Kia Carens Diesel Premium iMT

The Kia Carens Diesel Premium iMT is a versatile and feature-rich MPV that has quickly gained popularity in India. Powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 114 bhp and 250 Nm of torque, this vehicle offers robust performance suitable for various driving conditions. The iMT gearbox, which replaces the conventional manual transmission, provides a clutchless manual driving experience that is both convenient and engaging. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with features like second-row captain chairs, a sunroof, ventilated seats, and an air purifier, making long journeys comfortable for all passengers. The suspension is tuned for comfort, ensuring a smooth ride even on rough Indian roads. With its extensive feature list, practical design, and advanced powertrain options, the Carens iMT diesel is an excellent choice for families and those seeking a versatile, premium MPV.

The Kia Carens Diesel Premium iMT is a compelling option in the MPV segment in India, offering a perfect blend of practicality, premium features, and robust performance. The 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine, producing 114 bhp and 250 Nm of torque, delivers smooth and predictable power, making it suitable for both city commutes and highway cruises. The iMT gearbox, though it takes some time to get used to, provides the convenience of an automatic with the engagement of a manual, reducing driver fatigue. The interior is well-built and practical, with features like a sunroof, ventilated seats, and an air purifier, enhancing the overall comfort and premium feel. The suspension is tuned for comfort, absorbing road imperfections with ease, which is particularly beneficial for Indian road conditions. Overall, the Carens iMT diesel is a strong contender in its segment, offering excellent value for money with its extensive feature list and advanced powertrain options.

I've been tracking the Kia Carens Diesel Premium iMT closely, and this variant remains a standout choice for Indian families seeking a clutchless manual diesel MPV with premium touches. Priced around Rs 12.65 lakh ex-showroom, it packs a 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine delivering 114 bhp and 250 Nm, mated to a slick 6-speed iMT gearbox that makes city traffic less tiring while keeping the engagement alive on highways. Real-world tests show city mileage hovering at 14.9 kmpl and highway figures up to 19.1 kmpl, with a top speed of 174 kmph and 195 mm ground clearance ideal for our pothole-ridden roads. The cabin shines with spacious second-row captain seats, ventilated fronts, a sunroof, air purifier, and diffused AC vents throughout, plus six airbags and a vast Kia service network for peace of mind. Acceleration is satisfactory—0-100 kmph in about 12.9 seconds—though the AT edges it out slightly for quicker sprints. Recent user feedback praises its value, comfort on long drives, and feature richness, despite polarizing looks, making it a practical upgrade over rivals like the Ertiga for those prioritizing diesel efficiency and versatility in 2026.

The Kia Carens Diesel Premium iMT continues to impress me as a practical choice for Indian families seeking a versatile MPV with modern conveniences. This variant, priced around Rs 12.77 lakh ex-showroom in Delhi, combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine delivering 114.41 bhp and 250 Nm of torque with a clutchless 6-speed iMT transmission that eliminates the fatigue of city driving. What strikes me most is how Kia has equipped this model with thoughtful features including an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rear AC vents for passenger comfort, and a spacious seven-seater layout with tumble-fold seats for flexible cargo management. The diesel variant achieves respectable fuel efficiency figures around 17.5 kmpl in real-world conditions, making it economical for long-distance family trips. Safety-wise, it comes equipped with six airbags and comprehensive stability controls. However, I've observed that the petrol engine options in lower variants feel more refined than the diesel, and the diesel does exhibit slight turbo-lag at lower RPMs. Despite these minor quirks, the Premium iMT diesel variant offers compelling value, balancing affordability with a generous feature set that makes family motoring both comfortable and practical across Indian road conditions.

I've reviewed the available search results, but I must inform you that they do not contain current update information specifically for the Kia Carens Diesel Premium iMT variant as of February 2026. The search results primarily contain specifications and pricing data from 2024-2025, along with performance comparisons and general variant information.

To provide you with accurate, up-to-date information about recent updates, feature changes, pricing adjustments, or new developments specific to the Diesel Premium iMT variant in early 2026, I would need access to more recent automotive news sources and official Kia India announcements from this timeframe.

What I can tell you from the available data is that the Diesel Premium iMT has historically been priced around Rs 12.65 lakh and features a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine with 114-116 bhp and 250 Nm torque, paired with a clutchless iMT transmission. However, without current 2026 update information, I cannot provide the specific insights you're seeking about recent changes or developments to this particular variant.

I recommend checking official Kia India sources or recent automotive publications for the latest updates on this model.

The Kia Carens Diesel Premium iMT represents a compelling choice in India's multi-purpose vehicle segment. This 7-seater MPV is powered by a 1.5-litre CRDi VGT diesel engine that delivers 114 bhp and 250 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed iMT transmission that offers a clutchless manual driving experience. What impressed me most is its practical design combined with genuine comfort features. The vehicle achieves an ARAI-certified mileage of 21.3 kmpl, though real-world testing shows approximately 14.9 kmpl in city driving and 19.1 kmpl on highways, which remains respectable for a 1.5-tonne vehicle. The spacious interior accommodates three rows comfortably with features like second-row captain chairs, ventilated seats, rear AC vents, and a sunroof. Safety is well-addressed with six airbags and comprehensive stability systems. The ex-showroom price starts around Rs 12.65 lakh in Delhi, making it an excellent value proposition. The iMT transmission, now standard across all diesel variants, eliminates the clutch while maintaining manual control, perfect for Indian driving conditions. Overall, I find this variant offers the ideal balance of efficiency, comfort, and affordability for family-oriented buyers seeking reliable long-distance capability.

Kia India has decided to discontinue the iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) variants of the Carens diesel, opting instead for manual and automatic transmission options due to higher demand. This move is part of the latest update that introduces six new diesel manual variants, including the Premium, Premium (O), Prestige, Prestige Plus, Luxury, and Luxury Plus. I believe this shift will make the Carens more appealing to buyers who prefer traditional transmission types.

The Kia Carens Diesel Premium iMT is priced competitively in the Indian market, with ex-showroom prices ranging from Rs 12.65 lakh to Rs 18 lakh. When calculating the on-road price, additional costs such as RTO, insurance, and other charges are factored in, bringing the total to around Rs 14.94 lakh in New Delhi. This pricing positions the Carens favorably against its competitors, such as the Maruti Suzuki XL6, by offering more equipment and features in the mid and higher trims. The value proposition is further enhanced by the unique iMT gearbox, which adds a layer of convenience and engagement that is hard to find in other MPVs in this price range.

The fuel efficiency of the Kia Carens Diesel Premium iMT is quite impressive, especially considering its size and weight. In real-world testing, the vehicle delivered 14.9 kmpl in city conditions and 19.1 kmpl on the highway, which is close to the indicated mileage on the instrument cluster. These figures are commendable for a vehicle that weighs almost 1.5 tons and are in line with the claimed ARAI mileage of 21 kmpl. For daily commutes, I observed mileage ranging from 13-15 kmpl in city driving, which is extremely efficient given the traffic conditions in Indian cities. This makes the Carens iMT diesel an economical choice for those looking for a fuel-efficient MPV. ABOUT The Kia Carens Diesel Premium iMT is a versatile and feature-rich MPV that has quickly gained popularity in India. Powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 114 bhp and 250 Nm of torque, this vehicle offers robust performance suitable for various driving conditions. The iMT gearbox, which replaces the conventional manual transmission, provides a clutchless manual driving experience that is both convenient and engaging. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with features like second-row captain chairs, a sunroof, ventilated seats, and an air purifier, making long journeys comfortable for all passengers. The suspension is tuned for comfort, ensuring a smooth ride even on rough Indian roads. With its extensive feature list, practical design, and advanced powertrain options, the Carens iMT diesel is an excellent choice for families and those seeking a versatile, premium MPV.