KEY POINTS:
Some acronyms have the ability to strike fear into the hearts of ordinary people. For example, IRD has its moments. And the SIS too. But if you're in the business and distributing and marketing new vehicles in New Zealand, the TLA (three-letter acronym, naturally) that will bring you out in a cold sweat is MPV.
It stands for multi-purpose vehicle, is another way of saying "people mover", and is without doubt the kiss of death for any new car you're trying to flog to New Zealanders.
While MPVs _ particularly the more compact "midi" variety _ are all the rage in Europe, Kiwis have a history of running a mile from anything so practical and sensible.
If we want lots of seats and some serious luggage space, we like our family wagons to come in the less spacious, less dynamically configuration of an off-roader.
Which is why New Zealand car distributors will go to great lengths to avoid the MPV tag, and if possible align vehicles with an off-roader-type image.
The Kia is a classic example _ the marketing campaign for its new Carens seven-seater employs the phrase "What Is It?" and focuses on the vehicle's broad range of talents and high seating position.
Nice try, but I have bad news for the Korean brand's advertising agency _ the Carens, being designed primarily for the European market, is a midi-people-mover and a thoroughly conventional one at that.
Like the groundbreaking Renault Scenic _ which created the genre _ and Volkswagen Touran, the Carens is based on the platform of a mid-sized family car (the Magentis) and is designed around an upright two-box body shape that gives superb space-efficiency and excellent visibility for all passengers.
That's the bad news _ at least if you're in the business of trying to sell the thing to buyers intent of driving something that looks set for weekend adventure. But the good news is that as far as mid-MPVs go, the Carens is a rather good one.
The styling is bland but with a hint of chic detailing, it's beautifully built and has seven seats arranged in a fairly clever configuration.
Like others of its ilk, it also provides substantial passenger and luggage-carrying potential in a package small enough to pilot and park around town.
Oh, there's another trump card for the Carens _ a fine 2.0-litre turbo diesel matched to an automatic transmission, which should appeal to the practically minded MPV buyers.
True, the tranny is only a four-speeder, but with 305Nm at just 1800rpm you can make do without a five of six-speeder.
The shapeless seats up front are a disappointment _ typically Korean, though _ but the rest of the cabin is surprisingly spacious.
The second-row seating is on runners in case those sitting in the cheap seats start whining too loudly about legroom, but even back there the twin chairs are quite habitable, with a decent view out and good legroom, which is often what's missing in third-row midi-MPV seating.
Unlike a Scenic or Fiat Multipla, the passenger seats can't actually be removed. But all five chairs in the rear compartment can be folded flat easily and you can liberate more than 2000 litres of storage space, which is deeply impressive for a car of this size.
The safety equipment is a standout for the Carens. You get stability control, airbags everywhere including the side windows, active headrests up front that flip forward in a rear impact to protect your neck, and convenience features such as rear parking radar.
The seats covers are leather/suede and the climate air conditioning is also channelled to the back to keep the family cool. Nice.
Performance is sprightly from the diesel engine and the 17-inch wheels offer an incredible amount of grip, but the Carens is by no means a driver's delight. It understeers quite a lot in tight corners and the suspension errs on the side of squidgy comfort.
But, overall, the Kia provides a safe and reasonably satisfying driving experience. The $41,990 price tag may seem a little steep for a virtually unknown Korean car, but Kia's five-year warranty and the car's comprehensive safety kit counts for a lot.
Sadly, the Carens won't do anything to make MPVs cool among image-conscious Kiwi buyers _ it's just a little too straight-laced for that.
But if you favour elegant solutions to family transport issues over status-seeking, this new Kia stands as an IPK (impressive piece of kit).
KIA CARENS EX
WE LIKE: Diesel powertrain, equipment, quality and the five-year warranty.
WE DON'T LIKE: Utterly conventional midi-MPV and the shapeless seats.
THE FACTS
Basic price: $41,990.
Options fitted: None.
Price as tested: $41,990.
Warranty: 5 years/100,000 km.
POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE
Engine: 1991cc inline turbo diesel four.
Power: 103kW at 6000rpm.
Torque: 305Nm at 1800-2500rpm.
Transmission: 4-speed automatic, front-drive.
Performance: 0-100km/h in12.6 seconds.
European Combined fuel consumption: 7.1 litres per 100km.
SAFETY
Active driver aids: Anti-lock braking with force distribution and brake assist, traction and stability control.
Passive restraints: Front, side and curtain airbags, seven lap-sash seatbelts.
EuroNCAP adult occupant crash test rating: Not tested.
VITAL STATISTICS
Wheels and tyres: 17-inch alloy wheels, 225/50 tyres.
Length: 4545mm.
Height: 1720mm.
Width: 1820mm.
Wheelbase: 2700mm.
Kerb weight: 1681kg.
Boot volume: 74/414/2106 litres (seats up/down).
Fuel tank: 55 litres.
THE RIVALS
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso HDi
Price: $49,990.
Powertrain: 100kW/270Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel four, 6-speed automatic, front-drive, Combined fuel economy 7.4 litres/100km.
If any midi-MPV can be considered sexy, it's this one. The C4 Grand Picasso is sheer class and a pretty cool way for seven to travel.
Holden Captiva CX CRDi
Price: $50,490.
Powertrain: 110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel four, 5-speed automatic, on-demand four-wheel drive, Combined fuel economy 8.6 litres/100km.
Looks costly next to the Carens, but the seven-seat Captiva boasts five-cog auto, all-wheel drive and occasional off-road ability.
Volkswagen Touran TDI
Price: $47,990.
Powertrain: 103kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel four, 6-speed automated manual, Combined fuel economy 6.7 litres/100km.
Often (and rightly) criticised for being a bit dull, but the seven-seat Touran boasts an incredibly clever cabin and it's good to drive.
