Kia's New ICE Minivan Resembles a Crossover EV | Carscoops

      The new minivan, primarily targeted at the Indian market, is an upgraded Kia Carens with enhanced styling and premium features.

      Kia has released a teaser for the new Clavis minivan designed for India.

      The Clavis represents a refreshed version of the Kia Carens, showcasing styling inspired by electric vehicles.

      This new model is expected to be available with both gasoline and diesel engines.

      Kia’s expanding global lineup will soon introduce the Clavis in India on May 8, following the release of an official teaser. Although it bears a new name, the Clavis is fundamentally an upgraded version of the Carens, which is an economical, three-row minivan with crossover design elements.

      The official teaser provides a sneak peek of the Clavis’ LED lighting design, reminiscent of the Kia EV5, a fully electric crossover. The front design includes a slim grille, a robust skid plate, and integrated air intakes on the bumper, suggesting it could handle uneven surfaces in a shopping mall parking area.

      In terms of design, the Clavis closely resembles the Carens from the side, as the greenhouse and roof are nearly identical. However, the rear has seen some modifications, with taillights running the full width and appearing slimmer, while the bumper adopts a redesign that aligns more closely with Kia’s contemporary electric vehicles.

      As reported by Autocar India, the interior will largely be derived from the Carens, with only minor updates to trims. Expected features include ventilated seats, a double sunroof, ambient lighting, dual 10.25-inch displays, and wireless charging. The Kia Clavis is also anticipated to come equipped with an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suite, hinted at by the “collision warning” signal on the digital instrument cluster.

      Kia has not disclosed any technical specifications yet, but the Clavis will likely share the powertrain lineup with the Carens. The Carens comes with gasoline and diesel 1.5-liter engines that are not electrified, offering a choice between manual and automatic transmissions. All variants of the Kia Carens are front-wheel drive, so don’t expect all-wheel-drive features in the Clavis.

      Around a year ago, Kia confirmed plans for a fully electric model based on the Carens, expected to launch in India during the latter half of 2025, with possibilities for export to other markets. This model could potentially represent a zero-emission version of the Kia Clavis, supporting its futuristic design.

      Notably, the original Kia Carens, which debuted in India three years ago, will continue to be available alongside the new model, providing a more cost-effective option for those who don’t require the latest features.