The electric car scene here in India just got a lot more exciting, and honestly, a bit more family-friendly too! I’m talking about the Kia Carens Clavis EV, which just officially rolled out. This isn’t just another electric car; it’s Kia’s first big mass-market EV actually built right here in India, and it’s aiming to change how families think about electric mobility.
Imagine getting all the space and practicality of an RV, but with the quiet, clean power of an electric vehicle. That’s pretty much what the Carens Clavis EV is all about. Starting at a really competitive ₹17.99 lakh (ex-showroom), this 7-seater electric vehicle is definitely going to shake things up in our quickly growing EV market.
They’re making these beauties at Kia’s plant in Anantapur. You can tell it’s a Carens, but they’ve added some cool electric touches. The front now has a neat charging port that lights up, a slightly tweaked bumper, and these awesome Star Map LED DRLs that connect with a sleek light strip. Look down a bit and you’ll spot new 17-inch crystal-cut, dual-tone alloy wheels that are actually designed to be more aerodynamic. Around the back, there’s a subtle ‘EV’ badge and those cool connected Star Map LED taillamps. It all just looks… modern.
What’s Under the Hood (or Rather, the Floor)? Powering Your Family Adventures
Kia’s giving us choices when it comes to batteries, which is smart because not everyone needs the same range.
* There’s a 42kWh battery pack that’s certified to give you 404 km on a single charge. That’s a good chunk of distance!
* But if you’re like me and want more peace of mind for longer trips, there’s a bigger 51.4kWh battery pack. This one boasts an impressive range of up to 490 km. Pretty great, right?
Both these batteries are built tough, with an IP67 rating for water and dust (so no worries about our unpredictable weather), and they’ve got a liquid-cooling system to keep things running smoothly.
Now, about the actual driving power:
* The 42kWh version comes with a 99kW electric motor.
* The larger 51.4kWh variant gets a more powerful 126kW (about 169 bhp) electric motor and delivers a hefty 255Nm of torque. What does that mean for you? It means this bigger version can zip from 0 to 100 km/h in a quick 8.4 seconds. So, it won’t just be quiet, it’ll be peppy too!
And charging? They’ve thought of that. The Carens Clavis EV supports 100kW DC fast charging, which means you can go from 10% to 80% charge in a speedy 39 minutes. If you’re charging at home, an 11kW AC charger will get you from 10% to full in about 4 hours and 45 minutes. Perfect for overnight charging.
Stepping Inside: Tech, Comfort, and Family Fun
The inside of the Kia Carens Clavis EV keeps that wonderfully spacious feel of the regular Carens, but they’ve packed it with EV-specific tech. The first thing that catches your eye is probably that huge 67.62cm (26.62-inch) panoramic display – it’s like a cinema screen for your infotainment and driver info, all seamless.
Other little luxuries that really make a difference:
* A dual-pane panoramic sunroof that lets in so much light.
* Ventilated front seats – a blessing in our Indian summers!
* A powered driver’s seat to get your perfect driving position.
* A fantastic Bose 8-speaker sound system for your tunes.
* 64-colour ambient lighting to set the mood.
* Wireless charging for your phone, because wires are so last decade.
* One-touch tumble second-row seats for super easy access to the back.
* And get this, a “Boss Mode” that gives extra legroom for those in the second row – sounds comfy!
* There’s even a seat-mounted air purifier with an AQI display – brilliant for keeping the air inside clean.
* They’ve added rear-seat tech holders for tablets, and a cool floating console with a premium sliding cover for smart storage.
* You’ll even find paddle shifters for controlling the “i-Pedal” and regenerative braking, letting you manage how much energy the car recovers.
The interior itself looks fresh too, with a new dual-tone black and beige theme. Oh, and a practical 25-litre ‘frunk’ (that’s a front trunk!) under the hood, complete with a cover, for extra storage. Handy!
Safety First, Always
Kia hasn’t skimped on safety, which is a huge relief for families. The Carens Clavis EV is loaded:
* Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) with 20 different autonomous features – that’s a lot of extra eyes and assistance on the road.
* 6 airbags come standard – good to know.
* Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with EBD for better control.
* Hill Start Assist (HSA).
* A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
* A 360-degree camera for easy parking and maneuvering.
* And disc brakes on all four wheels for strong stopping power.
Models and What They’ll Cost You
The Kia Carens Clavis EV comes in a 7-seater configuration across four different variants:
* HTK Plus (42kWh): ₹17,99,000
* HTX (42kWh): ₹20,49,000
* ER HTX (51.4kWh): ₹22,49,000
* ER HTX Plus (51.4kWh): ₹24,49,000
(Just remember, these are ex-showroom prices for now.)
If you’re interested, you can start booking the Kia Carens Clavis EV from July 22, 2025. Honestly, with its generous space, all those cool features, the solid pricing, and that impressive range, I think the Carens Clavis EV is going to be a big hit here in India. It really does offer families a practical, sustainable, and genuinely appealing way to get around.