Kia Carens 2015: all new 7-seater arrives

[teomingern]

Haha, i am the weird one who is considering Forester XT and Carens at the same time

 

Price is about the same if you compare the Forester XT & Carens SX right? So that's quite normal mah... with so many $, you will consider all competing options... not weird at all...

[Yysiong]

Any owners of the diesel version can advice on the maintenance cost by kia?

SE told me price is the same as petrol, only diff is EO. Maybe another $30 more per service

[smgdc]

Can someone confirm, for the SX version, can the glass roof be slided open?  Or its those that cannot open?

[Yysiong]

Can someone confirm, for the SX version, can the glass roof be slided open? Or its those that cannot open?

Yes it can

[teomingern]

Can someone confirm, for the SX version, can the glass roof be slided open?  Or its those that cannot open?

 

It's listed as a panoramic sunroof... so a portion of it can be opened. If it's listed as a moonroof, then it's fixed and cannot be opened.

[Rosicky]

The BMW 218 looks very similar to the Carens, Seems to be selling well, saw many on the road.

[Vwguy77]

The BMW 218 looks very similar to the Carens, Seems to be selling well, saw many on the road.

 

Ever since my brother bought a Carens SX (Diesel), I paused my thoughts on getting the 216d. Granted that the 216d has more features (contactless tailgate opening, driving assistant...) and way more luxurious than the Carens, i just cant get over the fact that I have to fork out an additional $30K for a FWD Diesel car that works exactly the same. 

Edited May 16, 2016 by Vwguy77

[Spring]

Ever since my brother bought a Carens SX (Diesel), I paused my thoughts on getting the 216d. Granted that the 216d has more features (contactless tailgate opening, driving assistant...) and way more luxurious than the Carens, i just cant get over the fact that I have to fork out an additional $30K for a FWD Diesel car that works exactly the same. 

 

The drive of the BMW 216d GT and the features plus the badge adds to the overall higher pricing of this car. There is no right nor wrong. Choose something you are comfortable with.

 

Doesn't mean cos it's a Kia and cheaper means it's inferior to a BMW and inversely doesn't mean you buy a BMW and only 3cyl, FWD means you are a badge whore.

 

Precisely, we have a wide range of cars to cater to different segments and requirements of various buyers. Some features are obviously good to have and not a must have but some people are willing to pay more for them whilst others don't. Anyway, happy driving whatever your choice of car is, cheers!!

The BMW 218 looks very similar to the Carens, Seems to be selling well, saw many on the road.

 

[CarenKia]

to add my 2 cents worth. Buying a car involved many considerations and personal choice. There is no right car or best car. Its the car that appeals to you based on your own own condsiderations.

 

Every car has its own good features and short comings.

 

For me, the Carens is the best value 7 seater that I could find. Lots of feature, but short on 3rd row seat space, air con not as cool, FC higher......these are all comparisons against my previous Stream.

 

At this price, no other car comes close. Its a matter of how many ticks you get for the checklist that is on your mind.

 

After decision is made, will have to live with those shortcomings and made your own adjustment. :P Happy driving everyone. :)

[Lyk76]

Comparing Wish with Carens, I personally would choose Carens, not because I already driving the diesel version now but for the following reasons.

1. I like the width of the vehicle, able to sit 3 comfortably

2. Vehicle though heavy but it gives a very stable feel and doesnt lack power.

3. It has many features like a conti car which spice up the drive and during family outing with kids.

4. The car is well equipped with the accessories, touch screen entertainment HU, solar film, bluetooth, gps navi, spare tire, tonneu cover. Basically nothing much to add in my opinion.

5. My diesel FC is about 8L/100km not sure why as it was like 6.8-7/100km intitially when still using the diesel when I collected the car. The jump was after I refuel at SPC and doesnt seems to go back to 7L/100km range. Hope things will turn out better after the 1000km servicing.

6. 3 row is basically for kids and not full sized adult. As I only need the 3rd row ocassionally so it is ok for me.

 

As for the Wish, I think it is typically a no frill car. There is not much 'wow' factor as compared to Carens except the 3 row has better spacing. The booth are also slightly bigger when 3rd row is up.

Think the Wish may surpass Carens in terms of resale, reliability and maybe cheaper maintenance due to the quantity. 

Finally went to the pump last night to try out Caltex diesel.

To my surprise, this morning my FC had improved that much from 8.1L/100km. Travelling route from AMK via Lornie via PIE to Jurong East (70% HW 30% City).

Just back from lunch and it's around 7L/100km. Will monitor and share is there are updates.

Any diesel bro, care to share which pump they use and the effect.

[CarenKia]

Like to understand how the bros here measure the FC.

See many posting the meter display in the dash board.

Is this number reliable ?

 

For me, I always reset the odometer to zero at the petrol station. Will stop pumping once the nozzle autostop. Then I will take the total distance travelled since last pump up against the current petrol pumped. 

 

For info, my 2.0 petrol version FC is from 8 - 10km/litre.

8 when its mostly start-stop driving. 10 when its mostly highway.

[Rosicky]

Thanks for all the advise. I am looking for a seven seater to replace my Ody. Just afraid 3rd row too tight. My budget is 100k and carens fita the bill if Coe head south!

[Lyk76]

Like to understand how the bros here measure the FC.

See many posting the meter display in the dash board.

Is this number reliable ?

 

For me, I always reset the odometer to zero at the petrol station. Will stop pumping once the nozzle autostop. Then I will take the total distance travelled since last pump up against the current petrol pumped.

 

For info, my 2.0 petrol version FC is from 8 - 10km/litre.

8 when its mostly start-stop driving. 10 when its mostly highway.

Reset the fc setting after every pump. Its a rough gauge to know how well the fc is.

[swong19]

I do this for all my cars. The auto stop trigger point is different for diff pump but overall if u compile enough data, it's fairly accurate. Generally i find the on board figure somehow is more optimistic...

Like to understand how the bros here measure the FC.

See many posting the meter display in the dash board.

Is this number reliable ?

 

For me, I always reset the odometer to zero at the petrol station. Will stop pumping once the nozzle autostop. Then I will take the total distance travelled since last pump up against the current petrol pumped. 

 

For info, my 2.0 petrol version FC is from 8 - 10km/litre.

8 when its mostly start-stop driving. 10 when its mostly highway.

 

[tylsteve]

Like to understand how the bros here measure the FC.

See many posting the meter display in the dash board.

Is this number reliable ?

 

For me, I always reset the odometer to zero at the petrol station. Will stop pumping once the nozzle autostop. Then I will take the total distance travelled since last pump up against the current petrol pumped. 

 

For info, my 2.0 petrol version FC is from 8 - 10km/litre.

8 when its mostly start-stop driving. 10 when its mostly highway.

 

This is the most accurate as it is based on actual measurement (actual mileage divided by actual amount of petrol pumped). The estimate on the dashboard is just an estimate. How accurate it is depends on the software design. It is probably accurate at that instant, but it will vary throughout the journey.

[JianLongTan]

Can anyone tell me if the diesel carens can last 500,000km in its 10 year cycle? its using crdi engine like taxi right? should be able to last as long as taxi with crdi engine right? heard taxi can overclock 1million and reset to 0 and work perfectly fine. just abit worried about their different transmission.. i drive ard 100-150km, max 250km a day.. so.. ya. currently altis second hand bought ard 44k km now already 320k km in 5 years. please advice. is kia reliable and lasting? or maybe should i stick back to toyota and get a wish instead. 

 

secondly is the diesel engine that i m interested. because currently every week go in jb to top up petrol.. very tiring. if diesel just top in sg. 

 

Please advise. thanks. 

 

[Vwguy77]

Can anyone tell me if the diesel carens can last 500,000km in its 10 year cycle? its using crdi engine like taxi right? should be able to last as long as taxi with crdi engine right? heard taxi can overclock 1million and reset to 0 and work perfectly fine. just abit worried about their different transmission.. i drive ard 100-150km, max 250km a day.. so.. ya. currently altis second hand bought ard 44k km now already 320k km in 5 years. please advice. is kia reliable and lasting? or maybe should i stick back to toyota and get a wish instead. 

 

secondly is the diesel engine that i m interested. because currently every week go in jb to top up petrol.. very tiring. if diesel just top in sg. 

 

Please advise. thanks. 

 

I think your question can be replied into two parts:

 

1) Is KIA Caren Diesel reliable and lasting? 

- I don't think anyone has that answer right now as the CAREN diesel is a new model and its reliability can only be measured over a longer period of time. If you were to take he KIA diesel taxi as a reference, you don't often see tow tucks pulling away them off the road so you can somewhat make an educated guess on it.

 

2) Should I get diesel?

- Judging the distance that you travel per year, its a no brainer that diesel is THE choice for you. The higher road tax is written off by the savings you get from lower fuel cost.

 

3) Should I get KIA carens diesel?

- You got to test drive and see whether you like it or not. There is no point buying a car and you don't feel happy stepping in it everyday.

[Lyk76]

Seems like you are looking at MPV type of big car. I think the trending for MPV are going towards diesel for Conti brand and Kia, whereas the Jap are going more into hybrid.

Based on ur mileage, you should be driving diesel or hybrid and your savings will be substantial. i wont encourage petrol as the cost may end up close to double.

I think diesel engine are generally 'tougher' but not so as refine when compared with petrol engine. 

But bottomline is to do ur servicing promptly, I believe it should be able to last.

Can anyone tell me if the diesel carens can last 500,000km in its 10 year cycle? its using crdi engine like taxi right? should be able to last as long as taxi with crdi engine right? heard taxi can overclock 1million and reset to 0 and work perfectly fine. just abit worried about their different transmission.. i drive ard 100-150km, max 250km a day.. so.. ya. currently altis second hand bought ard 44k km now already 320k km in 5 years. please advice. is kia reliable and lasting? or maybe should i stick back to toyota and get a wish instead. 

 

secondly is the diesel engine that i m interested. because currently every week go in jb to top up petrol.. very tiring. if diesel just top in sg. 

 

Please advise. thanks.