The 2025 Kia Carens Clavis marks a bold entry into India’s competitive MPV segment, challenging well-established rivals like the Maruti Ertiga, Maruti XL6, Toyota Rumion, and even the standard Kia Carens. For many MPV buyers, fuel efficiency is a crucial factor, especially as these vehicles often serve families and businesses for both city commutes and long journeys.
In this detailed comparison, we analyze the claimed fuel efficiency of the Kia Carens Clavis against its main competitors, breaking down engine options, powertrain diversity, and real-world implications to help you make an informed choice.
Powertrain Options: Variety and Performance
Kia Carens Clavis / Kia Carens Powertrains
The Kia Carens Clavis stands out with its broad range of powertrain options, including:
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1.5-litre naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engine producing 115 PS and 144 Nm torque
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1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 160 PS and 253 Nm torque
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1.5-litre diesel engine with 116 PS and 250 Nm torque
Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual), 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch automatic), and traditional 6-speed automatic, making it one of the most versatile MPVs on the market.
Maruti Ertiga, XL6, and Toyota Rumion Powertrains
On the other hand, the Maruti Ertiga, XL6, and Toyota Rumion focus on efficiency and simplicity, offering:
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1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engines (around 103 PS to 115 PS)
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A unique petrol + CNG variant (88 PS petrol engine paired with CNG) — not available in Kia models
Transmission options here range from 5-speed manual to 6-speed automatic, catering to the typical MPV customer base focused on fuel savings.
Claimed Fuel Efficiency: Who Leads the Pack?
Let’s look at the official mileage claims made by manufacturers for each variant, keeping in mind these figures reflect ideal conditions.
| Model | Engine | Transmission | Fuel Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Carens Clavis | 1.5L NA Petrol | 6-speed MT | 15.34 km/l |
| 1.5L Turbo Petrol | 6-speed MT/iMT | 15.95 km/l | |
| 1.5L Turbo Petrol | 7-speed DCT | 16.66 km/l | |
| 1.5L Diesel | 6-speed MT | 19.54 km/l | |
| 1.5L Diesel | 6-speed AT | 17.50 km/l | |
| Maruti Ertiga / Toyota Rumion | 1.5L NA Petrol | 5-speed MT/6-speed AT | 20.30 to 20.51 km/l |
| 1.5L Petrol + CNG | 5-speed MT | 26.11 km/kg (CNG) | |
| Maruti XL6 | 1.5L NA Petrol | 5-speed MT/6-speed AT | 20.27 to 20.97 km/l |
| 1.5L Petrol + CNG | 5-speed MT | 26.32 km/kg (CNG) | |
| Kia Carens | 1.5L NA Petrol | 6-speed MT | 15.70 km/l |
| 1.5L Diesel | 6-speed MT | 21.30 km/l |
Maruti and Toyota’s Clear Advantage
The Maruti Ertiga, XL6, and Toyota Rumion models dominate the fuel efficiency race, especially with their petrol+CNG variants delivering outstanding figures over 26 km/kg, ideal for cost-conscious buyers looking for green fuel options.
Even their conventional petrol engines outperform Kia’s naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines by a wide margin, achieving over 20 km/l, regardless of manual or automatic transmission.
Kia’s Diverse Engine Lineup
While Kia offers a more powerful and versatile engine range, including turbo-petrol and diesel options not found in Maruti or Toyota models, these options sacrifice fuel efficiency for performance.
The turbo-petrol 7-speed DCT variant of the Carens Clavis delivers a respectable 16.66 km/l, balancing power and mileage. The diesel models remain the most fuel-efficient Kia options, with up to 21.30 km/l for the standard Carens diesel-MT.
However, the base 1.5-litre NA petrol manual of the Clavis has the lowest fuel economy at 15.34 km/l, significantly trailing rivals.
Pricing Overview
Understanding the price range helps balance your budget with fuel economy needs.
| Model | Price Range (Ex-showroom, India) |
|---|---|
| Maruti Ertiga | ₹8.84 lakh – ₹13.13 lakh |
| Toyota Rumion | ₹10.54 lakh – ₹13.83 lakh |
| Kia Carens | ₹11.41 lakh – ₹13.16 lakh |
| Kia Carens Clavis | ₹11.50 lakh – ₹21.50 lakh (introductory) |
| Maruti XL6 | ₹11.84 lakh – ₹14.87 lakh |
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If fuel efficiency and running cost top your priority, especially for city and frequent highway use, the Maruti Ertiga, XL6, and Toyota Rumion clearly lead with their petrol+CNG and NA petrol options.
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However, if you want a wider choice of powerful engines, including turbo-petrol and diesel, the Kia Carens Clavis offers superior flexibility and performance, albeit with slightly lower mileage figures.
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The decision ultimately hinges on your preferences between outright efficiency and performance versatility.
FAQs
Q1: Which MPV offers the best fuel efficiency in this comparison?
A: The Maruti Ertiga and XL6 petrol+CNG variants lead with claimed fuel efficiencies exceeding 26 km/kg, making them the most fuel-efficient options.
Q2: Does the Kia Carens Clavis offer diesel engines?
A: Yes, both the Carens Clavis and standard Carens come with a 1.5-litre diesel engine option, delivering mileage between 17.5 to 21.3 km/l.
Q3: Are turbo-petrol engines available in the Kia Carens Clavis?
A: Yes, the Clavis offers a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with multiple transmission options, balancing performance and efficiency.
Q4: How do the transmission options affect fuel efficiency?
A: The Kia Carens Clavis turbo-petrol 7-speed DCT variant offers the best mileage among turbo options at 16.66 km/l, slightly better than manual and iMT variants.
Q5: What factors affect real-world fuel efficiency compared to claimed figures?
A: Driving style, traffic, road conditions, vehicle maintenance, and weather can all impact real-world mileage, so actual fuel economy may vary.
