Gwuanguu Lee, Managing Director and CEO of Kia India, explained that the name “Clavis,” derived from the Latin “Clavis Auera” (Golden Key), reflects Kia’s “Opposites United Philosophy.” Lee also hinted at a future electric variant, stating, “Clavis will soon introduce Kia’s first mass-market electric vehicle.”
The Carens Clavis features Kia’s latest design language, including a digital tiger face with tri-beam LED headlights, arrow-shaped LED daytime running lights, and a slim grille. At the rear, it has star-shaped LED taillights connected by a full-width light bar and an updated bumper.
The vehicle retains the Carens’ silhouette but adds 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, black wheel arch cladding, silver door handles, and roof rails. It is offered in eight monotone colours: Ivory Silver Gloss, Pewter Olive, Imperial Blue, Glacier White Pearl, Gravity Gray, Sparkling Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, and Clear White.
Inside, the Carens Clavis offers a revamped dashboard with a 26.62-inch dual panoramic display, combining a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The cabin includes a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, touch-based climate controls, and an 8-speaker Bose audio system.
Additional features include a wireless charger with cooling, a 360-degree camera, a dashcam with dual view, and a 4-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat. The MPV is available in six- or seven-seater layouts, with the six-seater exclusive to the top-spec HTX+ trim. Second-row captain seats offer sliding, reclining, and one-touch electric tumble functions, while a walk-in lever allows easy access by sliding the first-row passenger seat.
The Carens Clavis retains the same powertrains as the Carens but adds a 6-speed manual transmission for the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. Engine options include a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol (115bhp, 144Nm), a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol (160bhp, 253Nm), and a 1.5-litre diesel (116bhp, 250Nm).
Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) for the turbo-petrol, and a 6-speed automatic for the diesel.
Hardeep S Brar, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales and Marketing, stated that petrol variants account for 58% of Carens sales, diesel 42%, with 32% of buyers choosing automatic or iMT transmissions and 28% opting for sunroof variants.
In terms of safety, the Carens Clavis comes equipped with Level-2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), offering 20 autonomous features such as forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, blind spot collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist.
Standard safety features include six airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), front and rear parking sensors, and a rear occupant alert.
The Carens Clavis will be available in seven trims—HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK+, HTK+(O), HTX, and HTX+. While it has no direct competitors, it sits between entry-level MPVs like the Maruti Ertiga (₹8.97 lakh–13.26 lakh) and premium models like the Toyota Innova Hycross (₹19.09 lakh–31.34 lakh).