The Kia Carens () is a compact MPV manufactured by Kia since 1999, spanning over four generations, and was marketed worldwide under various nameplates, prominently as the Kia Rondo.
The initial three generations had an MPV body style. They were marketed worldwide, with presence in their home country, South Korea, in Europe, and North America since the second generation.
The fourth-generation model came out in the end of 2021, retaining the MPV body style, with some different approach in terms of design and targeted markets, as it was developed as a "strategic model" for the Indian market, and it adopts a crossover-inspired exterior design.
The name "Carens" derives from the word "car" and "renaissance", while the name "Rondo" derives from the musical term Rondo.
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First generation (RS/FJ; 1999)
Kia debuted the first generation model of Carens, the RS series in May 1999. It is based on the same platform as the Kia Sephia. A facelift was issued in 2002.
The model was discontinued in Australia in 2001, with production continuing elsewhere for the updated model which was launched in 2002.
Facelift
Malaysia The first-generation vehicle was initially sold in Malaysia as the Kia Carens. Since January 2005, the Kia Carens was rebadged as the Naza Citra by Naza. The Naza Citra was updated in June 2009.
Second generation (UN; 2006)
The second generation Carens, known as the UN series, was launched in 2006. The Carens/Rondo followed Kia's introduction at the Frankfurt Motor Show of the Multi-S, essentially the Carens/Rondo in concept form — the S standing for Sporty, Spacious and Smart. The Multi-S differed significantly from the production model, only its inclusion of a dual panel sunroof running the length of the roof. In North America and Australia, the car is called the Rondo and Rondo7 respectively.
The Rondo made its public debut at the 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show, with the 2007 model's North American sales debut in December 2006 in Canada and early 2007 in the United States. In Australia, sales commenced April 2008.
In the United States, Kia sold more than 20,000 units in each of the first two model years exceeding internal sales goals. Sales rapidly declined in the 2009 model year and remained low in 2010, its final model year.
North America Available as a five or optional seven passenger vehicle with either a standard 175 hp 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine or an optional 192 hp 2.7-litre V6 engine in two trim levels. In Australia, it is only available as a seven-passenger vehicle with a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine and a choice of an automatic or manual transmission, depending on trim level. The V6 was Kia's last engine to use a timing belt instead of a timing chain.
Standard features depending on market include: sixteen inch alloy wheels, AM/FM/CD player/Sirius Satellite Radio/MP3 Capability, iPod auxiliary jack, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, front/side/full length Side curtain airbags, four wheel disc brakes, ABS, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring system, LATCH, child safety door locks, tilt steering column, front and rear twelve volt outlets, front and rear cup holders.
Options include: moonroof, leather interior, heated front seats, cruise control, keyless entry, Infinity ten speaker stereo, automated climate control.
As of August 2010, Kia discontinued the Rondo in the United States and continued to market the 2011 facelifted Carens/Rondo in Canada, adopting Kia's new grille.
Facelift
Safety
Third generation (RP; 2013)
Kia debuted the third-generation Carens (codename: RP) in September 2012 at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The V6 from the second generation has been dropped, and in its place is the option of a 2.0-litre Nu four-cylinder GDI petrol, producing and , or a 1.7-litre U2 four-cylinder diesel producing and , both paired either with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. A 1.6-litre GDI petrol engine was also available in the UK. The Carens is offered in either 5-seat or 7-seat configurations. Sales began in March 2013 in South Korea.
In North America, the third generation Kia Rondo was only available in Canada, due to slow sales in the United States. Sales in Canada ended after the 2017 model year.
Update In September 2016, the Carens was given a minor facelift with redesigned fascias, wheels and lights, as well as an enlarged "Tiger Nose" grille. The 1.7-litre diesel was retuned for a slight output increase and produced and , while its 6-speed automatic transmission was replaced with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Marketing In March 2013, Kia Motors collaborated with DreamWorks Animation to cross promote the Carens with the film The Croods.
Safety
Fourth generation (KY; 2021)
The fourth-generation Carens was first unveiled in India on 16 December 2021.
It was developed under the codename "KY". Based on a stretched Seltos/Hyundai Creta platform, it is mainly marketed for India and other emerging markets as opposed to previous generations. It is marketed by Kia as a "recreational vehicle" (RV) with 6-seater and 7-seater configurations offered and was developed with an emphasis on space for third-row seat occupants.
The model shared the same powertrain and gearbox options as the Indian-made Seltos, consisting of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. The petrol engines are 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine that makes paired with six-speed manual transmission or CVT, and a 1.4-litre Smartstream turbocharged engine that produces paired with six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The diesel engine is a 1.5-litre U-Line unit that produces paired with six-speed manual transmission or six-speed torque-converter automatic.
2025 facelift (Carens Clavis) In May 2025, Kia introduced the facelifted Carens called the Carens Clavis in India, an updated version of the existing MPV lineup.
The facelifted Carens introduces a redesigned exterior with a revised front and rear fascia with connected LED lamps. The interior includes dual 12.25-inch displays with one for the infotainment system and another as a digital instrument cluster. Additional features include a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a Bose premium audio system, ambient lighting, wireless charging, and a 4-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Safety equipment addition includes Level 2 ADAS.
The facelifted Carens is offered with three engine options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine (replacing the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine), and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual transmission, a 6-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT), and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
In India, the pre-facelifted model was sold alongside the facelifted model in a single trim called Premium (O), and the Carens Clavis is marketed simply as the facelifted Carens outside India.
Carens EV / Carens Clavis EV The Carens EV, also known in India as the Carens Clavis EV, is a battery electric variant of the facelifted Carens, and it is Kia's first electric vehicle manufactured in India.
It was launched on 15 July 2025.
It is available in Standard Range and Long Range models, featuring battery options of 42 kWh or 51.4 kWh, which offer a claimed range of up to 490 km (as per ARAI standards). The electric motor produces for the Standard Range model. for the Long Range model. Equipment changes compared to the petrol and diesel-powered models include paddle shifters for regenerative braking, and the exclusion of a 6-seater captain seat option for the second row seats.
Bookings for the Carens Clavis EV in India commenced on 22 July 2025, a few weeks after the electric vehicle was launched.
A Hyundai-badged variant of the Carens EV will be produced and marketed in Indonesia as the Hyundai Neira, which was showcased at the 33th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in July 2026 as a prototype model. At the same show, Kia also displayed the Carens EV Concept, marking the first appearance of the Carens EV outside India.
Markets India The fourth-generation Carens was launched in India on 15 February 2022, with five trim levels: Premium, Prestige, Prestige Plus, Luxury and Luxury Plus. All trims come standard as a 7-seater configuration, while the 6-seater configuration with captain seats is available for the Luxury Plus trim. The 1.5-litre petrol engine (6-speed manual) was available for the Premium and Prestige trims, while the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol (6-speed manual/7-speed DCT) and 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel (6-speed manual/6-speed automatic) engines were available for all trims.
The facelifted model called the Carens Clavis was launched in India on 23 May 2025, with seven trim levels: HTE, HTE (O), HTK, HTK Plus, HTK Plus (O), HTX and HTX Plus. All trims come standard as a 7-seater configuration, while the 6-seater configuration with captain seats is available for the HTX Plus trim. The 1.5-litre petrol engine (6-speed manual) was available for the HTE, HTE (O) and HTK trims, the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol (6-speed manual transmission/6-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT)/7-speed DCT) was available for all trims except for the HTE, and the 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine (6-speed manual/6-speed automatic) was available for all trims except for the HTX Plus. Since the launch of Carens Clavis, the pre-facelift Carens is available in the single 7-seater, Premium (O) trim.
The battery electric variant, called the Carens Clavis EV, was launched in India on 15 July 2025. It is based on the facelifted model, and is available in three trim levels: HTK (Standard Range), HTX (Standard Range/Long Range) and HTX+ (Long Range).
Indonesia
The fourth-generation Carens was first introduced in Indonesia at the 2022 Gaikindo Jakarta Auto Week on 12 March 2022, and was launched at the 29th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show on 11 August 2022. At launch, it was available in the sole Premiere trim, powered by either a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an IVT or a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 7-speed DCT. The former variant has a 7-seater configuration, while the latter variant has a 6-seater configuration with captain seats. In May 2023, the Premium trim equipped with the 1.5-litre petrol engine was made available as a 6-seater configuration with captain seats.
The facelifted model was launched in Indonesia at the 33rd Indonesia International Motor Show on 5 February 2026, following the changeover of local distributorship of Kia vehicles to Kia Sales Indonesia, a Kia Corporation subsidiary. It is available in three trim levels: Trendy, Motion, and Signature, all variants powered by the 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an IVT. All trims are available with either 7-seater or 6-seater configurations. An unnamed base variant with a 6-speed manual transmission was introduced in July 2026.
The Carens EV and its rebadged model, the Hyundai Neira, was introduced on 29 July 2026. It is named after Banda Neira island in the province of Maluku.
South Africa The fourth-generation Carens was launched in South Africa on 6 May 2026, with four trim levels: LS, LX, EX and SX, all variants powered by the 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.
Vietnam