Despite being launched a few months back, the waiting period for the Kia Carens MPV has crossed the five-month mark for select variants.
Kia has increased the prices of the MPV range, eliminating the initial pricing.
While some trims see a cost increase of only ₹20,000 (1.4P Premium and Prestige+ AT), some others see an increase of ₹70,000 (1.5P Prestige and 1.5D Luxury+ 7S AT).
Post revision, the prices of the Carriage currently range between ₹ 9.59 and ₹ 17.69 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
Powering the Carens is a choice between two petrol and one diesel engine options. The petrol includes a 115hp 1.5-litre naturally aspirated unit and the more powerful 140hp 1.4-litre turbocharged unit, while the diesel engine is a 115hp 1.5-litre mill.
Kia offers the Carence in five trim levels – Premium, Prestige, Prestige Plus, Luxury and Luxury Plus. All the variants get basics like AC vents for three rows and one-touch electric-assisted tumble function for the second row seats. The top-spec trim gets features like Connected Car Tech, Keyless Go, cruise control, auto climate control, ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with rear-view camera.
kia sonnet
Kia will update its Sonnet compact SUV for 2022 by introducing new features and more equipment in the lower variants. The Sonnet is already one of the most well-equipped compact SUVs in the market, and the updates will only cement its position.
In terms of safety, the Sonnet will now get side airbags and tire pressure monitoring system as standard. It will also get curtain airbags on the HTX+ variant, which were earlier available only on the top-end GTX+ variant. The addition could be Kia’s attempt to move a step closer to the recent draft notification mandating six airbags from October 1, 2022.
The HTX variant will come with a digital instrument cluster. For the HTK+ variant equipped with IMT, Kia will offer Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill Assist Control (HAC).
The 2022 Sonnet is said to get a new ‘Sonette’ badging, and two new exterior paint shades – Sparkling Silver and Imperial Blue.
It is unlikely that Kia will change the powertrain of the car. The Sonet comes with three engines – an 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine; 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine; and a 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel. It comes with five gearbox options, including 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed IMT, 6-speed automatic and 7-speed dual-clutch unit, depending on the engine you choose . Kia may pair the IMT with a diesel engine like the Seltos, which is currently the only car in India with a diesel IMT option.
The Kia Sonnet takes on other compact SUVs such as the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Hyundai Venue, Toyota Urban Cruiser and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. The current Sonnet price starts at Rs 6.79 lakh but is likely to go up with the update.