Korean carmaker Kia is all set to launch the new three-row SUV Carens on February 15. Kia Carens in Nepal is expected around March 2022, according to the company. The new Kia Carens will be the South Korean carmaker's fourth product in Nepal after Seltos, Sonet, and Carnival. The Carens are based on the company's popular compact SUV - the Kia Seltos and come with the same petrol and diesel powertrains. Kia Carens will be available with a wide choice of engine, gearbox, trim levels and come with a host of features.

The Kia Carens will be available in five trim levels – Premium, Prestige, Prestige Plus, Luxury, and Luxury Plus. All variants are equipped with strong safety features like six airbags, electronic stability control, VSM, hill assist control, DBC, ABS, brake assist system, disc brakes on all four wheels, Highline TPMS, and rear parking sensors. The Car also comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the latest generation 'Kia Connect' connected car tech. 

The new Kia Carens in Nepal will offer a unique combination of features like LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, a wide air dam, 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, roof rails, aggressive-looking wraparound LED taillamps, a muscular rear bumper, and a sunroof. The Car also gets Bose premium sound system with 8 speakers, and a smart pure air purifier with virus and bacteria protection. The Carens will come with both 6- and 7-seater cabin layout options including AC vents with a one-touch electric tumble function for the middle-row seat.

Kia Carens powertrain options include Smartstream 1.5-litre petrol, Smartstream 1.4-litre T-GDi turbo-petrol, and a 1.5 CRDi VGT diesel engine. The 1.5-liter petrol produces 113bhp and 144Nm torque and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The 1.4-liter turbo-petrol produces 138bhp and 242Nm and is mated with a six-speed manual and a seven-speed DCT unit. The 1.5 diesel produces 113bhp and 250Nm of torque and is mated with a six-speed manual and a six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. 

The Kia Carens are expected to be priced between NRs. 45 lakhs to NRs. 50 lakhs in the Nepalese market. Once launched in Nepal, It will compete against the likes of Maruti XL6, Mahindra Marazzo, MG Hector Plus, Hyundai Alcazar, and the Mahindra XUV700. The Kia Carens are manufactured at the Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh India and could cost less money than expected. Carens will be the first Kia Cars in Nepal to follow the new design language that is manufactured in India.

For the latest auto news in Nepal, follow nepalautotrader.com on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Reddit and subscribe to our YouTube channel.