Kia Carens vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga: Comparing Their Variants Priced Rs 13-14 Lakh for Safety-conscious Car Buyers

For a safety-conscious buyer, it is important to consider the safest cars, or top safety-rated cars in India, when purchasing a vehicle. Today, we look at the Kia Carens and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga in terms of their safety aspects.

In this article, we will share

• What a safety-conscious buyer looks for in a car
• Kia Carens vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – an in-depth look at their safety features, ratings, and driver assistance features
• How to pick the right car for you

Can these models be considered the best cars with safety features? How have they fared in crash tests, and how is their structural integrity? What features do they have to ensure driver, passenger and child safety? Read on.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

What a Safety-Conscious Buyer Looks for in a Car

Here’s what a safety-conscious buyer should look for in a car:

• Safety – What safety features does the car have? What is its safety rating?
• Driver assistance – Does the car have features like parking camera, rear parking sensors, follow-me-home headlights, etc.
• Space – Does the car have enough interior space?

A safety-conscious buyer prioritizes features that ensure maximum protection in the event of a mishap and assist in preventing accidents. Crucial elements include a high GNCAP rating, reflecting rigorous crash-test performance, and advanced safety features like multiple airbags, ABS, ESC, and traction control. 

Reliable brake systems, crash warning functionalities, and high structural integrity during collisions are vital. Additionally, features enhancing night and inclement weather driving, like fog lights and adaptive headlights, contribute to overall safety. 

Ultimately, a vehicle’s ability to safeguard its occupants under various conditions is paramount for the safety-conscious buyer.

Why Kia Carens and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga are Popular

Kia Carens and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga have garnered attention among safety-conscious buyers due to their substantial safety features combined with overall vehicle reliability. 

Both models boast a decent GNCAP rating of 3, suggesting that they’ve undergone rigorous testing and met several safety standards. They are equipped with essential safety features like ABS, ESC, and multiple airbags, including knee/curtain airbags, which are crucial in offering comprehensive protection during collisions.

Furthermore, both vehicles offer high-speed stability, ensuring control and handling at elevated speeds, a crucial aspect of preventive safety. The presence of rear parking sensors and cameras in both models aids in safe parking and maneuvering in tight spaces, reducing the likelihood of minor accidents. 

Additionally, the ‘follow me home’ headlights feature ensures visibility, enhancing pedestrian and driver safety in low-light conditions.

While both cars lack some advanced safety technologies like lane-keeping assist and crash warning systems, their existing safety features, combined with their reputation for durability and build quality make them popular choices for buyers prioritizing safety.

Kia Carens and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Variants Shortlist in Rs 13-14 Lakh Range

For Kia Carens, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 17 October 2023
Prestige iMT	₹13,25,000
Prestige Diesel iMT	₹13,85,000

For Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 17 October 2023
ZXI Plus AT	₹13,08,000

Kia Carens Prestige iMT

The Kia Carens Prestige iMT, priced at INR 13,25,000, is a viable option for safety-conscious buyers. It comes equipped with six airbags, ensuring comprehensive protection in the event of a collision. Stability features like ESC and high-speed stability are present, complementing the ABS for enhanced vehicular control. 

Although it lacks fog lights and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), its existing safety attributes and a GNCAP rating of 3 make it a solid contender. If you’re a style-conscious car buyer, you can read our comparison of the Carens with Maruti Suzuki XL6.

Kia Carens Prestige Diesel iMT

At INR 13,85,000, the diesel variant of the Kia Carens provides similar safety features as its petrol counterpart, including six airbags, ABS, and ESC. The identical GNCAP rating of 3 signifies reliable protective measures during crashes. 

The absence of fog lights and ADAS might be a concern, but its standard safety features still qualify it as a safe pick. If you’re a family-focused car buyer, you can read our comparison of the Carens with Hyundai Alcazar.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXI Plus AT

Priced at INR 13,08,000, this variant stands out with its inclusion of fog lights, providing better visibility under adverse weather conditions. While it houses fewer airbags (four) compared to the Kia variants, it still maintains a GNCAP rating of 3. 

The presence of ABS, ESC, and high-speed stability ensures the vehicle remains controlled and stable, crucial for accident prevention. If you enjoy road trips, you can read our comparison of the Ertiga with Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.

Our Pick for the Best Variant Among Kia Carens and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga for Safety-Conscious Buyers

The Kia Carens Prestige iMT emerges as the best variant for a safety-conscious buyer. Priced at INR 13,25,000, it doesn’t just align with a robust set of standard safety features but also assures comprehensive occupant protection with its six airbags — two more than what’s offered in the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXI Plus AT. 

This variant of Kia Carens also maintains a GNCAP rating of 3, reflecting a commendable level of safety upheld during crash tests.

While both cars offer essential features such as ABS, ESC, and high-speed stability, the Kia Carens Prestige iMT takes a slight edge with its additional airbags, ensuring better protection in various types of collisions. 

Although it lacks fog lights, which are present in the Ertiga, its other safety features and the overall build quality, as reported in reviews, compensate for this, ensuring it stands out as the safer option.

The 3 Variants Ranked in Order of Preference

1. Kia Carens Prestige iMT
2. Kia Carens Prestige Diesel iMT
3. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXI Plus AT

Attributes	Kia Carens Prestige iMT	Kia Carens Prestige Diesel iMT	Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXI Plus AT
Price	1325000	1385000	1308000
GNCAP Rating	3	3	3
Airbags (number)	6	6	4
ABS	Yes	Yes	Yes
ESC	Yes	Yes	Yes
High-Speed Stability	Stable	Stable	Stable
Rear Parking Sensors	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fog lights	No	No	Yes

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• The Kia Carens Prestige iMT leads the pack with a higher number of airbags, essential for collision safety. 
• The Kia Carens Prestige Diesel iMT follows closely, with an identical safety feature set but at a higher price point due to its diesel engine. 
• The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXI Plus AT, while cheaper than the Carens variants and having fewer airbags, offers fog lights.

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered