Before the key turns in the ignition, the Carens is at a disadvantage. The measly 1100kg towing limit restricts the auto version tested here to 329kg below an 85% match. The manual can tow a far healthier 1500kg.
Further points are lost for practicality. Like all seven-seaters on test, boot space was assessed with five seats in place; in this configuration we couldn’t fit anything like our full load of holiday gear. What’s more, our lane-change manoeuvre revealed one or two stability weaknesses.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however. The hill-start performance was very impressive, straight-line stability at 60mph was also solid, and the Kia rode comfortably, with or without a caravan on the back.
