Comparison: Kia Carens vs Toyota Veloz

There was an era in the life of the modern automobile when minivans and station wagons were incredibly popular. For those looking to purchase a practical family hauler, minivans/MPVs represented the best solution. Not only were these cars really capable of offering buyers everything they wanted, but they were priced excellently.

Toyota has been consistently producing some of the best MPVs for decades. On the other hand, Kia is relatively new on this front. While SUVs fly off the shelf in Saudi Arabia, the same cannot be said for MPVs. However, this narrative has been slowly witnessing a shift – more brands are launching MPVs in the Middle East.

This is where models like the Kia Carens and Toyota Veloz enter the picture. These are both compact MPVs, which makes them a viable choice for those seeking a city-friendly commuter. Built on the Hyundai-Kia K2 platform, the Carens is presently in its fourth generation. The Veloz shares its Daihatsu New Global Architecture underpinnings with the Toyota Avanza.

Price Comparison

1. The Kia Carens is offered in two variants in Saudi Arabia. The base GL variant of the Carens is priced at SAR 74,892, while its top GLS variant costs SAR 98,635. This makes the Carens MPV as expensive as the well-liked Kia Seltos SUV. The prices include 15 percent VAT and a 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
2. In comparison, the Toyota Veloz is available in just one variant in KSA – the GLX. The Veloz GLX is priced at SAR 81,995, which includes VAT and a 3-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty. It’s obvious that the price of the Toyota MPV positions it right smack in the middle of the Kia’s two variants.

The Kia Carens in Saudi Arabia is sold exclusively by the National Marketing Company (NMC). Meanwhile, the sole distributor of the Toyota Veloz in KSA is Abdul Latif Jameel Motors.

Dimensions Comparison

Being compact MPVs, the Kia Carens and Toyota Veloz are not that large in their exterior dimensions. However, there are some visually notable differences between these two cars. Let’s take a look at the table below to gather more information.

Dimensions	Kia Carens	Toyota Veloz
Length	4,540 mm	4,475 mm
Width	1,800 mm	1,750 mm
Height	1,708 mm	1,700 mm
Wheelbase	2,780 mm	2,750 mm
Weight	1,400 kg (appx.)	1,300 kg (appx.)
Fuel capacity	45 liters	43 liters
Boot capacity	216 liters	207 liters
Wheel size	16 inches	17 inches

The Kia Carens is slightly bigger than the Toyota Veloz, except in a few areas. The similarities here can be seen when looking at their height and fuel tank capacities – the differences here are negligible. The Carens is longer and slightly wider than the Veloz while also offering a more generous wheelbase.

The Carens scores a slightly more accommodating boot and larger alloy wheels. On the other hand, the Veloz is around a hundred kilos lighter than the Kia. Being a touch smaller than its Korean rival makes parking and maneuvering the Veloz a little easier. The Carens features a vast greenhouse, but the Veloz’s windows provide even better visibility.

Where the Veloz’s design follows traditional lines, the Carens looks more contemporary. The split, layered front lights add to the modern appeal of the Carens. Its taillights sport a ‘connected’ design, while there’s plenty of chrome to keep things looking premium. Both cars have dual-tone wheels, though the sculpted front bumper of the Veloz introduces an intimidation factor.

Drivetrain and Performance Comparison

The Kia Carens is usually equipped with one of two petrol engines in Saudi Arabia. Let’s start the comparison by splitting the two powertrain options of the Carens for better clarity. Many buyers will appreciate the options here as a welcome gesture.

Specs	Kia Carens 1.5	Kia Carens 1.4 T-GDi
Engine	1.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol	1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
Gearbox	CVT	7-speed DCT
Drive System	FWD	FWD
Power	113 hp	138 hp
Torque	144 Nm	242 Nm
Mileage	14.1 kmpl (7.0 L/100 km)	16.2 kmpl (6.1 L/100 km)
Top Speed	170 kmph	180 kmph
0-100 kmph	11.5 sec (appx.)	10 sec (appx.)

The base Kia Carens comes across as a great everyday commuter. Its naturally-aspirated four-potter works well with the CVT gearbox to provide smooth and efficient progress. It feels reasonably quick when loaded lightly, feeling slightly awkward with a full house.

If you plan on traveling with a full load frequently or just want brisker performance, the turbo-petrol version is for you. The Carens Turbo feels more eager, with the dual-clutch gearbox working to keep the pace going effortlessly. While quick at shifting ratios, this transmission doesn’t feel as smooth as the CVT.

The Kia Carens drives well and keeps its composure even when the surface gets ugly. There isn’t a great deal of side-to-side or vertical motion, making the ride comfortable. Both engines are free of unwanted NVH and score well even when pushed moderately hard. Drive it reasonably responsibly, and the turbocharged engine conserves fuel well.

Specs	Toyota Veloz 1.5
Engine	1.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol
Gearbox	CVT
Drive System	FWD
Power	104 hp
Torque	138 Nm
Mileage	18.6 kmpl (5.3 L/100 km)
Top Speed	165 kmph
0-100 kmph	13.5 sec (appx.)

Meanwhile, the Toyota Veloz keeps things even simpler by offering just one petrol powerplant. This absence of options takes out any possibility of confusion in the minds of prospective buyers. When compared to the Kia Carens, the Veloz lacks the outright punch from its similarly sized engine. The motor itself is smooth and doesn’t create much of a racket.

The Veloz is slower than the Carens, but it’s irrefutably more fuel efficient. Its four-banger works well in the city, helping the MPV keep pace with slow-moving traffic. The CVT has been tuned for economy, which is apparent in the Veloz’s frugal consumption figure. It’s when you need a proper move on that this powertrain struggles a bit.

There’s slightly more body roll here, and the Veloz doesn’t like to be rushed through corners. The steering is light and relatively accurate, especially at slower speeds. You’ll not have much to complain about when pottering around town in the Toyota Veloz. However, cabin NVH isn’t as well-controlled as in the Carens.

Features Comparison

The Kia Carens offers tons more on the features front. Considering its higher asking price, this is to be expected. The Toyota Veloz isn’t as well-equipped, but it’s definitely not a bare-bones package. Let’s now see how the top variants of these two cars compare.

Exterior Features	Kia Carens GLS	Toyota Veloz GLX
LED headlights	Yes	Yes (w/ sequential front indicators)
LED DRLs	Yes	Yes
Front foglights	Yes (LED)	Yes (halogen)
Powered ORVMs	Yes (auto-folding)	Yes (auto-folding)
Keyless entry	Yes	Yes
Remote boot release	Yes	No
Combination LED taillights	Yes	Yes
Roof rails	Yes	Yes
Rear spoiler	Yes	Yes

 The interior of the Veloz is surprisingly modern and premium-looking in some areas. There’s even leatherette and some fake carbon-fiber trim that helps lift the ambiance of this MPV’s cabin. However, the interior of the Carens feels more premium and modern. It has a flat-bottom steering wheel, beige leatherette trim, textured black plastic, and better-quality materials.

Interior Technologies	Kia Carens GLS	Toyota Veloz GLX
Push-button start	Yes	Yes
Electric sunroof	Yes	No
Digital driver’s display	Yes (12.5-inch)	Yes (7-inch)
Touchscreen infotainment	Yes (8-inch)	Yes (8-inch)
Wireless charger	Yes (w/ cooling)	Yes
Apple CarPlay & Android Auto	Yes	Yes (CarPlay)
Drive mode selector	Yes (three modes)	Yes (three modes)
LED ambient lighting	Yes (w/ 64 colors)	Yes
Sound system	Yes (8-speaker Bose premium audio)	Yes (6-speaker audio)

 The Kia Carens has more convenience-related equipment than the Toyota Veloz. This makes traveling long distances in the Carens a far more pleasurable experience for the whole family. However, the Toyota Veloz has a couple of items that are missing in the Carens.

Comfort Offerings	Kia Carens GLS	Toyota Veloz GLX
Leatherette upholstery	Yes	Yes (partial)
Ventilated front seats	Yes	No
Adjustable steering	Yes (tilt only)	Yes (tilt & telescopic)
Split-folding rear seats	Yes	Yes
Rear armrest	Yes (two)	Yes (one)
Rear window shades	Yes	No
Seatback table	Yes	No
Automatic climate control	Yes (single-zone w/ rear vents)	Yes (single-zone w/ rear vents)
Cooled cupholders	Yes	No
Dash-integrated cupholders	Yes	No
Electronic parking brake	No	Yes (w/ auto-hold)
USB ports	Yes (four)	Yes (three)

Both these cars cover all the basics of modern safety nannies, while sharing a similar kit. The equipment provided here are adequate to keep you out of harm’s way. However, neither has any advanced driver assistance systems as standard.

Safety Systems	Kia Carens GLS	Toyota Veloz GLX
Cruise control	Yes	Yes
ABS + EBD	Yes	Yes
All-wheel disc brakes	Yes	Yes
Tire-pressure monitoring	Yes	Yes
Rearview cameras	Yes	Yes
Parking sensors	Yes (front & rear)	Yes (front & rear)
Airbags	Yes (6)	Yes (6)
Vehicle stability control	Yes	Yes
Hill-start assist	Yes	Yes
ISOFIX anchors	Yes	Yes

Conclusion

The Toyota Veloz is well-packaged and has enough space on the inside, seating 7 occupants with relative ease. Its lower price tag, the Toyota promise of reliability, and lower fuel consumption are all convincing factors. The Kia Carens has a sleeker design, while its nicer interior and cooler features list would be appreciated by most.