Kia Carens Clavis ICE vs Kia Carens Clavis EV: differences explained

The Kia Carens Clavis EV launched recently as the all-electric counterpart of the MPV’s ICE-powered version, which itself went on sale a few months ago as a facelift of the original Carens. Positioned as Kia’s more premium MPVs, both ICE and EV iterations of the Carens Clavis feature numerous similarities on the outside, but there’s a lot that differentiates them underneath.

Kia Carens Clavis ICE vs Carens Clavis EV exterior design

Carens Clavis EV gets active aero flaps and charging port on fascia

The Carens Clavis EV is a direct ICE-to-EV conversion of the Carens Clavis, and therefore doesn’t sport any significant styling changes. However, the all-electric Carens Clavis does get some EV-specific flourishes. Up front, there’s a DRL strip between the headlights, a charging port underneath them, new silver trim pieces, and active aero flaps in the bumper. Over to the side, new aero-optimised alloy wheels take prominence, while at the rear, the only differentiator is an EV badge.

Kia Carens Clavis ICE vs Carens Clavis EV interior

Carens Clavis EV has floating centre console

Inside, the differences between the ICE and EV versions of the Carens Clavis are a bit more substantial. The overall dashboard layout is identical between the two, but the Carens Clavis EV features a new floating centre console that eschews the ICE counterpart’s gear selector, shifting it to the steering column instead.

Carens Clavis ICE offers 6-seat layout

This allows for extra storage space in the Carens Clavis EV’s cabin, and it’s also upholstered in different colours and equipped with new trim on the dashboard and door pads. It’s worth noting, though, that the Carens Clavis ICE can be had with both 6-seater and 7-seater configurations in its top-spec HTX+ trim, but the Carens Clavis EV is available as a 7-seater only.

Kia Carens Clavis ICE vs Carens Clavis EV features and safety

Both MPVs matched when it comes to creature comforts

As is the trend so far, the Carens Clavis EV maintains parity with the ICE version in terms of equipment. Goodies like a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, ventilated front seats, powered driver’s seat, Level 2 ADAS, and more are available with the Carens Clavis EV.

Carens Clavis EV gets V2L and can mimic engine sounds

Over the regular Carens Clavis, the electric MPV gets V2L (vehicle to load) functionality, which allows it to power external devices, as well as a virtual engine sound system to alert nearby pedestrians. The condensed variant line-up of the Carens Clavis EV also means that it packs in a lot more standard equipment than its ICE counterpart from the base trim level itself (albeit for a higher price). For example, Level 2 ADAS is offered in the Carens Clavis’ top-spec HTX+ trim, but the Carens Clavis EV gets the feature in its one-above-base HTX trim level.

Kia Carens Clavis ICE vs Carens Clavis EV powertrains

Carens Clavis gets three engine options

Expectedly, this is where the biggest differences between both versions of the Carens Clavis lie. Starting with the ICE Carens Clavis, the MPV can be had with three 1.5-litre engine options: a 115hp, 144Nm naturally aspirated petrol, a 116hp, 250Nm turbo-diesel, and a 160hp, 253Nm turbo-petrol. A 6-speed manual gearbox is common across the trio of powerplants, with the diesel additionally offering a 6-speed torque converter auto and the turbo-petrol a 6-speed iMT and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

42kWh and 51.4kWh battery options for Carens Clavis EV

On the other hand, the Carens Clavis EV lifts its powertrains straight from the Hyundai Creta Electric, with 42kWh and 51.4kWh battery pack options – both coupled to a single motor mounted on the front axle. The 42kWh variants of the Carens Clavis EV develop 135hp and 255Nm, with an MIDC-certified range of 404km, whereas the 51.4kWh variants dial the output up to 171hp and claimed range to 490km. All Carens Clavis EV variants get 4-level regenerative braking via paddle shifters as well.

The Carens Clavis EV supports 7.4kW and 11kW AC charging, as well as 100kW DC fast charging. Using the 11kW AC charger, the 42kWh battery takes 4 hours for a 10 to 100 percent charge, while the 51.4kWh unit takes 4 hours and 45 mins for the same. The 100kW DC fast charger can juice up both batteries from 10 to 80 percent in just 39 minutes.

Kia Carens Clavis ICE vs Carens Clavis EV price and variants

Carens Clavis ICE is more affordable and has wider gamut of variants

With seven trim levels on offer – HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK+, HTK+(O), HTX, and HTX+ – the ICE-powered Carens Clavis more than doubles the Carens Clavis EV’s 3-strong trim line-up (HTK+, HTX, HTX+). Pricing also skews in the Carens Clavis ICE’s favour, with the MPV starting at Rs 11.50 lakh and topping off at Rs 21.50 lakh, whereas the Carens Clavis EV price ranges between Rs 17.99 lakh and Rs 24.49 lakh.

All prices ex-showroom, India.

Also see:

Kia Carens Clavis variants and features explained

Kia Carens Clavis review: Carens goes upmarket