Kia Carens CNG: Top 5 Things You Need To Know

Published: Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 10:15 [IST]

Kia has introduced its first-ever CNG-powered vehicle in India with the Carens MPV. The CNG kit is available exclusively on the Premium (O) variant and can be added as a dealer-level fitment. That said, here are the top 5 things about the Kia Carens CNG.

Price & Availability

The CNG kit is not a factory-fitted option but a dealer-installed upgrade, bringing the total cost of the Kia Carens Premium (O) CNG to Rs 11.76 lakh (approx, ex-showroom). This variant is aimed at budget-conscious families and fleet buyers looking for a more economical 7-seater alternative.

Powertrain Details

The Carens CNG uses the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 115hp in its standard petrol guise. However, when running on CNG, the output is expected to drop slightly, as is typical with bi-fuel engines.

The CNG system has been sourced from Lovato, a reputed third-party CNG kit manufacturer. Kia has yet to disclose the official power and mileage figures, since the kit is not factory-homologated.

Interestingly, Kia has chosen to go with a third-party CNG supplier, unlike its sister brand Hyundai, which offers factory-fitted twin-cylinder CNG systems on models like the Grand i10 Nios and Aura.

Warranty Coverage

The Lovato-supplied CNG kit comes with a 3-year/1,00,000 km third-party warranty. While this warranty does not fall under Kia's standard coverage, it provides additional peace of mind for customers opting for the conversion.

Variants & Features

The Carens Premium (O) is the only trim that gets the CNG option. Despite being the base variant, it comes fairly well equipped with:

8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Roof-mounted AC vents for second and third rows
One-touch electric tumble for second-row seats
Semi-leatherette upholstery
Keyless entry, electric ORVMs
shark-fin antenna
Rear-view camera

Safety is also comprehensive, with six airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, brake assist, vehicle stability management, downhill brake control, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS, ISOFIX mounts, and rear parking sensors. Furthermore, the Carens received a 3-star GNCAP safety rating, making it one of the safer MPVs in its segment.

Other Details

Kia currently sells both the Carens and the Carens Clavis (the facelifted version). The older Carens - now with the CNG option - is positioned as a fleet-friendly, affordable 7-seater, while the Clavis targets private buyers seeking a more premium MPV experience.

DriveSpark Thinks

Kia's choice to offer a Lovato third-party CNG kit instead of a factory system is likely driven by cost efficiency and faster rollout. It allows the brand to test market response before investing in dedicated CNG assembly lines - particularly as the CNG MPV segment continues to expand in India.