New Kia Carens brought into SA for 'study' but won't be sold here

Kia South Africa has confirmed it imported a couple of 4th-gen Carens units for “study” but adds this latest crossover-styled 3-row MPV will “not be introduced” to the local market…

While sifting through South Africa’s detailed new-vehicle sales figures for August 2023, we noticed Kia South Africa had registered 2 units of the 4th-generation Carens, a crossover-styled 3-row MPV not currently marketed locally. So, we asked the South Korean firm’s local division whether plans were afoot to introduce this sub-Carnival vehicle to SA.

Though the Indian-built Carens – which is offered in the South Asian country in both 6- and 7-seater guise – was indeed under consideration for a local re-introduction (remember, this nameplate exited SA’s new-vehicle market back in 2009), Kia SA has confirmed it will not be sold here.

“These 2 units were brought into the country a while ago for homologation, study and consideration. This model will not be introduced to the South African market,” Kia SA told Cars.co.za.

So, what are we missing out on? Well, the 4th-generation Carens was revealed at the end of 2021, built on a stretched version of the Seltos platform. Measuring 4 540 mm from snout to rump (so, slightly longer than the current Sportage), the 3-row family vehicle boasts a generous 2 780 mm wheelbase. Unlike its decidedly MPV-shaped predecessors, the KY-series Carens features a distinctly crossover-inspired exterior design.

In India, the Carens is available with a choice of 1.5-litre engines, each driving the front axle: a naturally aspirated petrol unit (with a 6-speed manual gearbox), a turbopetrol motor (with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission) and a turbodiesel mill (using either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic cog-swapper).

Standard safety equipment offered across the Indian-market range includes 6 airbags, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, hill-assist control, downhill brake control, brake assist, tyre-pressure monitoring, front parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers.

Incidentally, Kia SA also registered 2 units of the Niro last month, in addition to the 2 examples imported in May 2023 alongside a single unit of the EV6.