The Kia Carens three-row vehicle is all set to go on sales in India soon, and ahead of its launch, the company has now released a host of details regarding its variants, specifications and engine options. Now, we already know that MPV is based on the Kia Seltos, which essentially means that the Carens is the counterpart of the Hyundai Alcazar, the three-row version of the Creta. So, to understand how similar these two three-row vehicles are, we have put down all the facts and figures on paper. Here's what we found.
Also Read: Kia Carens Three-Row MPV Bookings To Begin From January 14
The Kia Carens is the first vehicle in India to be based on the company new design language
Now looks are subjective, however, we feel both the Alcazar and the Carens are good looking vehicles. While Hyundai is calling the former an SUV, Kia wants to position the Carens as a recreational vehicle or an MPV. Both look premium and have good road presences, however, if we had to choose, we feel the Carens has a slight edge over the Alcazar.
| Dimensions | Kia Carens | Hyundai Alcazar |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4540 mm | 4500 mm |
| Width | 1800 mm | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1708 mm | 1675 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2780 mm | 2760 mm |
| Wheels | 15-inch/16-inch | 17-inch/18-inch |
The Kia Carens has surpassed the Alcazar as the vehicle to offer the best-in-class wheelbase of 2780 mm
One of the things that made the Hyundai Alcazar stand out was the fact that despite being smaller than its rivals, the SUV came with the longest wheelbase in the segment at 2760 mm. However, Kia has managed to break that streak with the Carens, which comes with a 2780 mm wheelbase. The Carens is also longer than the Alcazar by 40 mm, wider by 10 mm, and taller by 33 mm.
Also Read: Kia Carens Variants Details, Specifications And Engine Options Revealed Ahead Of India Launch
Both Hyundai and Kia are known for offering feature-loaded vehicles, and the situation continues to be the same here as well. Both the Alcazar and the Carens gets premium features like LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, exterior chrome accents, side, wheel arch & underbody cladding LED taillamps and roof rails. However, the Alcazar comes with the option of 17- or 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, the new Kia Carens gets 15- and 16-inch steel wheels with the lower trims and 16-inch crystal cut alloys with the Prestige Plus trim and above.
Compared to the all-dark cabin of the Alcazar, the Kia Carens comes with lighter tone interior
Both vehicles come with a well-laid-out cabin with premium features. While the cabin of the Alcazar gets a dark treatment, the Carens comes with lighter tones. We get a flat-bottom steering wheel with both cars, along with a fully-digital instrument cluster, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While Hyundai offers its Bluelink connected car technology, the Carens comes with the latest-gen Kia Connect system.
In the Alcazar, the side and curtain airbags are not offered with the entry-level prestige variant, while the Carens gets 6 airbags as standard
The Alcazar gets a panoramic sunroof over the Carens' regular one, and it also gets a height-adjustable front passenger seat and a wireless charger for the second-row captain seats, which are missing on the Carens. However, the Kia Carens gets better safety features like - 6 airbags, electronic stability control, VSM, hill assist control, DBC, ABS, brake assist system, disc brakes on all four wheels, Highline TPMS, and rear parking sensors. All of which will be offered as standard across all variants.
In the Alcazar, the side and curtain airbags are not offered with the entry-level prestige variant. While both get front parking sensors in the higher variants, the Alcazar also gets a 360-degree camera, which is missing on the Carens.
The new Kia Carens comes with 3 engine options - a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a 1.4-litre T-GDi turbo-petrol, and a 1.5 CRDi VGT diesel engine
The new Kia Carens comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a 1.4-litre T-GDi turbo-petrol, and a 1.5 CRDi VGT diesel engine. All three get a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the turbo-petrol and the oil burner will come with an optional 7-speed DCT automatic and 6-speed torque converter unit, respectively. The engine options are the same as the Seltos and offer the same output as well. the 1.5-litre petrol engine makes 113 bhp and 144 Nm of torque, while the turbo petrol unit offers 138 bhp and 242 Nm torque. The diesel engine, at the same time, makes 113 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque.
Also Read: Kia India Will Export 20 Per Cent Of Carens' Production Volume
| Kia Carens | 1.5-litre Petrol | 1.4-litre Turbo-Petrol | 1.5-litre Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1497 cc | 1353 cc | 1493 cc |
| Max Power | 113 bhp @ 6300 rpm | 138 bhp @ 6000 rpm | 113 bhp @ 4000 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 144 Nm @ 4500 rpm | 242 Nm @ 1500-3200 rpm | 250 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed MT | 6-speed MT/ 7-speed DCT | 6-speed MT/AT |
The Hyundai Alcazar gets only one petrol engine and a diesel engine and only the latter is borrowed from the Creta
The Alcazar, on the other hand, only shared the 1.5-litre diesel engine with the Creta, offering the same 113 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. However, there is no turbo petrol option. Instead, you get a bigger 2.0-litre naturally aspirated motor as the sole petrol engine, which makes 157 bhp and 191 Nm of peak torque. Both come with a 6-speed manual and an optional automatic torque converter unit.
| Hyundai Alcazar | 2.0-litre Petrol | 1.5-litre Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1999 cc | 1493 cc |
| Max Power | 157 bhp @ 6500 rpm | 113 bhp @ 4000 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 191 Nm @ 4500 rpm | 250 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed MT/AT | 6-speed MT/AT |
Also Read: Kia Carens MPV India Launch In Q1 2022
The Hyundai Alcazar is offered in six variants - Prestige, Prestige (O), Platinum, Platinum (O), Signature, and Signature (O), and it's priced between Rs. 16.34 lakh and Rs. 20.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). While Kia is yet to announce the prices for the Carens, we expect it to undercut the Alcazar, already by a slight margin, possibly stating at Rs. 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). In terms of features, the Alcazar certainly has an edge over the Carens, but the latter comes with better safety features and powertrain choices. So, on paper, purely based on specs and features, the Carens would be our pick. However, Kia has to price it right, and also, we need to compare both vehicles in real-world conditions to give you a more precise answer. So, keep watching this space for our comparison review.
