2025 Kia Clavis review, first drive - the most sensible Rs 20 lakh car?

Kia India has been quite smart in how it has carved out a presence for itself in the MPV segment. The Carnival has its takers in the premium end while the Syros is an innovative take on this concept. But it has been the Carens that has been the mainstay of the Kia MPV range. But with it being around since 2022, the time was ripe for an update, which is where the Kia Carens Clavis comes in.

2025 Kia Clavis styling, boot, dimensions

This being a mid-cycle update, the Carens Clavis is dimensionally similar to the previous model. The new face has brought with it a 20mm increase in length, and now brings the Clavis in line with Kia's newest design themes. You have the new angular light signature and triangular light clusters. These are placed in a more sharply defined fascia with the blank sculpted look and the large airdam below. The discreet integration of the ADAS sensors in the top-spec trim is great attention to detail.

Like with other Kia models, numerous light cluster arrangements are available, as seen with the single projector setup in the HTK Plus variant. These also get slightly different airdams and light signatures.

In profile, the more noteworthy change is that the top-spec versions of the Clavis get sharper looking 17-inch wheels. Aside from these, you now have a more contemporary selection of contrasting trims and a D-pillar element to bring a more proportionate look. Lesser variants continue with 16-inch wheels.

At the rear, the Clavis now gets a similar look as the Sonet and Seltos, with the full-width lighting and vertically stacked, slatted look to the lighting. Here too, the lower variants have retained a similar arrangement convincingly but with halogens. As with the front, the bumpers at the rear have been reworked to fit the new design.

Expectedly, the luggage space has seen no change with this update. You still get a sizeable 216 litres with all rows up. With the large opening, low load lip, and flat edges of the boot, this space holds quite a bit. So it can fit a couple of strollers and some more soft bags quite easily. With the third row folded flat, the space grows to 645 litres and further to 1,145 litres with the second row folded.

2025 Kia Clavis interiors, space, features - HTX Plus, HTK Plus

The most significant change on the inside of the Clavis is the new dash design that puts it in line with cars like the Carnival. You now have a more modern floating screen setup with the two 12.3-inch units while the dash face also feels more plush. This is down to the new fabric inserts on the sculpted section in front of the passenger and the silver trim that accents the slim, hefty air vent controls.

Another addition that adds a more upmarket feel is the new Kia steering wheel. Its squarish shape is quite nice to hold but the tactile buttons and scrollers feel of a high quality. You have the dual-purpose climate and audio panel being introduced here too. Yes, you get tactile knobs for the important functions but the touch panels are still not the easiest to use on the move. A few small changes like a new set of door latches and seat upholstery round off the changes.

While you now have a fully digital instrument cluster in the top variants, which is intuitive to use and has crisp graphics like in other Kia cars, we wish the Clavis got the latest iteration of Kia's infotainment suite as seen in the Syros and Carnival. Yes, this unit is still easy to use and is fluid enough but the newer system builds on this and offers wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay while you continue with a wired connection here.

We also spent some time in the mid-spec HTK Plus trim, which could be a great value choice if you aren't moved by top-tier equipment. It doesn't feel bare-bones, yes you have a smaller 8-inch touchscreen but this unit offers wireless connectivity. There are more physical controls here, especially the easier to use climate functions. You don't have as many of the high-quality finishes but the fabric upholstery and grey trim looks contemporary and feels premium enough.

Either way, you still get that innovative space management that we liked when we first drove the Carens. So the centre console has an open layered feel with some well-placed switches for the drive modes, 360-degree camera, and ventilated seats. This and the new electronic parking brake frees space for a convenient wireless charging pad, well-placed cooled cup holders, and a deep, layered storage bin. There are numerous charging options and large door pockets that will hold a couple of 1-litre bottles easily.

But for many, the rear seat will be the space that draws them to the Clavis the most. The Carens' interior space management continues to be impressive. At 2,780mm, the wheelbase is 170mm more than the Seltos and 20mm more than even the Alcazar. This, along with the large square windows and now a panoramic sunroof, makes for quite a breezy space inside. As before, there's a great deal of knee and legroom, which you can extract more of now quite easily with the boss mode function. You don't get ottomans with the captain seat version, which would have helped aid the slight lack in thigh support but these chairs are supportive and fairly well bolstered, although more helpful is the recline function.

Despite the panoramic sunroof, headroom is still good. You continue to get a rear blower control, sunshades, and charging ports, but we think ventilated seats could have been offered. The roof-mounted air vents are a bit better placed in the sunroof-equipped variants now, although the diffused air function has been lost.

The 7-seater bench option is similar with its legroom but in other respects it betters the captain seats. You have better thigh support here and the space is wide enough to seat three relatively easily. In lesser variants you have most of the creature comforts still in fact and versions without the sunroof give you a few inches more headroom.

While the second row of the Clavis is compelling, it's the third row that leaves a greater impression. Unlike many other cars of a similar footprint, this space is genuinely usable for adults. Access is simple with the tumble-fold seat and large door opening. The wheel arch doesn't intrude so entering is easy. Once inside, there's enough space for your feet and just enough room for shorter adults. As with these arrangements, you don't have much in the way of thigh support but you don't sit especially crouched either. The reclining function, air vents, and USB chargers help with making this space functional as does the airy feeling with the large quarter glass and fairly high roof.

2025 Kia Clavis driving impressions - 1.5 turbo DCT

The Clavis gets the same engine and gearbox combinations as before. So the base 115PS/144 Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol continues as does the 1.5-turbo with its 160PS and 253 Nm. The higher-spec motor continues with the six-speed iMT and a 7DCT, as seen here, along with a newly added manual option.

Driving the DCT-equipped version, the great visibility is what you notice first. The large windscreen and glass area makes placing this car in traffic easy, helped further by the newly added 360-degree cameras. The seating position is fairly high too, like an SUV. Kia says work has been done to improve NVH over the last model and this seems to have helped. The Clavis controls wind and tyre noise well at high speeds.

On the move, this motor is quite straightforward, as in its other applications. The gearbox pairs intuitively with it and you can make steady progress easily in most situations. Except for in low speed scenarios, where the turbo hasn't fully hit its stride yet. Here you do find the experience to be a bit hesitant, which may be compounded with a full load of passengers. Unlike in the Seltos, you don't have a Sport gearbox mode to rush things, so you will have to be patient.

But once the turbo Clavis hits its stride, it has that steady, alert mid-range performance that'll remind you of a family SUV. You can cruise easily at triple-digit speeds and also make manoeuvres without a lot of planning. The gearbox still takes a moment to give you the shift you want, but it's sharp enough for most needs.

Kia has also retuned the steering and suspension. So despite this particular car running the larger 17-inch wheels, the Clavis is a largely comfortable car. Sure, some of the heavier jolts over cratered roads and sharp speed bumps do filter into the cabin, but this firm edge doesn't show up in most other situations. Although, on a high-speed cruise over uneven surfaces you do need to add corrective steering that can be inconvenient at times.

The changes to the suspension tune and the larger wheels make the Clavis fairly car-like around winding roads, which many owners will like. There is a predictable sense to the Clavis that makes things easy, you find that it leans progressively and there is a measured sense to the car's motions. The steering has more lock than the average SUV which helps in traffic, but it also doesn't make things laboured in faster driving.

2025 Kia Clavis driving impressions - 1.5 diesel AT

But we think the 1.5-litre diesel with its 116PS and 250 Nm could be the best pairing for the Clavis' family moving brief. You can have this engine with a manual on quite a few trims, but the 6-speed auto is limited to a single mid-spec trim sadly.

The diesel Clavis is immediately a bit easier to get off the line with its greater swell of low-end torque. It doesn't build speed quite as energetically as the turbo but there is a measured confident sense to it that makes long-distance driving easier. The gearbox may not be as responsive as the DCT but it fully uses the torque at hand to make the diesel Clavis feel like it has a good deal of torque at hand to cover most situations. Like the petrol, you do find that shifts can take a bit longer than expected but you don't notice it as much once you are up and running.

With the heavier nose and skinnier 16-inch wheels, the diesel isn't quite as composed as the turbo around bends. You have to be more conscious of your speed since movements here are a touch less steady. The engine too needs more time to react which makes for a less fluid experience.

That being said, the thicker rubber and added heft lets the diesel Clavis deal with broken surfaces more comfortably. More of the harsh knocks are kept out and you still have a solid feel, so you can carry a bit more speed over these surfaces. It's more comfortable inside with the car staying more composed over these surfaces. The diesel Clavis also seems to be a touch more confident over the undulating highway stretches we mentioned earlier.

2025 Kia Clavis features, safety

There are quite a few new features that the Clavis gets over the Carens. The most notable are the panoramic sunroof, digital instrumentation, partly powered driver's seat, and wireless charging. Otherwise, you have LED lighting, ambient lighting, the larger touchscreen, ventilated seats, Bose audio, auto headlamps and wipers, leather upholstery, and a rear blower.

You have six airbags as standard, but the new safety additions are ADAS and a 360-degree camera.

2025 Kia Clavis verdict, expected price

The Kia Carens Clavis seems to take over from where the Carens left off. It may not still have the top-tier tech of the Seltos, but makes up for it with a competent list of features. The petrol version is a great family car for every situation while the diesel ticks most of the boxes you might want to check with a car you will spend long distances in. As before, the great practicality and space is probably, difficult to find in this footprint and price range, will be the main reason you will be drawn to the Clavis.