Test drive Kia Carens 1.7 CRDi: East-West

The fourth generation Kia Carens aims to take on the most beloved vans on the Old Continent.

The new model demonstrates a completely new concept compared to its direct predecessor - the body of the model has become 11 centimeters lower and two centimeters shorter, and the wheelbase has been increased by five centimeters. Result? The Carens now looks more like a dynamic station wagon than a boring van, and the interior volume remains impressive.

Functional interior space

There's more room in the rear seats than in the outgoing model, which isn't surprising given the extended wheelbase. However, the surprise comes in another way - the trunk has also grown. One of the reasons for this is the decision of the Koreans to abandon the current design of the rear axle with multi-link suspension and switch to a more compact version with a torsion bar.

Thus, the trunk of Kia Karens has become wider by 6,7, and the inner part of the wings is much less interfering with loading. Two additional seats in the rear of the passenger compartment are fully submerged in the floor and provide a nominal load volume of 492 liters. If necessary, the "furniture" can be moved in different ways, and it can be folded even in a place next to the driver.

Typically for Kia, each function in the cockpit has its own button. Which, on the one hand, is good, and on the other, not so good. The good news is that you are unlikely to find yourself in a situation where you are not sure which button goes where. But the feature of the top-of-the-line EX, the Kia Carens is literally crammed into the hood with a plethora of features including a heated steering wheel, cooled seat and automatic parking assistant, bringing the number of buttons to a confusing number. However, you get used to it over time - no need to get used to the magnificent front seats, which provide very good comfort during long trips.

Temperamental and cultured 1,7-liter turbodiesel

It's nice to note that on the road, the Kia Carens still looks more like a station wagon than a van. The 1,7-liter turbo diesel seems significantly more energetic than its specs on paper suggest, its traction is excellent, the revs are light, and the transmission ratios are very well matched (shifting is also a pleasure, not typical of this type of family van). Fuel consumption remains moderate too.

The driver has the option to choose between three steering settings, but in truth, none of them can make the steering very precise. The chassis is also not aimed at a sporty character - the soft adjustment of the shock absorbers brings with it noticeable lateral body movements during fast driving. Which in itself is not a big drawback for this car - Carens is quite safe on the road, but simply lacks special sporting ambitions. And, I think you will agree with me, a van, as unusual as it is, suggests a calm and safe demeanor, not a furious ride with doors in front.

CONCLUSION

Kia Carens has made significant progress over its predecessor. With its generous space, functional interior space, extravagant equipment, reasonable prices and a seven-year warranty, the model is an interesting alternative to established names in its segment.

Text: Bozhan Boshnakov

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert