The three-row electric MPV segment in India has seen a bloodbath with Kia’s Carens Clavis EV launched at ₹17.99 lakh–almost ₹9 lakh cheaper than the eMax 7 that starts at ₹26.90 lakh. This pricing offensive will establish Kia as the more affordable alternative for families who want to drive electric.
Kia India unveiled the Carens Clavis EV on 15 July 2025, where it is its first mass-market electric vehicle and booking will start from 22nd July. The Korean carmaker will have two battery capacity offerings and four models, the direct rival with BYD’s monopoly position in the premium electric MPV market.
Price Comparison: Kia Takes The Lead
The difference in price for these two MPVs discloses individual market positioning:
| Kia Carens Clavis EV | Price | BYD eMax 7 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTK Plus (42 kWh) | ₹17.99 lakh | Premium 6-seater (55.4 kWh) | ₹26.90 lakh |
| HTX (42 kWh) | ₹20.49 lakh | Premium 7-seater (55.4 kWh) | ₹27.50 lakh |
| HTX ER (51.4 kWh) | ₹22.49 lakh | Excellent 6-seater (71.8 kWh) | ₹29.30 lakh |
| HTX Plus ER (51.4 kWh) | ₹24.49 lakh | Superior 7-seater (71.8 kWh) | ₹29.90 lakh |
Kia’s top-end model is priced ₹5.41 lakh less than BYD’s entry-level model Premium. This value-for-money pricing makes the Carens Clavis EV the budget choice in today’s growing electric MPV segment.
Range And Performance: BYD Pulls A Little Ahead
eMax 7 offers impressive range numbers, courtesy of larger battery options in the BYD. NEDC-cycle testing range is 420 km for the Premium version and 530 km for Superior. The numbers are well above Kia’s makes.
With its 42 kW battery the Kia Carens Clavis EV offers 404 km of range, rising to 490 km with the more extensive range 51.4 kWh Extended Range. Although Kia’s range numbers are more conservative, its charging abilities and times are the same as BYD with 100 kW chargers supporting 10-80% DC fast charging in 39 minutes.
Power Output Comparison
Performance specs betray the BYD’s upper hand transmitted power-wise:
- BYD eMax 7:
- 161 bhp – 310 Nm (premium version)
- 201 bhp – 310 Nm (superior version)
- Kia Carens Clavis EV:
- Standard Range: 133 bhp
- Extended Range: 169 bhp
- Both produce 255 Nm torque
The BYD’s Superior can sprint 0-100 kmph in 8.6 seconds, while the Premium variant does the same in 10.1 seconds. Kia has not released official acceleration numbers for the Carens Clavis EV.
Battery Technology: Different Approaches
The BYD eMax 7 is equipped with BYD’s self-developed Blade Battery in two versions, with a capacity of 55.4 kWh and 71.8 kWh. This lithium iron phosphate technology ensures the battery is inherently safe and thermally stable providing BYD’s decades of battery innovation.
Kia Carens Clavis EV uses regular 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh lithium-ion NMC battery packs. They also have shorter range but fast DC charging and known reliability.
Read also: New Kia Carens Clavis EV Price Revealed Across Four Variants
Feature Comparison: Tech-Forward Approaches
Here, we present you with two MPVs with a focus on tech-savvy families:
Standout features of the BYD eMax 7 include:
- 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system
- Fixed panoramic glass roof
- V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) technology
- Six airbags across all variants
- 360-degree parking camera as well as ADAS suite
Kia Carens Clavis EV offers:
- A pair of 12.3-inch displays for infotainment and instrument cluster
- Dual-pane panoramic sunroof
- ADAS Level 2.0 functionality
- Ventilated front seats
- Air purifier with wireless charging
Market Positioning: Except There’s A Catch
The BYD eMax 7 is sort of a high end version with more range and performance which according to the manufacturer justifies the difference in price. But it’s in the price that the upstart EV might suffer against bargain hunters in search of electrified transportation.
Kia Carens Clavis EV wants to make mass-market impact with attractive prices, and also fast-track EV adoption in Indian households. The traditional service network and good reputation for reliability of the Korean brand are further advantages over the Chinese competitor.
Although there are some differences, since both are seven-passenger vehicles and share a similar complement of charging infrastructure, budget concerns versus driving range requirement would be the deciding factor. The below-entry price of Carens Clavis EV may democratize electric MPV ownership and the better specs of eMax 7 may still cater more to a performance-focused buyer.