I was really looking forward to spending time with the Kia Carens Clavis EV. After all, we’ve been mightily impressed with the Hyundai Creta EV, and this promised to build on that experience. The reason? It’s essentially that car, but with added practicality.

First impressions? It’s wonderfully effortless to drive, thanks to the e-motor’s linear power delivery. The ride quality is impressive too, and the accuracy of the range indicator is spot on.

The second row is generously spacious, even when fairly tall passengers occupy the third row. It can slide forward and backward, and the reclining backrest adds an extra layer of comfort. Slide it all the way back, recline the seat fully, and you’re treated to a genuinely superb chauffeur-driven experience.

Access to the third row is equally convenient, thanks to the one-touch tumble function for the second-row seats. Once you’re seated, the seats themselves are well cushioned and pleasantly supple, remaining comfortable even on longer journeys. The Carens has always been a brilliant people-mover, and many of my friends love it precisely for that reason.

It also scores highly on convenience. There are dedicated air-conditioning vents for all seven passengers, five Type-C USB ports, and a fantastic Bose sound system. It also has many large cubby spaces, which gets a big thumbs-up.

That said, it isn’t perfect. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is missing, which feels like an oversight in a modern EV. The wireless charger up front also seems to have a mind of its own, working only occasionally. And while the white upholstery looks premium, it does pick up stains rather easily.

The one aspect that does test my patience is charging speed with the portable charger. It’s essentially a granny charger, delivering around 1.4 kW per hour, which means a full charge from 20 per cent takes well over 38 hours. In practical terms, that means the car ends up staying plugged in almost constantly when it’s at home.

All things considered, though, the Carens Clavis EV is shaping up to be an excellent and remarkably easy-to-drive MPV. Most of my driving so far has been in the city, and with a daily run of around 50 km, a full charge comfortably lasts me an entire week. That’s without draining the battery completely, mind you.

It’s delivering an efficiency of about 7–8 km/kWh, with the air-conditioning on and a full load of passengers, which has been the case most of the time, and that’s really good for a car of its size.

What remains to be tested next is its efficiency on the highway and a full charge range test. I reckon it will easily do over 400 km on a single charge. Stay tuned for my next report.