Category: Compact MPV 
Price Range: £11,495 to £16,495
Price, improved refinement and equipment, a thoroughly decent all-rounder.
Still not quite as sophisticated as some rivals.
Compact MPVs are never going to be trendy style statements, so you might as well buy one that gives good value, whatever its badge.
Kia's Carens, first launched in the UK in 2001, looked like a bargain alternative to the popular Renault Scenic, Citroen Xsara Picasso and so on - but that early version had a number of design flaws that meant it wasn't nearly as multi-purpose and practical as it should have been. But Kia has taken note of all the criticisms, gone back to its engineers and cabin designers, and come back with a new version that really does do what it should. Add in much-improved refinement, a diesel engine, improved cabin quality, an upgraded specification and rear seats which actually split and fold (a notable omission in the first-generation car) and the Carens really is an attractive proposition - at a very competitive price. The only downside is that it now only comes in five-seat form, the six-seat option having been dropped.
Kia has great plans to increase its sales in the UK and Europe, and the new Carens builds on the success so far of the larger Sedona MPV and the acclaim awarded to the Sorento 4x4. On the evidence of these new models, the Korean company is beginning to understand what European motorists want, and deserves to win over many customers from the more expensive Japanese and European brands. The introduction of diesel engines should play a large part in this product offensive: the Carens now comes with Kia's 2.0-litre, 112 bhp unit, as well as an improved version of the old Mazda-derived 1.8-litre petrol. More choice is a key element: it comes also in either manual or automatic form, even with the diesel engine, and it is considerably better-equipped than before. All this, and prices have remained unchanged.
