The Carens MPV, which turns four years old today, accounts for a 27% share of Kia India’s sales of 10,43,126 utility vehiclessold since February 2022. The launch of the new Clavis and Clavis EV siblings has accelerated demandand the Carens brand is well set to clock record sales of over 75,000 units in FY2026.
15 Feb 2026 | 1 Views | By Ajit Dalvi
The Carens, Kia India’s premium MPV launched on February 15, 2022, turns four years old today. As per SIAM wholesales data, the Kia Carens has sold a total of 277,236 units in the domestic market and over 30,000 units have been exported.
In Kia India’s seven-model portfolio, the Carens ...
This is an Autocar Pro Plus article. Subscribe to continue reading.
The Carens, Kia India’s premium MPV launched on February 15, 2022, turns four years old today. As per SIAM wholesales data, the Kia Carens has sold a total of 277,236 units in the domestic market and over 30,000 units have been exported.
In Kia India’s seven-model portfolio, the Carens is the third highest-selling vehicle after the Seltos midsize SUV (602,390 units) and the Sonet compact SUV (505,246 units). In fact, after the current fiscal’s first 10 months, the Carens with 66,454 units (up 24% YoY, April 2024-January 2025: 53,779 units) is ranked No. 2 after the Sonet (93,380 units) and is ahead of the Seltos (62,398 units).
In September 2025, the Carens surpassed the 250,000 sales mark. While the first 100,000 sales took 17 months, the next 100,000 units were sold in 20 months. The 200,000 milestone came up in February 2025, news which Autocar Professional broke and confirmed by Kia India with an official press release. Given the fresh momentum coming from the new Carens Clavis and its zero-emission avatar, the Carens Clavis EV, it can be surmised that the 300,000 domestic sales milestone will be achieved by May or June 2026.
In FY2026’s first 10 months, the Carens (66,454 units) is Kia India’s second best-selling model after the Sonet (93,380 units) and is ahead of the Seltos (62,398 units). It is set to clock record sales of 75,000 units in FY2026.
As per the wholesales data table (given above), FY2023 with 70,314 units was the Carens’ best fiscal, accounting for 26% of Kia India’s total sales of 269,229 vehicles. FY2024’s 63,167 units were down 10% YoY and the 64,609 units sold in FY2025 were up just 2% YoY. However, the current fiscal paints a very different and stronger growth story for the Carens brand.
Cumulative 10-month wholesales of 66,454 units in FY2026 YTD have increased strongly by 24% YoY (April 2024-January 2025: 53,779 units) with the Carens, Carens Clavis and Clavis EV accounting for 29% of Kia India’s 232,312 units, more than the Seltos but the No. 2 model after the Sonet.
NEW CARENS CLAVIS AND CLAVIS EV BRING IN THE NUMBERS
The strong growth trajectory for the Carens model per se in the current fiscal year can be attributed to the launch of the new Carens Clavis MPV, a more upmarket sibling of the popular Carens with more six- and seven-seater options, in May 2025. Two months later, Kia India upped the ante by introducing the mass-market Carens Clavis EV-MPV, the electric avatar of the Carens Clavis. Kia’s EV portfolio also contains the EV6 and EV9, which are imported as CBUs into the country and, as a result, are far more expensive than the made-in-India Carens Clavis EV.
A handsome market and customer response to both these two new models has given a new charge to the Carens in the competitive MPV market and took it to No. 3 position in the Top 10 MPVs in H1 FY2026, with a fair portion of the credit going to the recently launched zero-emission avatar.
The Carens Clavis EV can be credited with helping Kia India retail a record 2,731 EVs in CY2025, up 558% YoY (CY2024: 415 units) and increase its e-PV market share to 1.54% from 0.41% in CY2024. This also enabled the company to rise three ranks to No. 7 amongst the 17 e-PV OEMs last year.
Given that there are two well-entrenched rivals – the Maruti Ertiga and the Toyota Innova Crysta / Innova Hycross – in the ultra-competitive MPV market, this performance is noteworthy. In FY2026 YTD, with 66,454 units, the Carens is currentlyIndia’s third best-selling MPV and the No. 16model in the Top 20 utility vehicles ranking.
CARENS’ SHARE OF KIA INDIA SALES SINCE LAUNCH: 27%
Kia India has successfully positioned the Carens as a premium six- / seven-seater recreational vehicle with a blend of modern styling and features, and offered with six airbags as standard. The high-on-space and comfort Carens is targeted at large families scouting for a premium, spacious cabin as well as day-to-day practicality, and a choice of multiple powertrains including electric now.
The second MPV which Kia launched in India after the Carnival (which has recently been re-introduced), the Carens with 277,236 units has contributed 27% of Kia India’s total cumulative sales of 10,43,126 utility vehicles since February 2022 since the premium MPV was launched.
Given the 66,354 units sold and strong 24% YoY growth that the Carens is witnessing in the current fiscal, it is set to register its best-ever fiscal year sales. With February and March wholesales still to be factored in, the Carens-Clavis-Clavis EV combine is currently just 3,860 units away from going past its FY2023 total of 70,314 units. Expect the Kia MPV to end FY2026 with record wholesales of around 77,500 units in the domestic market.
ALSO READ:Kia Seltos Sells 600,000 Units in India, Second-Gen Model off to a Good Start
Kia India Share of Global Sales at Highest Level in CY2025: 9%