Kia India launches its first mainstream electric vehicle, the Carens Clavis EV, with prices starting at ₹17.99 lakh and going all the way up to ₹24.49 lakh (ex-showroom). With the extended battery, the seven-seater electric MPV provides a driving range of up to 490km and makes for the most affordable family electric vehicle in India.
Sale The Carens Clavis EV was released for sale on July 15, 2025, with customers able to book from July 22, 2025. Based on a modified version of Kia’s E-GMP platform, the electric MPV maintains the usual three-row versatility of its ICE counterpart albeit with zero-emission mobility.
Powertrain & Performance: Two Available Batteries
Kia Carens Clavis EV comes with two battery options to fitting a wide rang of customer needs. The standard 42kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides a 403km driving range to the 133bhp. The other model available, the Extended Range version, also gets a bigger 51.4kWh battery with 169bhp and 255Nm, which gives the headline 490km range.
Both editions are powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor that sends the drive to the front wheels via a single speed automatic transmission. It also supports 100kW DC fast charging and can be charged from 10-80% in 39 minutes and from AC it takes 4 hours for full charge.
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Driving Experience: Comfort Meets Performance
The Clavis EV is surprisingly nuanced on the road across its three driving modes. In eco mode acceleration is nice and linear and very close to what you’d expect in a regular ICE car without the noise and vibration. Just switch to Normal mode to sharpen throttle response for city driving and highway overtakes and/or Sport mode to transform this almost minivan cruiser into an eager performer.
The suspension is on the plianter side and the car’s not exactly shortchanged on ride height, being a little more off the ground than a standard Carens as well. It has 200mm of ground clearance which gives it the ideal grip on Indian roads, and yet does not compromise with the plush feel of the ride. The steering is, and feels, light and you don’t have to work very hard to place this voluminous seven-seater in and around the hustle and bustle of a big city.
Interior & Technology: Premium Features
And the cabin is a reflection of Kia’s dedication to premium family transport, featuring a 26.6-inch panoramic display comprised of dual 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and instrumentation. More than 90 available features via the Kia UVO app delivers vehicle smartphone integration and remote functionality.
Key comfort highlights include:
- Front seats with six-power adjust and ventilation feature
- Dual-zone auto climate control with rear AC vents
- Panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting
- Wireless charging pad with air purifier
- Second-row, one-touch tumble feature
Practicality isn’t offset by any storage lose with the addition of a 25-liter frunk to the traditional rear boot space.
Safety & ADAS: Level 2 Help
Level 2 ADAS features are offered as standard on all versions of the Carens Clavis EV. Safety features are extensive and include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, and blind spot warning. Parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system assist with low-speed maneuvering.
Six airbags, ESP and traction control, ABS with EBD and hill-hold assist are the basic safety features. The electric drivetrain is supported with an 8-year/1.6 lakh kilometer battery warranty from Kia which resolves issues about long-term ownership.
Market Positioning: Undercutting Premium EVs
With a starting price of ₹17.99 lakh for the base HTK Plus, the Carens Clavis EV is currently offering significant cost saving when compared to established electric SUVs such as the Tata Harrier EV (₹21.49 lakh) and the Mahindra XEV 9e (₹21.90 lakh). This competitive pricing is designed to bring electric mobility to customers who desire a more practical EV at this entry level price point, rather than disproportionately priced premium models from other manufacturers.
It’s a price that’s markedly cheaper when compared to the top-spec HTX Plus ER variant that’s priced at ₹24.49 lakh still, but considering the space and seating flexibility it continues to tread nicely against rivals without compromising too much on the features. The official bookings have begun from today across India, and with the Carens Clavis EV, Kia has planted its foot firmly forward in the journey of democratizing electric family transportation.