VS
At a Glance
Power
60 kW
85 kW
Torque
115 Nm
250 Nm
Fuel
6.2 l/100km
5.3 l/100km
0-100 km/h
—
13.1 s
Engine
1199 cc
1493 cc
Choosing between the Citroen Aircross and the Kia Carens is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Citroen Aircross delivers 60 kW while the Kia Carens produces 85 kW. On fuel, the Aircross returns 6.2 l/100km while the Carens uses 5.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R299 900 for the Aircross and R599 995 for the Carens. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
60 kW
85 kW
Torque
115 Nm
250 Nm
0-100 kph
—
13.1 s
Top Speed
—
170 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1199 cc
1493 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
3
4
Fuel Type
petrol
diesel
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
manual
automatic
Number of Gears
5
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.2 l/100km
5.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
45 l
CO2 Emissions
139 g/km
139 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4310 mm
4550 mm
Width
1784- mm
1800 mm
Height
1639 mm
1734 mm
Wheelbase
2671 mm
2780 mm
Ground Clearance
200 mm
180 mm
Kerb Weight
1151 Kg
1488 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
7
Load Volume
444-839 l
—
Towing & Payload
Load Capacity
410 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
—
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
—
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
—
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
100000 Km
unlimited Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
4
3
Service Plan Distance
60000
45000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Carens
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Carens
Fuel Economy
Carens
Value
Aircross
Practicality
Carens
Pros & Cons
Citroen Aircross
Lower starting price (R299 900)
Higher fuel consumption (6.2 l/100km)
Less power than rival (60 kW vs 85 kW)
Kia Carens
More powerful engine (85 kW)
Better fuel economy (5.3 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Aircross or Carens?
The Aircross uses 6.2 l/100km and the Carens uses 5.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Carens is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Aircross or Carens?
The Aircross produces 60 kW and 115 Nm of torque while the Carens delivers 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque. The Carens is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Aircross and Carens?
The Aircross starts from R299 900 and the Carens from R599 995. The Aircross is cheaper by R300 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Should I buy the Aircross or the Carens?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.