Following Malaysia, Kia has also recently established its own national sales company in Indonesia, called Kia Sales Indonesia (KSI), to take over operations from the brand’s previous distributor in the Archipelago.
To mark the transition, KSI has previewed the new Kia Carens facelift during the brand relaunch event, which will become the first model to be launched under the new entity, Otodriver reports. For those unfamiliar, the Kia Carens was sold in Malaysia in its first and second generation guise as the Naza Citra and the Citra Rondo II, respectively, with the third and fourth-gen models skipping our market.
The Kia Carens is a B-segment MPV, which would compete against the Perodua Alza and the Mitsubishi Xpander if it were launched in Malaysia. Full specifications of the new Kia Carens facelift in Indonesia have not been released yet, but the model is slated for a launch at the upcoming 2026 Indonesia International Auto Show (IIMS) in early February.
It is reported that the Kia Carens facelift in the archipelago will be powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 115 hp and 144 Nm of torque. This will be paired with a CVT gearbox that sends power to the front wheels. Other powertrains available for the Kia Carens globally include a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine producing 160 hp and 253 Nm, alongside a fully electric version.
The EV variants feature a front-mounted electric motor with outputs of either 135 hp and 225 Nm, or a more powerful 171 hp and 255 Nm. These are powered by 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh battery packs for the two variants respectively, enabling a range of up to 490 km (NEDC).
Regardless of powertrain, these will be wrapped in an exterior that made its debut in India as the Kia Carens Clavis, featuring Star Map LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and Ice Cube LED headlights.
As an MPV, the Kia Carens is available in six- or seven-seater configurations. Equipment wise, the Carens should feature the same 26.62-inch integrated display inside, with segments for the centre infotainment display and digital gauge cluster, as seen on the Carens Clavis in India.
With the new Kia Carens facelift slated for launch in Indonesia, could the model return to Malaysia too? It’s too early to say for now, but Kia Sales Malaysia has grand plans for the brand here, and has recently unveiled the 2026 Kia Carnival facelift, just two weeks after officially taking over operations in the country.
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