Kia Carens (2013 – 2018) Review

Kia Carens (2013 – 2018) At A Glance

4/5

+Good looking seven-seat people carrier. Comes with seven year warranty. Practical cabin. Easy to drive.

-Not as good to drive as a Ford C-MAX.

Insurance Groups are between 12–17
On average it achieves 72% of the official MPG figure

Seven-seat MPVs are likely to be bought with the head, rather than the heart – and they don’t come much more sensible than the Kia Carens. The easy-to-drive, comfortable people carrier does everything you could ask of it with consummate ease, making it the ideal choice for a growing family.

It’s larger than its predecessor because it now fills two roles, replacing both the previous generation Carens and the larger Sedona, which is no longer available. It bridges the gap between the two very well. It's comfortable and easy to drive, plus has a sizeable load area, useable extra seats and a good level of standard equipment. Furthermore it should be cheap to run, thanks to frugal engines and an excellent seven-year warranty package.

Kia offers the Carens with a 1.6-litre 135PS petrol engine or a 1.7-litre CRDi diesel with either 115PS or 135PS. Particularly impressive are the diesel engines, which offer a usefully broad spread of torque for easy every driving, coupled with excellent refinement and good economy. Those who need an automatic transmission are restricted to the 135PS diesel engine.

Despite being a tall MPV the Carens rolls very little through corners, yet it is still comfortable over broken surfaces and speed bumps. The cabin is plush, classy and easy to get to grips with while quality is up there with the best – the Carens feels like it’s built to last.  

There are other people carriers that offer more space, like the Ford Galaxy or SEAT Alhambra, while the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso is more stylish and the Ford C-MAX perhaps is better to drive. However the Carens is a well rounded, easy-to-recommend MPV that offers good value for money. 

Kia Carens 2013 Road Test

Real MPG average for a Kia Carens (2013 – 2018)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

72%

Real MPG

26–57 mpg

MPGs submitted

106

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

My car is due for its first MoT - do I need to take it to a dealership or can I take it to my local garage without invalidating the warranty?

"My Kia Carens is due for its first MoT. Do I need to take it to a Kia dealership or can I take it to my local garage without invalidating the warranty?"
Under an EU Directive, as long as the local garage does the work precisely to Kia standards, using precisely the correct fluids and parts, and invoices the work with a precise description of what was done and which parts were used, you will not invalidate the warranty. However, you will miss any Kia updates that would have been carried out as part of the service and, if I had a seven-year warranty that there was any chance of losing, I'd pay the extra to have the car serviced by a Kia dealer.
Answered by Honest John

What family car is suitable for a dog and a new baby?

"My daughter and son-in-law require a nearly new vehicle to accommodate a medium-size dog and a baby. They are badge conscious and have about £20,000 - £30,000 to spend. What would you recommend?"
If it's an old dog, they need something with a low rear sill such as a Volkswagen Golf SV or Kia Carens. If it's a young dog that can jump a bit higher, then an SUV such as a Peugeot 3008, SEAT Ateca, Suzuki Vitara S, Kia Sportage GT 1.6T-GDI. They can now get a Volkswagen Tiguan with a petrol engine from £25,000. Then, of course, there's the part hatch, part SUV Audi A2. Always remember, however, that young dogs become old fairly rapidly
Answered by Honest John

KIA Carens making a squeaking noise - what is it?

"My 2014 KIA Carens has covered 16,000 miles and started emitting a squeaking noise from the underside rear whenever the engine is worked hard. This happens perhaps every 800-1000 miles. It continues for around 10 miles, then ceases. If I pull over to investigate, with the engine idling, it ceases, and bouncing the rear suspension does not recreate it. Any idea what it might be? "
Reads as if not enough oil is getting to the turbo bearings so you need to replace the turbo bearing oil feed and oil return pipes which are probably partially blocked with carbon.
Answered by Honest John

Which MPV is most reliable?

"Our Toyota Verso D4D is now eight years old with 63,000 on the clock from new. We've had no problems but are thinking about changing it. We don't need seven seats or diesel anymore diesel, but do want similar reliability, comfort and raised driving position. We've looked at a Ford C-MAX but are not sure about reliability - any help please?"
If you like Versos, then the best of the lot is the 1.8i Valvematic Multidrive S. Far nicer to drive than the diesel. Now five year warranty. You could also consider the KIA Carens, with its seven year warranty.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Kia Carens (2013 – 2018) cost?