CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.5 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 22.6%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 4.2 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 50
Average Price: Around £9,000

Kia Carens (2013-2019) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Practical seven-seat interior	Dull to drive compared with a Ford Grand C-Max
Lots of standard equipment	Not as well finished as a Volkswagen Touran
Improved infotainment after 2016 facelift	Lacklustre petrol engine

Quick Summary

The Kia Carens (2013-2019) is a seven-seat people carrier that delivers practical family motoring at an affordable price. Sold in the UK with Kia's market-leading seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, it established itself as a reliable and stress-free ownership proposition. The third-generation model boasts a sleeker exterior than its predecessor and an immensely versatile interior with three individual middle-row seats and two individually folding third-row seats. With a 492-litre boot when the rear seats are folded, generous storage points throughout the cabin, and a durable interior, the Carens prioritises practicality and flexibility over driving dynamics.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine produces 133bhp, whilst the 1.7-litre CRDi diesel offers 114bhp or 134bhp options, with the latter providing superior performance and mid-range torque. Most examples feature a six-speed manual gearbox, though a six-speed automatic and later seven-speed dual-clutch transmission are available. The 2016 facelift introduced updated infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Running costs are reasonable, with the diesel achieving 45-50mpg and the petrol around 35mpg. All engines use a timing chain rather than a belt, reducing long-term maintenance costs. As a used buy, the Carens offers excellent value, strong reliability, and comprehensive equipment levels.

Best for: Families prioritising space, practicality, and reliability over driving dynamics, and those seeking affordable seven-seat motoring with low running costs.

Not ideal for: Buyers seeking engaging handling, premium interior finishes comparable to a Volkswagen Touran, or those requiring a more powerful petrol engine.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the Carens if: You're a family prioritising space, practicality, and reliability over driving dynamics, or seeking affordable seven-seat motoring with low running costs.

Consider alternatives if: You desire engaging handling, premium interior finishes comparable to a Volkswagen Touran, or require a more powerful petrol engine.

Competitive Position: The Kia Carens (2013-2019) is a strong contender in the used seven-seat MPV market, offering excellent value and practicality. Whilst it trails rivals like the Volkswagen Touran and Vauxhall Zafira Tourer for interior quality and the Ford C-Max for driving dynamics, its affordability, strong reliability record, comprehensive equipment levels, and low running costs make it an exceptionally sensible choice for budget-conscious families. The Carens delivers everything a good MPV should: safety, flexibility, equipment, and dependability.

Read our full Kia Carens Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.