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For years now, MPVs have been steadily infiltrating and getting some market share away from SUVs in India, earning the trust of families and fleet operators alike. Whether it’s the no-nonsense Maruti Ertiga, the ever-reliable Toyota Innova, or the sharply styled Kia Carens, the MPV format offers something few other body styles can match: space, practicality, and value.

But amid this wave of popularity, something crucial was missing. While SUVs and hatchbacks have embraced the electric revolution, MPVs have stayed largely on the sidelines. That is, until now. Kia has identified this white space in the market and responded with the Kia Carens Clavis EV — India’s first all-electric MPV aimed at the mass market.

If you’ve recently seen the refreshed ICE-powered Carens Clavis on the road, the EV will look familiar. Kia hasn’t dramatically overhauled the design, instead focusing on subtle but effective EV-specific enhancements. The front bumper has been reworked with active aero flaps to improve airflow. There’s a new light bar that connects the DRLs, now fully illuminated, unlike the cosmetic trim on the ICE version. A charging port on the nose, ice-cube LED fog lamps, and silver accents on the lower bumper further hint at the Clavis EV’s electric heart.

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You also get a 25-litre frunk for storing charging cables or small bags. From the side, the biggest change is the addition of 17-inch aero-optimised alloy wheels. The rear remains largely unchanged, save for an EV badge. Ground clearance sits at a practical 200 mm, ideal for India’s varied terrain.

Step inside, and the cabin layout mirrors the standard Carens, but Kia has made an effort to elevate the interior. The floating centre console is not only aesthetically pleasing but also adds usable storage. Premium soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door pads elevate the cabin’s feel, offering an upmarket experience that punches above its price point.

Kia’s signature dual 12.3-inch screens make a return, offering crisp graphics and responsive controls. One screen serves as the digital instrument cluster, while the other houses infotainment duties. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still missing — though Kia says a fix is on the way.

Adding to the tech-forward approach is a touch-sensitive panel that toggles between HVAC and media controls. It reduces button clutter while remaining intuitive.

Front passengers are spoiled with ventilated seats, while the driver gets a power-adjustable seat for maximum comfort. A wireless phone charger, Bose 8-speaker premium audio, and panoramic sunroof all work in harmony to create a truly premium driving and riding experience.

In true MPV fashion, the second row shines. You get ample legroom, generous headroom, and a one-touch tumble function that makes accessing the third row a breeze. Rear-seat passengers also benefit from features like the Boss Mode, which adjusts the front passenger seat for maximum legroom in the rear.

The third row is best suited for kids or shorter adults, but is usable for short stints. Even with all three rows up, there’s enough space in the boot for a few vertically stacked cabin bags. Fold the third row down, and you unlock considerable cargo space. Don’t forget the frunk for smaller items.

The Carens Clavis EV shares its underpinnings with the Hyundai Creta EV, which means it comes with two battery options. The base variant features a 42kWh pack with a claimed 404 km ARAI range, while the larger 51.4kWh battery bumps that number up to a healthy 490 km.

The smaller battery is paired with a 133 bhp motor, while the larger one gets a 168 bhp motor — both of which produce 26 kgm of torque. Performance is brisk, especially with the 51.4kWh variant, which sprints from 0-100 kph in just 8.4 seconds.

Charging options include 7.4kW and 11kW AC chargers. With the 11kW charger, the smaller battery can be topped up from 10-100 per cent in just 4 hours, while the larger one takes 4 hours and 45 minutes. Kia also offers an 8-year/160,000 km warranty on the battery, which should ease any long-term ownership anxiety.

In our brief test drive on the outskirts of Bangalore, we covered 140 km with the range meter showing a drop of about 180 km. This translates to a real-world range of 360-420 km, depending on your driving style. Go easy on the throttle, and you might even surpass that.

MPVs aren’t typically known for being fun to drive, but the Carens Clavis EV subverts expectations. It’s low centre of gravity and torquey electric motor deliver a surprisingly engaging driving experience. Whether darting through city traffic or tackling a few winding roads outside the city, the Clavis feels planted and responsive.

Handling is more car-like than MPV-like, which is a big win. Body roll is well-controlled, and the suspension setup strikes a fine balance between comfort and composure. On smoother tarmac, the ride quality is plush. On broken surfaces, there’s a bit of rebound felt in the third row, but it’s never jarring. Lower speeds over speed bumps help smoothen out that slight firmness.

The instant torque delivery makes overtaking effortless. In Sport mode, the Carens Clavis EV has no trouble surging forward to fill highway gaps or climb steep gradients, even when fully loaded.

Kia hasn’t cut corners on safety. The Carens Clavis EV comes with six airbags, ESC, hill assist, TPMS, and all-wheel disc brakes. It also offers ADAS Level 2 capabilities and a 360-degree camera. Kia has confirmed that the EV has been sent for Bharat NCAP testing, and they expect a strong score.

On the connectivity front, Kia’s suite of connected car tech allows you to lock/unlock the car, pre-cool the cabin, and even roll up windows remotely via a smartphone app. It adds a level of convenience that’s becoming increasingly expected in this segment. You also get Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, meaning the EV can power external devices — perfect for weekend camping trips or emergency use.

The Kia Carens Clavis EV starts at ₹17.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the 42kWh variant, and that makes it India’s most affordable all-electric MPV. Its closest rivals? The MG Windsor EV, which offers fewer seats and features, and the BYD e6, which costs over ₹26 lakh but lacks the same breadth of functionality.

Kia has hit a sweet spot here. You get more space, more features, more performance, and more value. It also appeals to a wider audience — be it large families, fleet operators, or urban dwellers looking for a practical and premium EV with genuine everyday usability.

With the Carens Clavis EV, Kia has brought something truly unique to the Indian automotive space — a practical, premium, electric MPV that makes no real compromises. It blends comfort, technology, and clever packaging with the benefits of electric mobility.

Whether you’re a private buyer or a fleet operator, the Carens Clavis EV makes a compelling case for itself. It’s spacious, well-equipped, fun to drive, and kind to the environment. Most importantly, it fills a glaring gap in the market at a price that feels fair and forward-thinking.