The Kia Clavis MPV is all set to roll out in India on May 23, 2025, and it’s already got family buyers talking. As of May 12, 2025, Kia India has confirmed the launch date, and this new MPV—based on the popular Carens—is stepping up as a more premium option for those who want a bit more style and tech in their family hauler. Bookings are already open, and there’s a lot to unpack about what this car brings to the table for middle-class families looking for space, safety, and modern features. Let’s dive into the details.
A Fresh Look That Stands Out
The Clavis MPV isn’t just a Carens with a new badge—it’s got a distinct vibe. Up front, you’ll notice a sharper face with triangular three-pod LED headlights and inverted L-shaped LED DRLs, giving it a modern, almost EV-like look inspired by Kia’s global models like the EV5. The grille is sealed off, paired with a rugged black bumper and a silver skid plate for that SUV-ish feel. From the side, it’s got new 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels with a star-inspired design, plus silver roof rails and black cladding around the wheel arches. The rear has connected LED taillights, a thicker light bar in the middle, and a reworked bumper with a silver insert. It’s around 4455 mm long, 1850 mm wide, and 1650 mm tall, with a 2755 mm wheelbase—big enough for a comfy family ride but still easy to park in tight city spots. Ground clearance is about 190 mm, good for speed bumps but might scrape on rough roads. At roughly 1400 kg, it’s manageable for city driving. You can pick from eight colors like Ivory Silver Gloss, Pewter Olive, and Aurora Black Pearl.
Engines That Keep Things Practical
The Clavis sticks with the same engine lineup as the Carens, which makes sense for keeping costs in check. You’ve got three options: a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol with 115 bhp and 144 Nm, a 1.5L turbo-petrol pushing 160 bhp and 253 Nm, and a 1.5L diesel with 115 bhp and 250 Nm. Transmission choices are plenty a 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual), 6-speed automatic, or a 7-speed DCT for the turbo-petrol. The turbo-petrol now gets a 6-speed manual option too, which wasn’t there in the standard Carens lineup. Mileage-wise, expect 16-18 kmpl in real-world use for the petrol and 20-22 kmpl for the diesel, so a 45L tank can take you 720-990 km per fill. It’s BS6 Phase 2-compliant, but some might find the naturally aspirated petrol a bit underpowered for highway runs, especially with a full load.
Rides Well for Family Needs
Built on the same platform as the Carens, the Clavis has front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam setup, tuned for comfort over city bumps. That 190 mm ground clearance handles urban roads fine, but don’t expect it to tackle rough terrain—it’s more of a city cruiser. Brakes are disc all around on higher trims, with ABS and EBD for safer stops, though base models might stick to rear drums. It rolls on 17-inch alloys with tubeless tyres, giving decent grip for family driving. Inside, it’s a 6- or 7-seater depending on the variant, with captain seats in the second row for the 6-seater HTX+ trim. The 2755 mm wheelbase gives good legroom, but the third row is best for kids on long trips. The seats are comfy with new upholstery, but some might find them a bit firm after a few hours.
Features That Feel Premium
The Clavis steps up the game with a dual 12.3-inch display setup one for the touchscreen infotainment and another for the driver’s cluster, borrowed from the Kia Syros. You get wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a 4-way powered driver seat, and a 360-degree camera for tight parking. There’s also dual-zone AC, a wireless charger, and a 9-speaker Bose sound system on top trims. Safety is a big focus with six airbags as standard, ISOFIX mounts, front and rear parking sensors, and a Level 2 ADAS suite that includes lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. Boot space is around 200L with all seats up, expandable to 540L with the third row down—not huge, but enough for a weekend trip. There’s no under-seat storage, which might be a hassle for daily use.
Keeps Running Costs Low
With 16-18 kmpl on petrol and 20-22 kmpl on diesel, the Clavis is decently fuel-efficient for an MPV. A 45L tank means you’re spending ₹4,500 per fill at ₹100/litre, giving you 720-990 km—saving you about ₹10,000 a year compared to a 15 kmpl car. That’s roughly ₹2.5-3 per km to run, which is great for family budgets. The BS6 Phase 2 engines keep emissions low, but heavy traffic might drop mileage to 14 kmpl on petrol, so plan your routes if you’re in a busy city like Mumbai or Delhi.
Price and Where to Find It
The Clavis starts at an expected ₹11 lakh ex-showroom, going up to ₹22 lakh for the top HTX+ trim. On-road in Delhi, that’s about ₹12 lakh to ₹24 lakh. EMIs can start at ₹20,000/month with a ₹1 lakh down payment at 9% interest for 3 years. It comes in seven variants—HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK+, HTK+(O), HTX, and HTX+—with 6- or 7-seat options. Bookings are open for ₹25,000 at Kia dealerships across India, like in Bangalore or Kolkata, or online via Kia’s website. Deliveries should start shortly after the May 23 launch, though some cities might see a 15-30 day wait. Festive deals later in 2025 might include ₹20,000 off—check with local dealers.
Cars It Competes With
The Clavis takes on:
Maruti Ertiga (₹8.97 lakh): 19 kmpl, cheaper but less tech.
Toyota Rumion (₹10.54 lakh): 20 kmpl, reliable but basic features.
Toyota Innova Hycross (₹19.09 lakh): 23 kmpl, more premium but pricier.
The Clavis’s ADAS and premium features give it an edge over the Ertiga, but the Innova Hycross offers better refinement at a higher cost.
What You Should Know Before Buying
The Clavis’s ₹11 lakh starting price is competitive, but it’s pricier than the Carens at ₹10.60 lakh, which might be enough if you don’t need the extra tech. At 1400 kg, it’s easy to handle, but the 190 mm ground clearance might scrape on rough roads outside cities. Mileage might drop to 14 kmpl in heavy traffic. It’s a 6- or 7-seater, but the third row is tight for adults, and the 200L boot isn’t great for big trips. The ADAS suite is a big plus, but some might find the cabin a bit noisy at high speeds, a complaint with the Carens too. Kia’s service network is growing, but some folks with other Kia models mention delays in parts and average support in smaller towns—check your local dealer’s reputation.
Who This MPV Is For
The Kia Clavis is for families, small business owners, and city drivers who want a premium 6- or 7-seater with 16-22 kmpl mileage and features like ADAS, a panoramic sunroof, and a big touchscreen. Its size and safety make it great for urban family trips, while the diesel option suits longer commutes. It’s not for those needing huge boot space, a super quiet cabin, or off-road capability.
Disclaimer: Specs and prices are based on recent reports as of May 2025. Check with Kia dealers for the latest details.
FAQs About Kia Clavis MPV 2025
What’s the engine like?
A 1.5L petrol with 115 bhp, a 1.5L turbo-petrol with 160 bhp, or a 1.5L diesel with 115 bhp, paired with a 6-speed manual, iMT, automatic, or 7-speed DCT.
How’s the mileage?
Around 16-18 kmpl on petrol, 20-22 kmpl on diesel in real use, so 720-990 km on a 45L tank.
What’s the price range?
Starts at ₹11 lakh, goes up to ₹22 lakh ex-showroom, around ₹12 lakh to ₹24 lakh on-road in Delhi.
What safety stuff does it have?
Six airbags, ABS with EBD, 360-degree camera, and Level 2 ADAS with lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
What features stand out?
Dual 12.3-inch screens, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, wireless Android Auto, and a 9-speaker Bose system.
Good for family trips?
Yes, spacious for 6 or 7 with strong safety, but the 200L boot is small for big luggage.
How’s it versus the Maruti Ertiga?
Clavis’s 16-18 kmpl is less than Ertiga’s 19 kmpl, but it has more tech like ADAS and starts at ₹11 lakh versus Ertiga’s ₹8.97 lakh.
