. You can also check out second-hand Kia models there as well.