Kia Carens

The Kia Carens is a worthy but dull small MPV. Better than before in the latest generation, but still a purchase authorised by the 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 1.6-litre motors, one diesel, one petrol. The petrol gives 130bhp, 0-60mph in 11.6seconds and 110mph, but by far the better is the 126bhp diesel, with much more torque and only half a tenth slower to 60mph.

  

• 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 430litres with the seats up, a more cavernous 2106litres with them folded, thanks to the boxy dimensions.

  

• Running costs

  Decent mpg figures (39.2mpg for the petrol and 49.6mpg for the diesel) and low insurance make for skinflint running costs. But residuals are Stuka-class dive-bombers.