Kia Carens - Existing Kia Carens customers will be having epileptic fits when they clap eyes on the all-new second-generation Carens.

Not only has the Carens grown, it is far better equipped, more safe, has new, powerful and economic engines and the ability to be either a five seater or seven, but in true typical Kia style; the ace up the Carens sleeve is outstanding value for money.

Six models will be initially on sale in the UK from a five-seater 2.0-litre petrol on a manual gearbox, in addition to a five and seven seater 2.0 litre turbo diesels with either manual or automatic transmission.

Prices start from just £11,995 for the five seater S trim on a petrol but with seven seater's starting to take a greater share of sales in this traditionally five seater sector, I decided to focus on this, still retaining my top of the range status, so opted for the economical diesel engine mated to the top spec LS trim and letting the automatic gearbox take away the strain in particular of town driving or in my case, the school run.

Now please take a seat as I announce how much this will cost you. Ready, £16,995. Where one earth are you ever going to find a seven seater for this price? "Does it have doors"? I hear you cry, actually yes and a steering wheel, but "I bet that is about it".

No in fact its not, the LS is equipped with full climate control, electric windows, electrically heated, adjustable and folded door mirrors, automatic lights and wipers, thumping large 16inch alloy wheels, electric sunroof, cruise control and reverse parking sensors. All this I for a premium of £1,500 over the GS that has in its own right an impressive array of standard features.

OK I have added an extra £500 for the seven seat option, £1000 for the automatic on a diesel engine but hey with this sort of price structure I cold buy his and hers matching for the price it would cost me to purchase a competitive seven seater.

"Yes" I hear you moan, "that’s all very well, but I bet is cheap and nasty to look at". Well, not really, its quite attractive and by no means a cumbersome full blown MPV but rather more like a slightly raised hatchback thus cleverly disguising the fact it is a seven seater at all.

The large windscreen offers excellent forward visibility while the uniform glass area around the Carens aids the manoeuvring. Inside, yeah OK a bit plasticity, but highly functional. The height adjustable steering wheel clad in leather houses remotes for the audio including CD player and cruise control. The height adjustable drivers seat is a little tough on the back but does offer a good commanding view of the road ahead. The instrument is clearly defined and the centre console is in a T- shape sweeping outward to meet the driver for ease of use. With the handbrake being replaced by a release lever and push down brake to the left of the drivers foot, means lots more space for storage from a generous sized glove box to sunglass holder, cup holders, door pockets to a very useful two-tired concealed box that doubles up as an armrest.

Row 2 gains door pockets and elasticated pockets in the rear of the front seats while Row 3 has bottle holders and a deep long concealed storage on both sides.

"OK" you; moan, "I bet the seats are complicated for this price". Sorry, but these seats are the easiest I have ever had the pleasure of operating. Row 2 simply pull lever and both outer seats will slide forward making access to Row 3 easy, while these in turn, with one finger even, pull the strap and the seats tumble into a completely flat load, and then to retrieve, simply pull the tag towards you.

Job done without having to remove headrests, parcel shelf’s, luggage restraints etc and can accommodate occupants up to 1.8 m tall. For extra versatility, the front seats can turn into a bed with Row 2, as can the centre and Row 3. Row 2 also fold flat without having to remove headrests, which, coupled with Row 3 being completely flat, gives enough room to bring home the dishwasher or the Christmas tree.

"Well it must be tiny and cramped inside then". Not at all thanks to very clever packaging, the Carens is longer, wider and higher meaning all occupants have plenty of leg, head and elbowroom.

"Yes but at this price gosh it must be a ropey old engine". Sorry to disappoint yet again, but its not.

The Euro 1V compliant 1991 cc 16-valve CRDi engine provides better performance than the previous Carens with a top speed of 116 mph and 0-62 in 12.6 seconds while fuel consumption on the LS automatic is 39.8-mpg. "OK well than it has to as rough as hell to drive". No, because due to its suspension, the Carens has a system fitted that allows it to be steered and manoeuvred with little effort while ensuring high speed stability.

With the increase space the Carens now gains, means a reduction in noise, vibrations and harshness that will appease us Mothers whilst refereeing yet another outburst of world war three, with lots of sound proofing foam and isolating pads placed in key areas.

Because of the Carens compact dimensions, coupled with precise rack and pinion steering parking is a breeze which is just as well as the panic buying season is upon us and inevitably one thing left off the shopping lists meaning yet another trip.

"Right" I hear you cry, "It cannot have everything of this price so that means safety has taking a bashing". Ah afraid not, you see all Carens are fitted with six airbags - twin front, side and full length with the passenger having cut off switch to enable a rear facing child seat to be fitted. ABS along with EBD is also standard while protecting the Carens from would be thieves are an Immobiliser with the GS, while the LS trims gains remote central locking and alarm.

"OK" I hear you mutter, "you win". Well I don't personally, but Kia. Yet again they have pulled another trick out of nothing in producing one the cheapest but not the nastiest seven seater with a host of luxury toys mated to a very economic engine.

FemaleFirst Jackie Violet

Kia Carens - Existing Kia Carens customers will be having epileptic fits when they clap eyes on the all-new second-generation Carens.

Not only has the Carens grown, it is far better equipped, more safe, has new, powerful and economic engines and the ability to be either a five seater or seven, but in true typical Kia style; the ace up the Carens sleeve is outstanding value for money.

Six models will be initially on sale in the UK from a five-seater 2.0-litre petrol on a manual gearbox, in addition to a five and seven seater 2.0 litre turbo diesels with either manual or automatic transmission.

Prices start from just £11,995 for the five seater S trim on a petrol but with seven seater's starting to take a greater share of sales in this traditionally five seater sector, I decided to focus on this, still retaining my top of the range status, so opted for the economical diesel engine mated to the top spec LS trim and letting the automatic gearbox take away the strain in particular of town driving or in my case, the school run.

Now please take a seat as I announce how much this will cost you. Ready, £16,995. Where one earth are you ever going to find a seven seater for this price? "Does it have doors"? I hear you cry, actually yes and a steering wheel, but "I bet that is about it".

No in fact its not, the LS is equipped with full climate control, electric windows, electrically heated, adjustable and folded door mirrors, automatic lights and wipers, thumping large 16inch alloy wheels, electric sunroof, cruise control and reverse parking sensors. All this I for a premium of £1,500 over the GS that has in its own right an impressive array of standard features.

OK I have added an extra £500 for the seven seat option, £1000 for the automatic on a diesel engine but hey with this sort of price structure I cold buy his and hers matching for the price it would cost me to purchase a competitive seven seater.

"Yes" I hear you moan, "that’s all very well, but I bet is cheap and nasty to look at". Well, not really, its quite attractive and by no means a cumbersome full blown MPV but rather more like a slightly raised hatchback thus cleverly disguising the fact it is a seven seater at all.

The large windscreen offers excellent forward visibility while the uniform glass area around the Carens aids the manoeuvring. Inside, yeah OK a bit plasticity, but highly functional. The height adjustable steering wheel clad in leather houses remotes for the audio including CD player and cruise control. The height adjustable drivers seat is a little tough on the back but does offer a good commanding view of the road ahead. The instrument is clearly defined and the centre console is in a T- shape sweeping outward to meet the driver for ease of use. With the handbrake being replaced by a release lever and push down brake to the left of the drivers foot, means lots more space for storage from a generous sized glove box to sunglass holder, cup holders, door pockets to a very useful two-tired concealed box that doubles up as an armrest.

Row 2 gains door pockets and elasticated pockets in the rear of the front seats while Row 3 has bottle holders and a deep long concealed storage on both sides.

"OK" you; moan, "I bet the seats are complicated for this price". Sorry, but these seats are the easiest I have ever had the pleasure of operating. Row 2 simply pull lever and both outer seats will slide forward making access to Row 3 easy, while these in turn, with one finger even, pull the strap and the seats tumble into a completely flat load, and then to retrieve, simply pull the tag towards you.

Job done without having to remove headrests, parcel shelf’s, luggage restraints etc and can accommodate occupants up to 1.8 m tall. For extra versatility, the front seats can turn into a bed with Row 2, as can the centre and Row 3. Row 2 also fold flat without having to remove headrests, which, coupled with Row 3 being completely flat, gives enough room to bring home the dishwasher or the Christmas tree.