User Reviews Kia Carens

= 85%* = 91 km/u = 8%

when to great yarmouth may 08 pulling a abi transrer caravan
pulling about 1250kg as norfolk flat level area no problems . may lack power on hillly areas .but all in all ok

= 81%* = 103 km/u = 20%

The Carens 2.0 deisel tows very well indeed. I tow a Abbey Expression 470 mtpw 1310 KG the carens performs very well between 2000 rpm and 2600 in 5 th and at times 6 th gear about 60 mph. First gear is good for crawling just release the clutch gently on tick over no problem. Ecomomy towing 30 mpg ,solo at 60 mph 44 mpg+. Carens has a high driving position with comfortable seats good luggage space. I would recomend it excelent value too.

= 88%* = 104 km/u = 19%

The Carens tows really well has a max towing capacity of 1500kg which encompasses most 4 berths. Fuel economy is good even when towing and its not a 4x4 so benefits from normal tax and insurance groups

= 74%* = 102 km/u = 21%

I drive a 2010 kiacarens 2.0crdi vgt 5seats towing luner stella
1175 kg.This kia is one of the best tow cars i have ever used
the 2.0ltr engine is so powerful it is easy to forget you have a
caravan behind you.Hill climbing is no problem overtaking is
also no problem the gear range is very good .

= 89%* = 104 km/u = 20%

Excellent towing car with Bailey Pageant S5 as my brother in-law has one and done some test in the hilly roads of South Wales with my Kia Carens II instead of his Volvo Estate car witch is excellent towing car, he was surprised of the pulling power from start even on a slope a 1 in 4 gradient, the only problem he had was getting use to the foot break the replaces the hand break by the drivers side the Kia Carens use a lever to release the foot break to the left of the clutch,
but after several hill starts he got use to the foot break.
Well we did not have enough time to a full review but in October when I pick up my New Bailey Caravan I will give a more up to date report.

Mike & Robin

= 84%* = 104 km/u = 19%

Well it has been 6 months since my last review using my tow car Kia Carens Mk11 new model on a 07 plate with our new Bailey Pageant Champagne Caravan.

As I do most of the driving, my wife has not experienced towing but I hope to enrol her on a caravan-towing course, I have enjoyed the experience of returning to caravanning with this combined outfit.

The model Kia is the LS model top of the range model with some added features like cruise control is a bonus on motorways.
I can set the speed without worrying about exceeding the limit of 60 mph, and with the 6-speed manual gearbox, I do not have to change gear so often when on open roads even on a long gradient.
This is supported by the 138 bhp this 2 Litre Turbo Diesel Engine that produces enough power while giving good fuel economy for this outfit.
The Bailey Caravan towed well and with the extended mirrors fitted to the cars own large mirrors I had a good all round view of the vehicles behind me.
I have only towed using this particular outfit but my experience tells me it is a good match, while there is other more powerful vehicle available, I have found the C02 emission this vehicle produce is low and goes with £140 road fund tax.

With the kerb weight for the car at 1657 kg and the caravan, 1362 kg the total Gross train weight is 3269 kg.

Lastly, both car and caravan are very stable while towing as long as you keep to the speeds and confident about towing you should have an enjoyable experience.

= 93%* = 102 km/u = 18%

I am towing my t/a swift charisma with my 2007 diesel manual crdi 7 seat Carens at 60mph I can achieve good headway and get 30mpg. Without the van 52mpg at 60mph. this car pulls like a train although technically according to figures the swift is 34kg too heavy. you would not know it though it handles superb. Dennis

= 91%* = 101 km/u = 18%

Our Carens tows remarkably well. We had a Sorento and although it towed well was uncomfortable. We eventually changed to the Carens. The only slight problem is that the car is low on the ground when hitched. We have never hit anything though. very stable outfit if you drive carefully and very comfortable. Also good on fuel.

= 89%* = 101 km/u = 19%

The Kia Carens is a 2.0 CRDi ( March 2007) bought new and the caravan is a 1998 Bailey Senator California twin axle. I have fitted an Alko 3004 stabiliser hitch. The outfit is impeccable on the road and the Carens has enough power to tow comfortably over all conditions. We toured France for 4 weeks, uphill and down dale and I found that on most reasonable roads I could use the cruise control with the van on the back, the 138bhp diesel engine is able to cope very adequately with all conditions encountered to date. The car has a very comfortable driving position and has a reasonably good spec. My only adverse criticism is that the electrics bracket tends to scrape on some speed bumps no matter how carefully I go over them. I tend to cruise around 65 mph on the clock and have roughly checked the fuel consumption to be around 23 mpg with the van on tow and climate control on auto with 2 people up(approx 180 Kg) and a full boot including our Penta awning approx 75 Kg. I have towed caravans for 37 years to date and this is the best tow car I have had for performance and overal comfort. We previously towed this caravan with a Citroen Xantia Exclusive 2.0 HDI at Kb Wt of 1361 Kg and this also towed very well even though the power was less at 110 bhp, but benefited from self levelling suspension. That happily towed to Spain via Andorra several times plus Germany France and all over the UK. I can recommend the Carens for caravans up to the manufacturers max towing wt of 1500Kg.

* Calculated weight ratio according to the British Towing Code (loaded weight caravan / kerb weight car)