Kia Carens: Which engine-gearbox combination to buy

Torn between choice of engine for Carens. While selecting the Sonet a year back, the choice was very clear since the 1.5L diesel TC was better than the 1.0L petrol DCT in every aspect.

BHPian headbanger recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Going to book Carens automatic top end variant in a week or so. Getting admin work done with the lease partner.

Torn between choice of engine for Carens. While selecting Sonet an year back for sis in law, the choice was very clear then. 1.5L diesel motor with TC was a better combo in every aspect compared to 1.0L petrol motor with DCT. But 1.4L petrol motor in Carens is in another class. Extremely refined and silent. Just elevates the experience in the car to another level. A small test drive today was enough to tell that this engine can stretch the legs.

I will be having a lengthy test drives on both petrol and diesel variants for Carens. The footfall in showrooms doesn't allow them to give test drives on demand. So I am collaborating with SA to book a slot where I can drive back to back both engines.

But would love to have advise from this extended family of TBHP. The choice of car and variant is final. The choice of engine and seating(6S vs 7S)is pending.

Following is a rough pattern on how car will be used:

1. Annual running of 15k-20k

2. 30:70 pattern for city: highway

3. Out on highway, 50% will be the time when car will have at least 4 adults and 1 kid. Rest it will have 2 adults and 1 kid. Once in a while, the car may get overloaded with extended family for runs less than 50km.

Already have Sonet and Seltos in extended family with diesel engines, I know how this 1.5L behaves. Gets a bit noisy after 50k but is extremely frugal. Infact, I went to book this one. But the smallish test drive of 1.4L DCT pulled my heart strings.

My family garage is all petrol. All Marutis.

My extended family garage is all diesel. Sonet, Seltos, Innova and Polo.

Looking forward to words of wisdom from the forum.

Here's what BHPian airbus had to say on the matter:

I took a test drive of diesel automatic yesterday. It was not a fun to drive engine. Previously, I took test drive of diesel manual, that was a bit better than the automatic. I will take a test drive of turbo petrol automatic in the near future. I have already driven NA petrol manual and did not like much.

Here's what BHPian swami had to say on the matter:

Choice is between what is more important - the fun of driving or mileage.

1.4 petrol is clearly more powerful, silent and smoother; while diesel is definitely far far more frugal. A classic heart vs mind.

Another consideration (it is in my family at least), is a degree of discomfort with diesel leading to aggravated motion sickness (not sure why but it does happen).
swami is online now.

Here's what BHPian NAVREVV had to say on the matter:

I was in the same boat as you are!! Choosing Petrol for its refinement and power vs choosing frugal Diesel engine with a TC and less spending on fuel. I chose latter, later.

Had initially booked 1.4 Turbo but later changed my booking to 1.5 Diesel AT. With the kind of running you quoted, I would advise you to go for Diesel. If Petrol bill is not what you are worried for and only looking for out and out performance, simply go for Petrol.

Petrol will return a mileage of 14-15 kmpl on highways. At best 16 kmpl. Also, do factor in DCT gearbox reliability.

Diesel will easily return a mileage of 20+ kmpl on highways with sedate driving. Good luck and do let us know what you book finally.

I test drove Diesel AT today again at Gurgaon and felt even Diesel is adequately powered and pulls really well.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.