The Luxury (O) trim level for Kia's Caren vehicle, with a price range of Rs 17 lakh to 17.70 lakh, was just recently announced. Kia India revised Caren's portfolio barely two weeks ago to include RDE-compliant engines. The new trim does not offer a manual transmission option and is only offered in a 7-seater variant. It sits in the middle of the Luxury and Luxury Plus trims.
Recently added to the Kia Carens portfolio is the Luxury (O) trim, which is between the top two trims, Luxury and Luxury Plus. However, unlike the Luxury trim, which has a 6-seat option, it is only available in a 7-seater configuration. Additional amenities include a sunroof and ambient lighting that adjust depending on the drive mode. However, the top-tier Luxury Plus's features, such as an eight-speaker Bose audio system, paddle shifters, and ventilated front seats, must be added to this model.
The Kia Carens Luxury (O) has convenience and safety features, including the driver, passenger, curtain airbags, ABS, ESC, and hill-start assist. Along with 16-inch crystal-cut alloy wheels and 3-point seatbelts for every seat, the MPV includes disc brakes on all four wheels. A leather-wrapped, tilt-and-telescopic-adjustable steering wheel stands out in the Luxury (O) variant's cabin. It is the perfect car for extended trips thanks to the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, four speakers, two tweeters, five USB C-type chargers, and the cooled cupholders in both the first and second rows.
In response to the new RDE regulations, Kia has added a new Luxury (O) trim for the Carens and replaced some manual transmissions with iMT gears. However, this trim has no manual or iMT option; it is only offered in an automatic configuration. A 1.5-litre turbocharged gasoline engine linked with a 7-speed DCT transmission can provide 160 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, while a 1.5-litre diesel engine paired with a 6-speed AT gearbox can produce 116 horsepower.
Priced at Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom) for the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with a 7-speed DCT and Rs 17.70 lakh (ex-showroom) for the 1.5-litre diesel paired with a 6-speed AT, the new Kia Carens Luxury (O) trim is available. The MPV is in direct competition with the Maruti Suzuki XL6 and Ertiga, which are less expensive than the Carens. But compared to its rivals, the Carens has more features and a more potent engine.
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