KIA Carens

The new Kia Carens is already on sale from 21.800 € (all prices) with a 142 hp gasoline engine or a 140 hp diesel. It's a brand new minivan has mechanical elements in common with the Kia Magentis. You can have up to seven seats.

The Carens Diesel cheaper cost 21.800 € (equipment). There's no minivan-like size and power, which has a lower selling price. An Opel Zafira, a Renault Grand Scenic and a Citroen C4 Picasso are more expensive (comparative), but have elements of hardware that this version of the Carens can not have (such as stability control).

The more fitted version of the Carens Diesel (23,850 €) can have seven seats and the relationship between price and equipment is better than other similar models (comparative).

The body of the Carens has four hinged side doors and a gate. Measuring 4.54 m long, 1.85 m wide and 1.65 m high, the wheelbase of 2.70 m. Exterior dimensions are similar to those of other seven-seater minivan, as the Mazda5, Opel Zafira or the Renault Grand Scénic. The new Carens is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. It also has a drag coefficient less advancement.

The new Carens is available with seven seats, one more place than the previous Carens. It is a spacious minivan in its first two rows of seats.

The front seats are soft hard, little lateral support and are comfortable (at least on short journeys). They can be filled by individuals without high difficulty in the measurement of width is not known as very large.

In the second row of seats is much width and height, and has good legroom for the occupants of this row. Three occupants who are not bulky enough to travel with comfort. The third row of seats is only advisable for passengers who are not high and for short journeys.

The third row of seats from the seven-seat versions can be folded symmetrically, being hidden under the trunk floor (image). When not using these seats, the trunk has a capacity of 414 liters. When they are used, the trunk is virtually useless (image) are just 74 liters, including a compartment under the floor.

The five-seater Carens has a load capacity of 430 liters of volume, including two useful compartimetos (image) below the floor. It also has an extensible curtain (image) to hide the load.

The interior finish is correct, although some unions of the different pieces that have a better fit, especially in the lower center console and armrests. All plastics have a touch of hard coating.

There are many gaps to make or save things: front center armrest with dual chamber (pictured), sunglass holder on the roof (pictured), a hook for hanging bags (pictured), two cupholders and compartments with several fund-slip between the front seats (image ), a drawer under the passenger seat (pictured) and lidded compartments in the sides of the third-row seats (pictured), among other storage spaces.

The parking brake is up and no space for a footrest, so we must support the left foot on the floor.

According to reports, there are two trim levels available: "EXI" (for the diesel version) and "EXII '(for petrol and diesel versions).

All Carens are standard six airbags, antilock brakes (ABS), active head restraints, climate control, driver seat height adjustment and lumbar adjustment, four electric windows, trip computer, height adjustable steering wheel, fog lights, exterior mirrors and electric defroster, radio with CD player, alloy wheels and 16 inch reparapinchazos team. Optionally you can have metallic paint.

Versions' EXII "also have stability control (ESP), driver's seat with power adjustment, auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control, automatic wipers, automatic headlights, electrically folding exterior mirrors, rear parking sensor, charger 6-CD and alloy wheels of 17 inches. Optionally, it can take seven seats (standard on the petrol version).

There are many elements of hardware that may not have as deep adjustable steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats, xenon headlamps or browser.

Mechanically, the new Magentis is similar to items such as engines, transmission and suspension. You can buy a petrol engine or a 142 hp diesel 140 hp (data sheet).

This diesel engine is the leading several models of Hyundai and KIA. It is a four-cylinder 2.0 liter engine capacity, powered by turbocharged common duct and variable input.

Both engines are standard manual gearbox, five-speed in the case of gasoline and six diesel. For now, marketing is not provided with automatic versioning.

The Carens Diesel reaches 187 km / h, accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 11 seconds and has an average consumption of 6.1 l per 100 km. Maximum speed and acceleration are worse than those with other similar models (comparative), while consumption is normal.

This engine moves with agility to Carens, at least when not loaded. It has good response, push very gently and is enjoyable to use.

Engine noise is low, even when driving with the engine at high speed or when accelerating hard, engine noise is heard very clearly on the inside. A high speed, the aerodynamic noise is perceived more than the engine.

The suspension is independent in both axes. It has a soft setting: correctly absorbs road irregularities, but it contains the broad movements of the body.

The hydraulic steering has no feel good, too assisted (especially at high speed) and conveys little information about the driver steps on the car. The gearshift has a proper operation.

The team that designed the Carens is the same that made the new Carnival. Although Carnival is a larger model with sliding rear doors instead of swing, there are some commonalities.

KIA plans to sell 4,500 units in Spain of the new Carens in 2007, up 85 percent with diesel engine.