Kia Carens has reached Uzbekistan: the crossover is cheaper than the related Seltos

The three-row van is available with a 1.5 naturally aspirated gasoline engine or a turbo engine of a similar volume. There are four configurations to choose from.

The current Kia Carens debuted at the end of 2021; it is based on the Kia Seltos SUV. The three-row model is a mixture of a van and a crossover, that is, it is a crossvan. The main production site is located in India, this country is the main market. However, Carens still did not become an Indian exclusive — it is also sold in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. And now the crossvan has reached Uzbekistan. By the way, in the neighboring country there is a private plant, ADM Jizzakh, which produces, among other things, Kia models: for example, they recently started making the Sonet junior crossover there, and in a full cycle. But the local division of the brand has not yet reported whether Carens has “registered” at this enterprise.

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In terms of design, the crossvan intended for Uzbekistan is practically no different from the versions available in other markets. Exterior features include separate running lights in the form of diode “games” located above the headlights, unpainted plastic “all around” and “fanged” rear lights. Expensive versions also have roof rails. 

The length of the local Kia Carens is 4545 mm (+5 mm compared to the Indian version), the wheelbase is 2780 mm. The passport ground clearance is 180 mm. According to the Kia Uzbekistan consumer website, the crossover is only available with a six-seat cabin, although seven-seat versions are also available in other countries.

Our neighbors Kia Carens are offered in four trim levels. The Comfort, Luxe and Premium versions have a naturally aspirated 1.5 MPI petrol (115 hp, 144 Nm) and a CVT. And the top-end Carens Premium+ is equipped with a 1.5 T-GDI turbo engine (160 hp, 253 Nm) and a seven-speed robotic gearbox with two clutches. In any case, the drive is exclusively front-wheel drive.

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The equipment list of the cheapest van includes: 16-inch wheels, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, air conditioning, ceiling-mounted air ducts for the second and third rows of seats, a multimedia system with an 8-inch screen, a rear view camera, front airbags, ESC and cruise control. Starting with the Luxe version, heated front seats, climate control, a keyless entry system and an engine start button appear. The Premium and Premium+ options also include an electric sunroof, a rain sensor, side and curtain airbags, ventilated front seats, ambient interior lighting, wireless charging for a smartphone and folding tables for the second row seats.

The recommended price of Kia Carens with 1.5 MPI and CVT ranges from 299.9 million to 374.9 million soums, which is equivalent to approximately 2.1 million – 2.6 million rubles at the current exchange rate. A crossvan with 1.5 T-GDI and 7DCT costs 399.9 million soums (2.8 million rubles). For comparison, for the restyled Kia Seltos crossover (2.0 MPI/147 hp, CVT, 2WD) in Uzbekistan they are now asking 379.9 million — 439.9 million soums (about 2.68 million — 3.1 million rubles).

Meanwhile, the restyled Kia Carens will soon appear in other countries — the camouflaged crossover has already been caught by spies.