The Top Gear car review: Kia Carens

Name: Kia Carens
Item: Carens Diesel Estate (2013)
Rating: 7
Author: Top Gear

n/a

Full screen

1/5

7/10

Overall verdict

It’s handsome, well-built and pleasant, with Kia’s monster warranty an added draw.

For:

Cheap, good looking, lots of space, and, err, cheap

Against:

S-Max is the better drive, interior is drab, meek petrol version

Overview

What is it?

It’s an important milestone for Kia, that’s what. Yes, it’s a seven-seat MPV, but it’s also the last of the company’s range to benefit from Peter Schreyer’s now famous ‘Tiger-nose’ design philosophy. And as a result, doesn’t it look like a handsome thing? Sure, it’s no Ferrari 488, but it’s certainly better looking than before, making it less likely to be used as a projectile for bored millionaires.

Naturally, it’s grown in stature, but in a pleasing way: it’s lower, longer and narrower than before with lots of room to spare on the inside. Space in an MPV is considered a good trait, we think.

next: Driving

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