Kia Carens

The Kia Carens is a worthy but dull small MPV. Better than before in the latest generation, but still a purchase authorised bythe wallet rather than by the heart.

• Comfort

  The Carens is pretty comfortable, softish suspension helps keep the cabin composed and it feels airy enough, just don't expect too much for your cash and you'll be happy.

  

• Performance

  Moderate your expectation by looking at the badge. The Carens mixes it with the mid-table pack in the segment, but has no tricks up its sleeve. There are two 2.0-litre motors, one diesel, one petrol. The petrol gives 142bhp, 0-62mph in 11.0seconds and 118mph, but by far the better is the 138bhp diesel, with more torque and similar performance.

  

• Cool

  Are skirting boards cool? Exactly.

  

• Quality

  Here's a bit of faint praise with which to damn the Kia: the quality is better than it used to be. True, but the Carens appears not to have noticed the recent trend for on-the-pace interiors from the East. Hence the swathe of grey plastic. Dull.

  

• Handling

  Average to average handling. If you could give handling a colour, the Carens would be magnolia. Inoffensive but bland and forgettable.

  

• Practicality

  As far as family transport goes the Carens is decent enough, but there are more versatile and better designed sprog-transporters on the market that also drive with more verve. The boot is relatively small at 414litres with the seats up, a more cavernous 2106litres with them folded, thanks to the boxy dimensions.

  

• Running costs

  Decent mpg figures (35mpg for the petrol and 45.6mpg for the diesel) and low insurance (group 10 all round) make for skinflint running costs. But residuals are Stuka-class dive-bombers.