KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Kia Carens facelift coming soon.
- Will come with Level 2 ADAS, a panoramic sunroof, and rear seat ventilation, as we expect.
- Direct competitor of Maruti XL6.
The Kia Carens facelift is coming soon and has been spied multiple times testing in India. By now, we have seen multiple spy shots and can easily talk about the new features it will get, as they are clearly visible. That said, it is already way ahead in terms of engine options and features, even with the current model, and the upcoming one will take it to the next level. So, let's point out how it will overshadow its direct rival, the Maruti XL6, this time. More information below. In the meantime, make sure to join the 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
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Upcoming Kia Carens Facelift
The Kia Carens, one of the best-selling MPVs, finally gets its first update after launching in 2021. This MPV has redefined the segment and catered to a customer base that wanted a 7-seater but not an expensive car like the Toyota Innova. Also, its direct rival is just one car - the Maruti XL6, which is essentially a premium version of the Ertiga - so, in terms of the overall package, the XL6 couldn't offer the experience that the Carens is providing. Now, the facelift is on its way, and it will take the features on offer to another league, which will put a dent in the sales of Maruti's premium MPV. So, what it will get is mentioned below.
ADAS Level 2
Multiple spy shots have revealed that this MPV will now be getting Level 2 ADAS, as the front radar and camera on the windshield indicate. Now, after receiving this advanced safety feature, every Kia lineup will have ADAS. At the moment, we don't know the exact features, but it will get at least 25+ safety technologies. Comparing it with the Maruti XL6, which doesn't even have front parking sensors, makes the gap in safety features even more evident.
Panaramic Sunroof
The current Kia Carens only has a single-pane sunroof on offer, which feels small in such a huge car. To fix this problem, Kia will now be adding a panoramic sunroof to the Carens, and just like Syros, they might include this from the mid-variants. The benefit of sunroofs is that natural light makes the interior feel extremely open, and the overall space area feels bigger. For people who don't like claustrophobic cars, this works like medicine. Drifting away from the Carens to the XL6, there is no sunroof on offer, but its tall height makes for a lot of space inside.
Rear Seat Ventilation
Kia has done what no automaker has done till now in the sub-4 meter SUV segment by providing rear seat ventilation. For that reason, it's no big deal for them to put captain seats at the back with ventilation. Last year, the Hyundai Alcazar facelift also brought rear seat ventilation, so this year, the Carens will get it too, along with Bose mode. In the Maruti XL6, only the front seats get the ventilation function.
Electric Tail-gate
This is clearly our assumption, as Kia is known for disrupting the market and providing features that no one else is offering. As the top variant of the Carens would easily cost Rs 20 lakh plus ex-showroom, it might get the electric trunk with gesture controls. If it happens, then this could become a deal-breaker as people love this, and it has real practical advantages. So, keeping our fingers crossed.
Large Infotainment Screen
The current model is equipped with a 10.25-inch screen with high-definition resolution, but a real con of this screen is that it doesn't have wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Now, Kia might upgrade it with a 12.5-inch infotainment screen, which comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and it will also get Kia OTA updates. This screen was introduced in the Syros, a segment-lower vehicle, so it's no big deal if the upcoming Carens gets it. Talking about the XL6, it features a relatively small 7-inch infotainment display, which also appears very aftermarket.
Also Read: Why Kia Syros Makes More Sense Than Kia Seltos. In Certain Areas
Verdict
The upcoming Kia Carens is coming to raise the bar once again, and this time, it will get features that step into the bigger segment. Also, it's already a successful car, so sales will be great, and that's for sure. Talking about the XL6, it needs to buckle up, as it's already low on features and also loses out on a diesel powertrain. Other than this, Kia might surprise us with even more features than we expect.
