NOT many people remember the first Carens. The name combines the words “car” and “renaissance”, but it failed to make a lasting impression. This time, however, things might be different. With only two models on the floor, a manual and an automatic, it should be a straightforward job to decide if it’s a case of second time lucky. Not that luck plays much part when compared with hard work and inspired design, and the Kia group is no stranger to that. So, to start with, the looks are vastly improved, with a striking front view incorporating trendy, large headlamps, a neatly styled rear end with a stylish kick-up lip, and semi-aggressive black elements on front and rear bumpers, and around the foglamps. The large A-pillar hampers visibility, but a small quarter-light does help.
Being longer than the old model by 55 mm doesn’t sound like much, but the wheelbase has been stretched by a more substantial 130 mm, which is easily noticeable in the superior interior legroom. In a bid for an upmarket European feel, the interior is trimmed in conventional, easy- to-clean black leather with a similarly bound steering wheel and gear knob. Beige upholstery is also available, but only if you choose the light almond beige exterior paintwork. The seats are high-mounted, which provides added support for your thighs. Naturally for an MPV, headroom is plentiful. This is a sevenseater, the rearmost two folding neatly away when not required. The middle row of seats has fore/aft adjustment to offer those behind more legroom. Adding to the luxury feel (if there are only two middle row passengers) is a pair of side armrests that can be flipped down in addition to the centre one.
To gain access to the rearmost seats, one enters from the right hand side (unfortunately the road side in South Africa) and lifts a lever on top of the middle seat. This folds the backrest down and slides the seat forwards. After entry, and having moved the middle seat back, there is sufficient leg space for an adult and just enough headroom. Aiding access are large conventionally opening rear doors that close with a good, solid thunk. Drinkholders and storage bins can be found all over the cabin, and two air vents at the rear of the centre console should keep matters cool for middle seat occupants, although the sixth and seventh passengers might miss out on adequate ventilation.
Unfortunately, there is no rear parcel shelf, so perishables (such as your meat, fish and cheese shopping) can only be hidden from sight and sun by leaving the backrests of the last two seats in the upright position. This allows for 72 dm3 of cargo space, expanding to 328 dm3 with the rear seats folded flat, and up to 456 dm3 with the middle row slid forwards. With only the front two seats in use, utility space is 1 280 dm3. A space-saver spare is mounted under the bodywork, with the tools and a small storage compartment under the small floor section at the rear. Easily adjustable roof racks are standard, allowing transportation of larger items.
For the driver, there is an electrically adjustable seat, although the steering wheel is still only rake adjustable. Oh, and the front seats have tilt-adjusting headrests. Not only is the gearlever well positioned in the centre hangdown section of the facia, but it is also a delight to use, with crisp, clean cog-swops the order of the day, the only non-positive issue being that the lever obscures some of the airconditioning buttons. Another tricky button to reach is the one that toggles through the trip and fuel consumption details. The display is well positioned between the dials, but the button is mounted on the facia, hidden behind the steering wheel where it is a bit difficult to access. All other controls are easy to use, with large, clearly labelled buttons. Air-conditioning is of the single zone type with an auto function, and uses quality, rotary knobs for the temperature and fan speed operations.
In front of the passenger is a useful shelf, below which sits a glovebox of decent size, incorporating a built-in shelf for the owner’s manual. Yellow backlighting of all instruments and displays gives a classy appearance with no mismatches, and the design of the dials is also neat and straightforward. Park sensors are particularly useful on MPVs for reversing assistance, and have sensibly been included as standard on the Carens. Side mirrors are foldable, to help out with tight – squeeze manoeuvres, but doors don’t lock on take-off, a bit of an oversight in these times of electronic help. This has to be done manually via a toggle switch on the driver’s door.
Acceleration is adequate rather than exciting, but for the intended ferrying of family and friends, the Carens offers a reasonable compromise between power and economy. Use must be made of lower gear ratios in order to move quickly and, if snap changes are made, the engine sometimes takes a gulp of air before picking up again. But general driving is an easy-going experi- ence, even at Reef altitudes (if you use some revs) to keep up with the traffic. Stability at speed impressed us, especially considering that the ride quality is tuned for soaking up poor surfaces rather than for sporty handling, and speed bumps are particularly easily dispatched with. Complementing the ride is steering that is not super-light – instead, the medium weighting feels right, and provides some feedback from the road.