Owner reviews for the Kia Carens
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4.5/5Need a no-fuss family MPV? The Kia Carens delivers true seven-seat flexibility with the kind of running costs that suit busy UK households.
Dagenham
Hounslow
AA finance available
Romford
AA finance available
Uxbridge
AA finance available
Woking
Knebworth
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4.5/5The Kia Carens is designed for families who need space and straightforward practicality. Its seven-seat layout and flexible cabin make everyday tasks – from school runs to weekend getaways – that bit easier. Owners appreciate its user-friendly design, reasonable costs and solid equipment levels, even on entry trims. Sold from 2013 to 2019 in its most recent generation, the Kia Carens brought a more modern feel to Kia’s people carrier, featuring individually sliding middle row seats and improved boot space depending on seat use. Compared with rivals like the Ford Grand C-Max, VW Touran and Renault Grand Scenic, it often costs less to buy and benefits from Kia’s original seven-year warranty. It is a sensible, dependable option that’s easy to live with, especially for full crews.
Most models come with six airbags, electronic stability control, ISOFIX points on the second row, ABS and hill-start assist. The Kia Carens earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating, making it a safe choice for family use.
You’ll usually find a 1.6-litre petrol or a 1.7-litre diesel under the bonnet, with the diesel offered in two power outputs. If most of your driving’s local, the petrol should suit you fine – but for longer journeys or heavier loads, the diesel’s a better fit.
Even base versions include air con, electric windows, cruise control, Bluetooth and USB. Mid and higher trims add climate control, a colour touchscreen with navigation, smartphone mirroring and a reversing camera.
Diesel models return up to 67 mpg officially, while petrols average around 45 mpg. Expect lower figures in real-world driving, especially when the car’s fully loaded, but the diesel generally costs less to run over time.
Check for a full service history and test that all seven seats fold and move as intended. If it’s a diesel, make sure it’s been used for longer trips now and then, which helps the DPF stay healthy. For added peace of mind, book The AA Vehicle Inspection.
Yes – the Kia Carens has a good track record for reliability and uses well-established Kia engines. Owners rate it highly for everyday dependability. Some newer used models may still be covered by Kia’s original seven-year warranty, so it’s worth confirming with the seller.