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In a market saturated with electric SUVs, the Kia Carens Clavis EV seems like a breath of fresh air. While most EVs are focusing on power, performance, range, and some even on offroad fun, this Kia is targeting a family that travels together.

I drove this India’s first massmarket EV with seven seats, which comes with 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh battery options.

How’s the design?

It’s somewhat similar to the Carens Clavis ICE (petrol and diesel), but there are subtle differences – the EV has a closed grille, different alloy wheels, ‘EV’ badging, and air flaps for low drag. The cabin has a centre console with a ‘floating design’, the gear lever has been shifted behind the steering wheel (as a stalk), the instrument cluster has EVspecific information such as range/charge etc, the paddle shifters are for adjusting regeneration levels, and there is small frunk (front trunk) under the bonnet.

How’s the cabin?

It’s quite practical – the secondrow seats can slide/recline, and there is a onetouch electric tumble for easy thirdrow access. The ‘Boss mode’ lets you move the front passenger seat from the rear. The third row can accommodate averagesized adults, and the flat floor ensures comfort.

How does it drive?

My test unit was the 51.4kWh model, which Kia believes will form majority of sales.

The driver’s seating position is good, with a commanding view of the road. The gear stalk needs to be flicked to go from P to N to R. I found it tricky, but after a day of driving I got used to it.

Because the floor has the battery pack, the seating position is high. The suspension feels a bit stiff (for the extra battery weight), and on broken roads the ride feels a bit harsh. On smooth roads, it’s really quiet. Throttle response is different in Eco, Normal, and Sport modes. In the Sport mode, the Carens Clavis EV is really fast – from 0100 km/h in just 8.4 seconds, and from any speed to any speed in the blink of an eye.

Rearseat comfort is good, and the legroom seems much better than in the Creta Electric, with which it shares platform and battery packs.

What’s the iPedal?

I drove the Carens Clavis EV in Bengaluru traffic and nearby areas for an entire day without using the brake pedal at all.

How?

It’s got a technology is called iPedal. You need to set the regenerative braking to the maximum level using pedal shifters behind the steering wheel (and the maximum level is the iPedal). Then, as you take your foot off the accelerator, the car decelerates extremely quickly, almost mimicking the conventional braking action. In stopandgo traffic, it means you won’t have to use the brake pedal at all. But on highways, you can select zero regeneration for maximum range.

What’s the true range?

While Kia claims a range of 490 km, my test car showed a real range of 384 km, which isn’t good enough for long intercity travels, but with good planning a family can do Delhi to Jaipur/Agra/Chandigarh route, or a Mumbai to Nashik/Pune routes.

Should you buy it?

The 42kWh variant is priced Rs 17.9920.49 lakh, and the 51.4kWh variant costs Rs 22.4924.49 lakh. It’s in similar range as the Creta Electric, but the Kia has far more space, slightly longer range, faster charging, and sevenseat versatility.

Other competitors are BYD eMax 7 (a 6/7seater MPV priced Rs 26.929.9 lakh, but with bigger battery options of 55.4 kWh and 71.8 kWh), Tata Harrier EV (a fiveseater SUV priced Rs 21.4930.23 lakh), Tata Curvv EV (a fiveseater crossover priced Rs 17.4922.24 lakh), MG Windsor (a fiveseater car priced Rs 1416.3 lakh), and MG Windsor Pro (Rs 17.49 lakh onwards).

But the sevenseat practicality of the Carens Clavis EV is priceless.

Is it better than Creta Electric?

The Carens Clavis EV and the Creta Electric share platform and battery, but appeal to different types of buyers.

– The Clavis EV is a 7seater MPV with three rows of seating, but the Creta Electric is a 5seater SUV with two rows of seating.

– The Creta Electric has a larger boot space with all seats in use.

– The Clavis EV is taller and longer, giving it a more commanding road presence.

– The Clavis EV has a longer range, 490 km, compared to the Creta Electric’s 473 km.

– The Clavis EV has a faster DC charging capability (100 kW) compared to the Creta Electric (50 kW).

– The Clavis EV gets a larger dualscreen setup (12.25 inches each) compared to the Creta Electric (10.25 inches each).