CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.5 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 23.3%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 4.2 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 60
Average Price: Around £9,000

Kia Carens (2013-2019) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Practical seven-seat interior	Dull to drive compared with a Ford Grand C-Max
Lots of standard equipment	Not as well finished as a Volkswagen Touran
Improved infotainment after 2016 facelift	Lacklustre petrol engine

Quick Summary

The Kia Carens (2013-2019) is a seven-seat people carrier that delivers practical family motoring at an affordable price. This third-generation model boasts a versatile interior with three individual middle-row seats and two folding third-row seats, offering a 492-litre boot when folded. The cabin is durable and user-friendly, with intuitive controls and generous storage throughout. Kia's market-leading seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty on original examples provided exceptional peace of mind, backed by the brand's strong reliability reputation.

Engine options include a 1.6-litre petrol producing 133bhp and a 1.7-litre diesel available in 114bhp or 134bhp outputs. The more powerful diesel is recommended for its improved mid-range torque and flexibility, though it can sound coarse when worked hard. A 2016 facelift brought updated styling, improved infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a snappier seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Running costs are reasonable, with diesels achieving 45-50mpg and all engines featuring timing chains rather than belts, reducing maintenance costs.

Best for: Families prioritising practicality, flexibility, and reliability over driving dynamics; buyers seeking affordable seven-seat motoring with generous equipment levels; those valuing stress-free ownership and low running costs.

Not ideal for: Drivers seeking engaging handling or premium interior finishes; those preferring the driving dynamics of a Ford Grand C-Max or the refinement of a Volkswagen Touran; buyers wanting a smooth-running diesel engine.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the Carens if: You're a family prioritising practicality, flexibility, and reliability over driving dynamics, or seeking affordable seven-seat motoring with generous equipment and low running costs.

Consider alternatives if: You value engaging handling, premium interior finishes, or the refinement of rivals like the Volkswagen Touran or Ford C-Max.

Competitive Position: The Kia Carens (2013-2019) is an excellent value proposition in the seven-seat MPV market. Whilst it trails the Ford Grand C-Max for driving dynamics and the Volkswagen Touran for interior quality and refinement, its practical interior, generous standard equipment, strong reliability, and lower purchase price make it a compelling choice for budget-conscious families. The improved infotainment and transmission after the 2016 facelift further enhance its appeal. For those prioritising practicality and affordability over outright performance, the Carens represents outstanding value.

Read our full Kia Carens Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from June 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.

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