VS
At a Glance
Power
85 kW
149 kW
Torque
250 Nm
380 Nm
Fuel
5.3 l/100km
—
Towing
—
1500 Kg
0-100 km/h
13.1 s
—
Engine
1493 cc
1997 cc
Choosing between the Kia Carens and the Mahindra XUV700 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Carens delivers 85 kW while the Mahindra XUV700 produces 149 kW. Pricing starts at R599 995 for the Carens and R599 999 for the XUV700. 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
85 kW
149 kW
Torque
250 Nm
380 Nm
0-100 kph
13.1 s
—
Top Speed
170 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1493 cc
1997 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.3 l/100km
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
60 l
CO2 Emissions
139 g/km
198 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4550 mm
4695 mm
Width
1800 mm
1890 mm
Height
1734 mm
1755 mm
Wheelbase
2780 mm
2750 mm
Ground Clearance
180 mm
—
Kerb Weight
1488 Kg
1750 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
7
7
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
1500 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
7
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
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
150000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
3
5
Service Plan Distance
45000
100000
Service Intervals
15000
20000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Mahindra XUV700
2 / 4 categories
Performance
XUV700
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Carens
Practicality
XUV700
Pros & Cons
Kia Carens
Lower starting price (R599 995)
Less power than rival (85 kW vs 149 kW)
Mahindra XUV700
More powerful engine (149 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the Carens or XUV700?
The Carens produces 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque while the XUV700 delivers 149 kW and 380 Nm of torque. The XUV700 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Carens and XUV700?
The Carens starts from R599 995 and the XUV700 from R599 999. The Carens is cheaper by R4 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Carens or XUV700?
The Carens has a braked towing capacity of not specified and the XUV700 can tow 1500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Carens or the XUV700?
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.