If you are looking for a spacious 7-seater car for a large family and want to keep running costs under control, Kia has introduced new CNG options in its MPV lineup. The Kia Carens and Carens Clavis are now available with factory-fitted CNG technology, eliminating the need for an aftermarket CNG kit.

The Carens CNG starts at ₹12.12 lakh ex-showroom, while the Carens Clavis CNG starts at ₹12.39 lakh.

Kia Carens and Carens Clavis CNG Price

The Kia Carens CNG is available in the Premium (O) variant and is priced at ₹12.12 lakh ex-showroom.

The Carens Clavis CNG is offered in two variants:

• HTE – ₹12.39 lakh

• HTE (O) – ₹13.35 lakh

According to the listed prices, the CNG versions cost around ₹1 lakh more than the corresponding petrol-manual variants.

For comparison, other CNG MPVs in the segment include the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG, priced from around ₹10.94 lakh, Toyota Rumion CNG at around ₹11.69 lakh and Maruti Suzuki XL6 CNG at around ₹12.61 lakh.

1.5-Litre Engine With Manual Gearbox

Both the Carens and Carens Clavis CNG use a 1.5-litre Smartstream petrol engine that has been tuned to operate with CNG.

In CNG mode, the engine produces 96 hp of power and 123 Nm of torque. This is lower than the output of the petrol version, with a reduction of around 19 hp and 21 Nm of torque.

The CNG models come with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Unlike their petrol counterparts, the CNG versions are not offered with iMT or DCT automatic transmission options.

Kia has not yet announced official fuel-efficiency figures for these CNG variants, so their exact CNG mileage cannot be confirmed at this stage.

CNG Tank Takes Up Some Boot Space

Both models get a 60-litre CNG tank positioned underneath the boot floor, along with the petrol fuel system.

The additional tank does have an impact on luggage capacity. With all three rows in use, boot space falls from approximately 216 litres to 116 litres.

The spare wheel continues to be positioned underneath the vehicle. Drivers can switch between petrol and CNG using a dedicated control, while the 4.2-inch colour TFT display provides information related to CNG operation and mileage.

Suspension and Brakes Also Updated

Since the addition of the CNG tank increases the vehicle's overall weight, Kia has made changes to the suspension setup.

The company has also upgraded the front disc brakes and fitted R16 wheels. The engine has been recalibrated specifically for CNG operation to help maintain smooth performance.

Apart from these mechanical changes, most of the features and equipment remain similar to the corresponding petrol versions.

Factory-Fitted CNG in a 7-Seater MPV

With the introduction of these CNG variants, Kia has expanded its presence in the factory-fitted CNG 7-seater MPV segment. For buyers who regularly travel with a large family and cover significant distances, the new CNG versions offer another fuel option without requiring an aftermarket conversion.

However, buyers should consider the higher upfront price, reduced boot capacity and availability of CNG stations in their area before making a purchase.