Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Kia Carens: Comparing Their Variants Under Rs 15 Lakh for Family-focused Car Buyers

As a family man, you consider only the best or top family cars in India when deciding on which one to buy. Today, let’s look at the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Kia Carens, and find out what makes them family-friendly car models in India.

In this article, we will share

• What family-focused buyers look for in a car
• Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Kia Carens – a detailed analysis of their features, space, and safety
• How to pick the right car for you

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

What a Family-focused Car Buyer Looks for in a car

Here’s what a family-focused buyer should look for in car:

• Safety – A car must have essential safety features, and a good safety rating
• Space and comfort – The car must have ample space to accommodate all family members, and must include convenience features like rear AC vents
• Ride and handling – The car’s ride and handling need to be good

For family-focused car buyers in India, the top priorities are safety, comfort and convenience. Key factors include ample legroom and headroom, especially in the second and third rows. 

They also want features like rear AC vents, parking sensors and cameras in top family cars in India. Reliable after-sales service is also crucial.

Why Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Kia Carens are Popular

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Kia Carens score high among family car buyers. Both offer robust safety with 6 airbags, ABS, traction control and acceptable Global NCAP ratings. 

Spacious interiors, reclining rear seats, cooling glovebox and steering-mounted controls add comfort. 

The touchscreen system, multiple charging points and steering adjust provide convenience. Their reliability and wide service network is a plus.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Kia Carens Variants Shortlist in Rs 14-15 Lakh Range

For Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 29 September 2023
Zeta CNG	₹14,86,000

For Kia Carens, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 29 September 2023
Prestige Plus iMT	₹14,75,000

Maruti Grand Vitara Zeta CNG

The Maruti Grand Vitara Zeta CNG variant offers 6 airbags, ABS, traction control and a 4-star Global NCAP rating ensuring safety for all occupants. With 265 liters boot space and reclining rear seats, it provides comfort on long trips. 

Convenience features like rear AC vents, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity, steering controls and a 9-inch touchscreen enhance the overall family driving experience. If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the Carens with Skoda Kushaq and Hyundai Creta.

Kia Carens Prestige Plus iMT

The Kia Carens Prestige Plus iMT also gets 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, ISOFIX mounts and a 3-star Global NCAP rating for robust passenger protection. With ample legroom, adjustable headrests and dedicated AC vents for second and third row, it ensures comfort for all family members. 

The 8-inch touchscreen, multiple charging points, cooled glovebox, push-button start and paddle shifters make daily drives easier. If you’re budget-conscious, you can read our comparison of the Carens with Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

Our Pick for the Best Variant among Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Kia Carens for Family-focused Car Buyers

The best variant among these two for the family buyer is the Kia Carens Prestige Plus iMT. Though slightly lower on safety ratings, it matches the Grand Vitara on critical safety features like 6 airbags and ABS. But it pulls ahead on interior space and comfort. 

With its longer 2780mm wheelbase, the Carens offers segment-leading legroom even in the third row. The roof-mounted AC vents ensure uniform cooling while adjustable headrests provide better headroom flexibility. 

Overall, the Carens offers a more comfortable and spacious experience for the entire family and is the right car on this list for a family man. We have also compared the Kia Carens with Maruti Suzuki Ertiga for long-distance road trip lovers.

The 2 Variants Ranked  

1. Kia Carens Prestige Plus iMT
2. Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Zeta CNG

Attribute	Kia Carens Prestige Plus iMT	Maruti Grand Vitara Zeta CNG
6 Airbags	Yes	Yes
ABS	Yes	Yes
Android Auto/Apple CarPlay	Yes	Yes
Rear AC Vents	Yes	Yes
Rear Parking Camera	Yes	Yes
Third Row Legroom	Yes	No

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• Kia Carens Prestige Plus iMT: With its spacious interiors, expansive features list and powerful petrol-manual powertrain, the Carens Prestige Plus caters best to families.
• Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Zeta CNG: The Grand Vitara Zeta CNG balances safety, space and running costs – all key priorities for families. Its CNG variant maintains strong safety and drivability.

In summary, the Carens Prestige Plus iMT and Grand Vitara Zeta CNG variants stand out for their unique blend of safety, space, features and powertrain options suitable for the entire family. For most buyers, the extra cabin room and driving ease of the Carens Prestige Plus make it the most well-rounded choice.

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