If you’re hunting a low‑cost MPV that doesn’t skimp on space, the new CNG‑fitted Carens and Clavis give you that. The 1.5‑litre naturally aspirated engine still roars through a 6‑speed manual, but in CNG mode it chugs out 96 PS and 123 Nm, a modest dip from the petrol version’s 116 PS and 144 Nm.
The 60‑litre CNG cylinder sits under the boot floor, sitting alongside the standard petrol tank. That means the boot shrinks to 116 litres with all three rows upright, yet you still get a spare tyre and a full three‑row layout that can carry five adults comfortably.
Kia has split the lineup into two trim families. The Carens CNG comes only in a Premium (O) trim at ₹12.11 Lakh, while the Clavis offers a HTE variant at ₹12.38 Lakh and a more feature‑rich HTE (O) at ₹13.34 Lakh. All versions get a 16‑inch front disc brake, R16 wheels, and a dashboard fuel‑change switch that alerts you when the CNG reserve hits low.
In the MPV arena, the Carens now sits just above the Maruti Gypsy and below the Tata XZ200 in price. The Gypsy, which also offers a CNG option, starts at ₹11.99 Lakh but has a smaller boot and fewer safety gadgets. Tata’s XZ200, on the other hand, charges around ₹13.50 Lakh and pulls a 1.3‑litre turbo‑charged engine, giving it a power advantage but at a higher cost.
The move comes as India’s fuel‑price volatility pushes buyers toward cheaper, cleaner alternatives. Central and state governments have been offering tax rebates and incentives for CNG‑fitted vehicles, and Kia’s factory‑fitted kit removes the need for after‑market installations that can add up to ₹1.5 Lakh in hidden costs.
The CNG variants hit the showroom floor next month, with availability starting in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Keep an eye on the next wave of updates, as Kia is likely to bring a hybrid‑powered Carens in the coming year to stay ahead of the EV‑and‑CNG push.