The price tag on the new electric offering from Kia Motors, the Clavis EV, begins at ₹18.03 lakh (ex-showroom) and makes for an interesting electric choice for customers who want a spacious family vehicle with seating for up to seven people. The model is available with two battery pack variants.
What Do You Get For The Starting Price?
The base HTK+ comes with the 42kWh battery pack, and it costs ₹18.03 lakh. Kia promises a range of 404km from this battery, which makes it ideal for daily driving in cities and some occasional drives rather than pure urban EVs.
The Clavis EV also comes with many standard features, which include six airbags, connectivity features, a digital cockpit system, and various charging features. Other models come with additional premium features such as a panoramic sunroof, Bose audio system, and Level 2 ADAS with 20 autonomous safety features.
Choosing a Suitable Battery
Now comes the part where the Clavis EV gets more intriguing. With the higher capacity 51.4kWh battery pack providing a maximum range of 490km, this is definitely the one to go for if you often drive for long distances.
The Extended Range variants of the car begin from around ₹22.04 lakh and go all the way to ₹24.99 lakh, depending upon the variant.
Which One? Six Seaters Or Seven?
The Carens Clavis EV comes in both versions. In the case of the seven-seater, a regular second row is provided, but for the six-seater, there are captain seats. Kia provides both options in select models without any price differences between the two seat configurations in the same model.
If you have a large family to accommodate, go for the seven-seater. But if second-row comfort is your priority, then the six-seater will suit you.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of the Clavis EV
The most obvious benefit of the Carens Clavis EV is the combination of an EV driving experience with a practical family car. In particular, the availability of two battery packs, six- and seven-passenger configurations, and numerous technological options allows consumers to choose from a wider range of options than is available with other compact electric SUVs.
Moreover, the company provides the opportunity for the use of its Battery-as-a-Service program. This makes the car more affordable initially, with batteries being paid for separately according to kilometers travelled.
Our Verdict
Should you wish to purchase a large electric vehicle for your family needs, then the Kia Carens Clavis EV is a good candidate to look into. The version of this car with 42kWh capacity of the battery would suit people who prefer using their cars in urban areas more, while the Extended Range model of 51.4kWh would suit highway conditions better.
While the initial cost of the vehicle is not low, the Clavis EV is an interesting option to consider in place of small SUVs.