Cheaper Kia 7-seater SUV launched in South Africa – Pricing and features

Kia has added a new entry-level model to its Carens SUV series, which made its South African debut earlier this year.

The Carens is a seven-seater family SUV that launched back in May 2026 with four derivatives, all of which feature a diesel engine.

However, our sources at Duoporta Vehicle Information Specialists informed us that a new LS model has been added to the series with a petrol engine, which is noticeably cheaper than the previous base model – the LS diesel.

The new petrol LS has a price tag of R359,995, making it R40,000 cheaper than its diesel counterpart and lowering the starting price of the vehicle.

Engines

The newest member of the Carens family comes with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol block, which produces 84kW and 144Nm.

The petrol model is exclusively sold with a six-speed manual gearbox, which sends power to the front wheels, resulting in an average fuel consumption of 7.2l/100km.

In comparison, the other models use a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel mill with a higher output of 85kW and 250Nm.

These units also have a choice of either a manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, depending on the trim level, and a lower fuel consumption of 5.0l/100km.

Features

Kia’s new entry-level family SUV comes standard with 15-inch wheels, a full-size spare wheel, automatic headlights, central locking, all-electric windows, and electric side mirrors.

Inside, all seven seats are wrapped in a mix of cloth and artificial leather. You’ll also find a multifunction steering wheel, manual air conditioning, six speakers, a 4.2-inch driver display, and an 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Additionally, the Carens LS features ABS, stability control, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, six airbags, and ISOFIX child seat mounts in the second row.

Pricing

The South African pricing for the updated Kia Carens series is as follows:

• Kia Carens 1.5 LS – R359,995 (New)
• Kia Carens 1.5D LS – R399,995
• Kia Carens 1.5D LX – R459,995
• Kia Carens 1.5D EX – R499,995
• Kia Carens 1.5D SX – R599,995

Each purchase comes with a 5-year/unlimited-km warranty and a 3-year/45,000km service plan.

Kia Carens