Maruti Ertiga vs Kia Carens: Which MPV Should You Buy Under ₹15 Lakh?

Vinay Kamboj

4 weeks ago

When looking for a practical and feature-rich 3-row MPV under ₹15 lakh, the Maruti Ertiga and the Kia Carens both stand out. Each caters to slightly different audiences: the Ertiga focuses on value, reliability, and efficiency, while the Carens leans toward premium features and design.

Pricing (Ex-Showroom, India)

Variant	Maruti Ertiga	Kia Carens
Starting Price	₹8.69 lakh	₹10.45 lakh
Top Variant Under ₹15L	ZXI+ AT (~₹13.03 lakh)	Prestige Plus 1.5 Petrol (~₹14.95 lakh)

Verdict: Ertiga is more affordable overall, but Carens offers more premium feel and features closer to ₹15 lakh.

Engine Options

Engine	Maruti Ertiga	Kia Carens
Petrol	1.5L NA Petrol (103hp, 137Nm)	1.5L NA Petrol (115hp, 144Nm)
Turbo Petrol	❌	1.5L Turbo Petrol (160hp, 253Nm)*
Diesel	❌	❌
CNG	✅ (1.5L, 88hp)	❌
Transmission	5MT / 6AT	6MT / IVT (CVT) / 7DCT (turbo only)

Verdict: Carens offers better performance and transmission choices. Ertiga scores with CNG for economy-focused buyers.

Fuel Efficiency (Claimed)

Ertiga Petrol (MT): ~20.51 km/l
Ertiga CNG: ~26.11 km/kg
Carens Petrol (NA): ~16.5–17.9 km/l
Carens Turbo Petrol (DCT): ~17.9 km/l

Verdict: Ertiga is more fuel efficient, especially with CNG.

Space & Comfort

Parameter	Maruti Ertiga	Kia Carens
Length	4395 mm	4540 mm
Wheelbase	2740 mm	2780 mm
3rd Row Comfort	Average	Better
Boot Space (All Seats Up)	209L	216L

Verdict: Carens is larger, more spacious, and offers better third-row comfort. Sliding second row is available in both.

Features Comparison (Top Variants)

Feature	Maruti Ertiga ZXI+	Kia Carens Prestige Plus
Touchscreen	7-inch	8-inch
Android Auto / Apple CarPlay	Wired	Wireless
Rear Camera	✅	✅
Airbags	4	6 (standard) ✅
Sunroof	❌	✅ (higher variants)
Cruise Control	✅	✅
AC Vents for All Rows	✅	✅
Connected Car Tech	❌	✅ (higher variants)

Verdict: Carens offers more features and safety tech even in mid variants.

Safety

Ertiga: Dual airbags (base), up to 4 airbags, ESP, hill-hold, ISOFIX
Carens: 6 airbags standard, ESP, VSM, TPMS, ISOFIX

Verdict: Kia Carens is significantly better equipped in terms of safety, right from the base variant.

Ride & Handling

Ertiga: Soft suspension for comfort, ideal for city driving.
Carens: Better high-speed stability, more refined and comfortable over long distances.

Verdict: Carens has a more mature and premium ride quality.

After-Sales & Ownership

Parameter	Maruti Ertiga	Kia Carens
Service Network	Extensive	Decent but growing
Maintenance Cost	Lower	Slightly higher
Resale	Strong	Good, improving

Final Verdict: Which MPV Should You Buy?

If you want…	Choose
Lower price, CNG economy, lower maintenance	Maruti Ertiga
More space, features, 6 airbags, premium feel	Kia Carens