Kia Carens Clavis EV Long Term Report: End of Term - Hard to Let Go

Living with the Kia Carens Clavis EV over the past few months has been an eye-opening experience - not just as an electric vehicle, but first and foremost as a family car. And that, perhaps, is its biggest strength. It never tries too hard to be futuristic or flashy; instead, it focuses on getting the basics right and does so consistently well. Over time, it quietly became a dependable part of my everyday routine.

What I will miss the most, without a doubt, is the low running cost. With access to home charging, the Clavis EV proved to be incredibly economical to run, especially for daily commutes. Coupled with its ability to fast-charge when needed, it made living with an EV feel far less restrictive than I had initially expected.

Then there’s the space. The Clavis EV is, at its core, a practical and sensible three-row family car. The cabin feels airy, thoughtfully laid out, and easy to live with. More importantly, the third row is genuinely usable even for adults – something that still remains a rarity in this segment. Whether it was office runs, family duties, or being loaded up for events, the Clavis handled it all without complaint.

However, it isn’t without its compromises. The biggest one is the purchase cost. At the top end, it commands a noticeable premium over the ICE-powered Clavis, making the value proposition harder to justify up front.

Range and usability also come into play when you step outside the city. While it works brilliantly as a daily commuter, it isn’t the most reassuring companion for long-distance travel, where charging infrastructure and planning still add a layer of complexity and uncertainty.

Refinement, too, isn’t perfect. At higher speeds, a fair bit of wind noise finds its way into the cabin, which slightly takes away from the otherwise calm driving experience.

That said, as a city-focussed family EV, the Carens Clavis EV makes a very strong case for itself. It’s practical, comfortable, easy to use, and economical to run – all the things that truly matter in everyday life. And in that sense, it feels less like a tech statement and more like a well-thought-out upgrade to an already sensible formula – one that I’ll genuinely miss living with every day.