Kia Carens Clavis EV Review: The Perfect Family EV?

Alright, folks, gather 'round! Today, we're not just reviewing another EV. We're asking the big question: Is THIS the family EV India has been waiting for? The Kia Carens Clavis EV is here, and it's making some serious noise. We're going to tear it down, piece by piece – from its striking design, the tech-laden interior, how it actually drives on our roads, to who its rivals are, and finally, deliver a verdict so clear, you won't need to scroll through a hundred reviews. So, buckle up, this is going to be a fun one!

Kia Carens Clavis EV Review: Design

First up, let's talk design. Now, Kia has done a smart job here. They’ve taken the familiar, successful Carens silhouette and given it a proper electric makeover. See that grille? Or should I say, lack of a grille? It’s replaced by this sleek, closed-off panel, which, let's be honest, screams 'EV.' 

Those 'Star Map' LED DRLs and headlamps – they're sharp, modern, and give it a distinctive face. Looks premium, no doubt, but maybe a bit safe? Could it use a little more flair to truly stand out in the rapidly crowding EV segment? I'm leaning towards 'yes,' but it’s still unmistakably Kia, and that’s a good thing for brand recognition.

Coming to the side, it retains that MPV-ish stance, which is expected for a family vehicle. Those aero-optimised alloys, available in 16-inch and 17-inch sizes, look decent and are designed for efficiency, which is key in an EV. The roof rails are a nice touch, adding to the utility appeal. 

It's got a good presence, substantial without being overly bulky. No weird EV-specific quirks that scream 'I'm electric and I'm different!' It blends in nicely, which some families might actually prefer. It's like your favourite classic shirt, just with a modern, eco-friendly fabric.

And around the back, it’s clean and contemporary. Those connected LED taillamps are all the rage these days, and Kia's implemented them well. The rear bumper is chunky, giving it a robust look. It won't turn every head on the street, but it certainly won't offend anyone either. It's a well-executed design, but I can't help but feel it played it just a tad bit safe. 

Kia Carens Clavis EV Review: Interior

Alright then, let’s check out the inside. You get a massive 26.62-inch panoramic display, combining the infotainment and instrument cluster – it's slick, futuristic, and super intuitive. It’s responsive, easy to navigate, and has crisp graphics. No complaints there. And hey, actual physical buttons for climate control! Thank you, Kia, for understanding that some things are just better with a proper button.

Similar in space when it comes to the Carens Clavis, but the features become a talking point. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof adds to the airy feel, and a Bose 8-speaker audio system ensures your playlist sounds epic. They've even thrown in a Smart Pure Air Purifier with AQI display, which, let's be honest, is a necessity in most Indian cities now. Plus, V2L – Vehicle-to-Load – both internal and external. So you can power your laptop, a small fridge, or even a mini-speaker for your impromptu roadside party. Pretty neat, right?

Kia Carens Clavis EV Review: Safety

Then there's the ADAS suite, Level 2, with over 20 autonomous safety features. Think Smart Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Front Collision Avoidance Assist that even recognises pedestrians and cyclists – this car’s got your back. A 360-degree camera with Blind View Monitor in the cluster is super handy for tight parking spots.

Any misses? Well, Kia, we still don't get ventilated seats across all variants. Come on, Kia! In an Indian summer, that's almost as essential as AC. A small jab, but a valid one, I think. Still, a very comprehensive feature list that ticks almost all the boxes.

Kia Carens Clavis EV Review: Performance

The Carens Clavis EV offers two battery options: a 42 kWh variant with an ARAI-certified range of 404 km, and a larger 51.4 kWh battery promising up to 490 km. We're in the 51.4 kWh variant today, which churns out 126 kW (around 170 bhp) and 255 Nm of torque. The smaller battery gets a 99 kW (133 bhp) motor, but the torque remains the same. And guess what? It feels zippy in town! With instant torque, you can dart through traffic with surprising ease. Don't expect to win drag races on the expressway, but 0-100 km/h in about 8.4 seconds for the larger battery variant is more than sufficient for everyday driving and even highway overtakes. It’s quick off the line, and that’s what matters most in city conditions.

On the highway, it cruises comfortably. Overtakes require a bit more planning than a high-performance EV, but it gets the job done without breaking a sweat. 

Kia Carens Clavis EV Review: Battery and Range

Real-world range? We started off with a range of 374 km and covered 138 kms in our drive. The range was down to 184 km when we finally gave the car back. so that’s a drop of 190 km. And the car was at 50 per cent charge when I got back. So, expect somewhere around 350-400 km for the larger battery, depending on your driving style, AC usage, and traffic. That's pretty good for a family-sized EV.

It also supports 100kW DC fast charging, which can take it from 10 to 80 per cent in just 39 minutes. Grab a quick chai and your car's ready to roll!

Regen modes are adjustable via paddle shifters, from aggressive braking to almost free-wheeling. I found setting it to a medium regen level works best, giving you a good mix of energy recuperation and a natural driving feel. Steering feel is light in the city, making it easy to manoeuvre, and weighs up nicely on the highway, offering decent feedback. 

Kia Carens Clavis EV Review: Ride and Handling

Now, ride and handling – the make or break for any Indian car, especially an MPV. How does the Carens Clavis EV handle our infamous potholes? Mostly like a champ! The suspension is tuned for comfort, soaking up most undulations and bumps quite well. It's not overly soft, so there isn't excessive body roll in corners, but it prioritises passenger comfort, which is the right approach for this segment.

Cornering, while not its forte, is predictable. It's a tall vehicle, so some body roll is inevitable, but it feels stable and planted. You won’t be carving canyons, but it handles everyday turns with composure. Cabin noise? Well, being an EV, the motor is silent, so you mostly hear road and tyre noise, which is well-controlled for the segment. Wind noise is minimal even at highway speeds. Kia has done a good job of insulating the cabin, making it a rather peaceful place to be, even on those long family road trips. So, bumpy roads? No sweat. Mostly.

Kia Carens Clavis EV Review: Price and Rivals

Alright, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – price. The Kia Carens Clavis EV starts from ₹17.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India) for the HTK Plus variant with the 42 kWh battery, going up to ₹24.49 lakh (ex-showroom, India) for the top-spec ER HTX+ variant with the 51.4kWh battery. These prices make it quite competitive.

Who are its rivals? Well, it slots into a unique space. You have the established players like the Tata Nexon EV, which is more of a compact SUV, priced from around ₹12.49 - 17.19 lakh. Then there's the MG ZS EV, a direct SUV competitor, ranging from ₹17.99 - 20.50 lakh. And the newly launched Hyundai Creta Electric, which starts at a similar ₹17.99 lakh and goes up to ₹24.38 lakh, but is a 5-seater SUV. 

Kia Carens Clavis EV Review: Verdict

So, value for money? It depends where you park your expectations. If you need a spacious, electric 7-seater that doesn't compromise on features or safety, the Carens Clavis EV offers a compelling package. It’s certainly not the cheapest EV out there, but considering its size, space, and tech, it presents a strong case. It’s like buying a bigger apartment for nearly the same price as a smaller, fancier one in a posh locality. You get more space for your buck, but maybe not the absolute cutting edge in every single metric.

Photography by Prashant Chaudhary