In-depth reviews

Kia Carens MPV (2013-2019) - Reliability & safety

The Kia Carens has proven engines and a solidly built interior

Carbuyer Rating

3.7 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.7 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Reliability & safety Rating

4.0 out of 5

The Carens’ interior, despite using some hard plastics that don’t look great, feels well built and should pass the test of time. The old Carens was a reliable car and this trait should carry over to the current model, as it uses mechanical parts that have already proven their reliability in other Kias. The Kia Carens is also a safe car, with excellent crash-test scores and a decent amount of safety kit.

Kia Carens reliability

Reliability shouldn’t be a worry in the Carens. While Kia as a brand finished 14th in our 2016 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, a 10th place for reliability places it firmly in the top third of manufacturers when it comes to dependability. Also, the Carens uses mechanical parts that have been well proven in the rest of the company’s range, and Kia provides free updates for cars fitted with sat nav. And of course, the Carens comes with that industry-leading seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, which should give you excellent peace of mind.

Safety

The Carens received a five-star rating when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP and comes with six airbags, three-point seatbelts all round, plus electronic stability control. There’s also anti-lock brakes, hill-start assistance to stop rolling backwards when parking or setting off, ISOFIX child-seat mounts, plus an alarm and immobiliser to deter or frustrate car thieves.

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Most Popular

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light
Engine warning light
Tips and advice
1 Dec 2023

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
8 Dec 2023

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers

Top 10 best cars under £200 per month 2023/2024
Best cars for 200 per month
Best cars
28 Nov 2023

Top 10 best cars under £200 per month 2023/2024

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
20 Apr 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors 2022
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors 2022

Top 10 best electric cars 2023
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
15 Nov 2023

Top 10 best electric cars 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
17 May 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
18 Aug 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023