While choosing the best family car, one of the wisest and value-for-money vehicles available in the Indian MPV segment is the Kia Carens. Right from the day it was launched, Carens has been leaving everyone stunned with its features, good ground clearance, and range of variants. But one of the most common questions for possible customers remains: Should you take the petrol or diesel model of the Kia Carens?
In this end-to-end comparison, we would take a glance at the pros and cons of all the fuel types, compare its performance, mileage, servicing and ownership cost so that you would know which Kia Carens variant would be suitable for your use.
Overview of Kia Carens
Let us first look at what Kia Carens offers. This three-row MPV is available in both 6-seater and 7-seater formats and is designed to meet the family needs of comfort, safety, and usability. The Carens is available in three engine options:
1.5L NA Petrol (Smartstream) – 115 PS / 144 Nm (with 6-speed manual)
1.5L Turbo Petrol (GDi) – 160 PS / 253 Nm (with 6-speed iMT and 7-speed DCT)
1.5L Diesel (CRDi) – 116 PS / 250 Nm (paired with 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic)
For the purpose of this article, we’ll compare the naturally aspirated and turbo petrol variants with the diesel variant to see which one offers the best value.
Performance Comparison
Petrol
The 1.5L NA petrol engine is very smooth and silky and will come in just nicely for urban drives. Yes, it does seem a bit underpowered at high speeds in relation to the car’s loaded weight-carrying capacity. For that added adrenaline, however, then you’ve got your choice with the 1.5L turbo petrol. This is well-behaved, does accelerate quite well, and does so very readily under city and highway driving, particularly if you opt to couple it with the DCT transmission.
Diesel
The 1.5L diesel is less aggressive than the turbo petrol off the blocks but has a flat torque curve that renders high-way cruising and overtaking a cakewalk. It is ideally designed for high-way cruising and for customers with additional passengers or payload.
Verdict: For spirited performance and city driving most of the time, go for the turbo petrol. For fuel efficiency and highway cruising at high speeds for long periods, the diesel is the best bet here.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is the first priority among Indian buyers, and Kia Carens mileage efficiency makes it a smart choice in the MPV segment. What the figures do:
1.5L NA Petrol: ~16.2 km/l (claimed)
1.5L Turbo Petrol DCT: ~17.9 km/l (claimed)
1.5L Diesel Manual: ~21.3 km/l (claimed)
1.5L Diesel AT: ~19.1 km/l (claimed)
Real-world mileage will vary depending on use, but diesel will always have greater mileage, especially on the highways.
Verdict: Diesel one is the clear winner on fuel efficiency front.
Maintenance and Ownership Costs
Petrol engines are more cost-effective in the long run and less likely to fail than diesel. Petrol fuel is similarly slightly less expensive in most rural areas, though the mileage deficit has a way of rendering this hypothetical. Diesel
Diesel engines work more and the components like injectors and turbochargers are expensive too at times. Diesel engines are even rumored to be good and long lasting, especially for high-mileage owners.
Verdict: With less than 12,000 km of driving per year, petrol is a worthwhile purchase. For heavy usage, the fuel efficiency benefit of diesel clearly makes up for the additional maintenance.
Driving Comfort and NVH Levels
The Kia Carens is satisfactory in terms of cabin comfort in all variants. However, as a comparison with NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness):
Petrol versions are quieter and smoother, especially when idling and cruising at low speeds.
Diesel variants are noisier, but especially evident when hard accelerating.
Surely that won’t stop Kia from using a relatively quiet cabin filter that nicely suppresses the engine sound from entering the cabin.
Verdict: On the road, for less noise and improved drive, petrol is the way to go.
Price Difference
Kia Carens diesel variants are usually ₹1.3 to ₹1.8 lakh pricier than their petrol equivalent. For example:
Petrol 1.5 NA Premium MT: Around ₹10.59 lakh (ex-showroom)
Diesel 1.5 CRDi Premium MT: Around ₹11.75 lakh (ex-showroom)
Though the premium is justified in the form of increased mileage and torque, you cannot break even unless you use the car heavily.
Verdict: Budget buyers would opt for petrol variants on launch occasion.
Environmental Factors
With tighter emissions control, petrol engines benefit slightly with reduced NOx and particulate emissions. Diesel cars are sought after too in urban cities under conditions like 10-year-old permit limit city driving like Delhi.
Verdict: Petrol is future-proof, especially for city drivers.
Which One to Buy?
Buy Kia Carens Petrol if:
You drive primarily in the city.
Your run per month is below 1,000 km.
You prefer lesser wear and tear.
You wish to retain the car for less than 7–8 years.
Select Kia Carens Diesel if:
You cover a lot of kilometres or on highways often.
Your monthly run is over 1,000–1,200 km.
You wish for improved fuel efficiency in the long run.
You wish to retain the car for over 8–10 years.
Last Thoughts
The Kia Carens is a great MPV regardless of whether you opt for a petrol or diesel engine. It is roomy, well-equipped, and fuel-efficient. Finally, whether you opt for petrol or diesel will be a function of your driving habits, the price of fuel in your region, and how many years you’ll be keeping the car. For city dwellers who commute moderate to little mileage, the petrol variant Kia Carens is prudent. For highway rats and road-runners, the diesel engine pays off the premium you’ll pay upfront with long-term dividends. You either purchase the identical variant or otherwise, Kia Carens promises to provide your whole lot of people a silky, trouble-free, and style-charged journey.
