Kia Carens vs Toyota Innova Crysta: Space And Practicality Compared
Published On Mar 24, 2022 By Tushar for Kia Carens
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The Kia Carens may not be an Innova Crysta rival in price, but it may well be an alternative in capability
Many have tried to end the Toyota Innova’s dominance in the MPV space but it’s seemingly an order too tall. The Kia Carens, then, seems to have the makings of a strong challenger, even though it may not be a direct competitor to the Innova Crysta. After all, its prices end where the Toyota’s begin! Nonetheless, we couldn’t help but wonder if it could match or even beat the Innova Crysta on the space and practicality front.
So can the Kia Carens be considered as an alternative to the Toyota Innova Crysta or is there a relative compromise for the cost savings?
Looks
We’ll leave the opinion of which one looks better, to you, but neither one of these cars are subtle with their styling cues and that’s largely down to how their headlights are designed. Many found the Carens’ design to be a touch polarising but that is a sentiment we experienced even when the Innova was rebirthed as the Crysta and it is a look that will grow on you with time.
FYI: Yes, the vehicle pictured with the Carens is the pre-facelift Innova Crysta (which doesn’t get the new grille or dual-tone alloy wheels), as the latest version was unavailable for shoot.
The one advantage you get with the Innova Crysta is greater road presence. In part, that’s down to the 17-inch’ alloys vs the 16-inchers on the Carens but the Innova is also, for the most part, a larger car. Save for the wheelbase, it’s bigger on all counts vs the Carens.
| Dimensions (mm) |
Kia Carens |
Toyota Innova Crysta |
| Length |
4540 |
4735 |
| Width |
1800 |
1830 |
| Height |
1708 |
1795 |
| Wheelbase |
2780 |
2750 |
It also has some of the SUV factor with its taller stance and higher bonnet line, while the Carens tries to blend some SUV appeal into its looks with body/wheel arch cladding and roof rails. If you like aggressive designs, you’d probably tilt towards the Toyota.
Headlights
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Innova Crysta - LED projector low beam | Halogen high beam
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Carens - LED low beam and high beam
But while the differences in dimensions may seem large on paper, in reality, put the cars next to each other and they do look like they come from the same segment.
Boot Space
This similarity is also reflected in the boot space. With the last rows occupied and the backrests reclined to a comfortable angle (neither upright, nor too laid back), both cars have space for one large suitcase and a small trolley bag. The Carens offers some additional storage under the boot floor too.
With the last rows folded away, both have acres of space for the family’s weekend trips. A key difference is how the seats fold away, though. The Innova Crysta’s third row folds up to the sides while Carens’ fold flat into the floor - the latter being a better solution with regards to the driver’s rearward visibility.
Getting In
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Getting into the Kia Carens is easier as the floor height is lower i.e. it’s friendlier for elderly passengers.
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The Carens also offers an electric release to tumble the left middle-row seat, which is very convenient. The Innova Crysta offers a one-touch tumble forward lever which is quite handy in itself.
Third Row
Both cars offer enough space for 6ft tall users to sit in each row.
Kia Carens
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Offers more headroom vs the Innova
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Underthigh support is decent as the seat base curves upwards
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Frontward view is more open/clear as the seat back height is low in all rows
Toyota Innova Crysta
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Offers more space under the middle-row seat to tuck your feet in
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Offers better overall seat comfort and support for larger occupants as the seatback is taller and wider
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Toyota says you can seat three people here but it’s not suitable for three adults, even though you do get proper headrests and 3-point seatbelts for all. Kids, however, can manage.
Third Row Storage & Amenities
| Kia Carens |
Toyota Innova Crysta |
| 2 x type C chargers |
No charging points |
| 2 x 1 litre bottle holders |
2 x 1 litre bottle holders + 1 cupholder (right bottle holder is ventilated but not cooled) |
| 2 x reading lights |
No reading lights |
| 2 x roof AC vents |
2 x roof AC vents |
| 2 x phone/tablet slots |
2 x phone storage recesses |
Second Row
Kia Carens
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Offers more headroom vs the Innova Crysta in the middle-row as well. The difference is even more noticeable here
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Those with an average build will find the overall seat comfort decent
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View out is very airy as the window is enormous!
Toyota Innova Crysta
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Offers better overall seat comfort and support for larger occupants as the seatback is taller and wider
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Headroom is fine for those up to 6ft tall. Any taller and you’d tilt towards the Carens. The Kia subsequently feels more accommodating if you wear a turban.
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Seat is set taller so you’re seated higher than in the Carens.
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All things being equal, the Innova Crysta offers a little more knee room in the middle row
Second Row Storage & Amenities
| Kia Carens |
Toyota Innova Crysta |
| 2 x type C chargers |
1 x USB + 1 x 12V socket |
| 1 x fold-out tray with cupholder (left side only) |
2 x fold-out tray with cupholder |
| 2 x Seatback pockets |
2 x Seatback pockets |
| 2 x roof mounted AC vents with blower speed control |
2 x roof mounted AC vents with blower speed control and auto mode |
| Roller window sunblinds |
Blue ambient light with brightness control |
| 2 x 1 litre bottle storage space in each door |
3 x 1 litre bottle storage space in each door |
| Cooled centre storage with space for 2 x 500ml bottles |
Boss lever on left side to adjust front seat from behind |
| Knick-knack storage slot under door armrests |
1 x phone storage slot behind front armrest console |
First Row
Kia Carens
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It has an MPV-like driving position thanks to the low window line and the manner in which the dashboard cocoons around the driver.
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The front passenger’s seat offers a little more knee room than the Innova Crysta.
Toyota Innova Crysta
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The driving position is much taller here and feels more commanding.
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The dashboard juts out in the middle for the front passenger, so users who are exceptionally tall may find their knees touching the dashboard, even with the seat pulled all the way back
First Row Storage & Amenities
| Kia Carens |
Toyota Innova Crysta |
| 2 x 1 litre bottle storage space in each door + an umbrella holder + 1 x 500ml bottle |
3 x 1 litre bottle storage space in each door |
| Pop-out cupholder for front passenger in front of AC vent |
Flip-out cupholders in front of side AC vents |
| Pop-out ticket holder for driver |
1 litre bottle storage in the middle |
| Storage tray under front passenger’s seat |
Knick knack storage in the centre console |
| Space for a 1 litre + 500ml bottle in centre console |
Dual glove boxes with upper cooled-glovebox |
| Armrest with storage underneath |
Armrest with storage underneath |
| 1 x USB + 1 x type-c charger + 1 x 12V socket |
1 x 12V charging socket |
Quality
Both feel well built on the inside with appreciable fitment quality. The Kia Carens uses more leatherette touches on the door armrest and centre armrest, while the Innova Crysta gets velvety (almost suede-like) fabric on the door pads and even sunvisors. Both use hard plastics only but the ones on the Innova Crysta feel tougher and more durable.
Features
| Vehicle |
Kia Carens |
Toyota Innova Crysta |
| Touchscreen |
10.25”. Offers great touch response and resolution. Purple font colour may not be to everyone’s liking though |
8”. Average resolution and touch response. Looks aftermarket and dated at that. The interface is easy to understand but the overall screen quality is acceptable at best for a car at this price |
| Speakers |
8-speaker. BOSE music system offers better sound quality and you can enjoy loud music with them too. However, the same system sounds better in the Seltos, largely because of the car’s size and speaker placement |
6-speaker. Sound quality is decent but nothing remarkable. The sound system blares quite a lot with loud music |
| Android Auto/Apple CarPlay |
Yes |
Yes |
| Smart-Key with Push-Button Start |
Yes |
Yes |
| Cruise Control |
Yes |
Yes |
| Ventilated Seats |
Yes |
No |
| Powered-Driver’s Seat |
No |
Yes |
| Air-Purifier |
Yes |
Available as an accessory |
| Wireless Phone Charger |
Yes |
Available as an accessory |
| Ambient Lighting |
64 colours |
Blue only |
| Sunroof |
Yes |
No |
| Tilt & Reach Steering Adjustment |
Yes |
Yes |
| One-touch operation for all power windows |
Driver only |
Yes |
| Auto-Dimming IRVM |
Yes |
No |
| Soft-close tailgate |
No |
Yes |
| Paddle-shifters |
Yes (7-speed DCT turbo-petrol and 6-speed AT diesel) |
No |
Safety Features
| Vehicle |
Kia Carens |
Toyota Innova Crysta |
| ABS with EBD |
Yes |
Yes |
| Airbags |
6 as standard |
3 as standard, 7 on top-spec |
| Stability Control |
Yes |
Yes |
| Rear Camera |
Yes, better resolution and with dynamic guidelines |
Yes, average resolution and static guidelines |
| Parking Sensors |
Front & Rear |
Front & Rear |
| TPMS |
Yes |
Available as an accessory |
| ISOFIX |
Yes |
Yes |
| Hill-Start Assist |
Yes |
Yes |
| Connected Car Tech |
Yes |
Yes |
Ease Of Driving & Ride Comfort
While we won’t be comparing the driving performance of these cars as they’re in different specifications (Test Carens = Petrol DCT | Test Innova Crysta = Diesel AT), the Carens is the easier daily driver. It’s easier to maneuver in traffic due to the slightly smaller size and importantly, the considerably lighter and quicker-responding steering.
The Innova’s steering is quite heavy and needs some effort to use, especially for u-turns.
Both cars offer good comfort over bad roads but behave very differently. In the stiffer-set ladder-frame Innova Crysta, you will feel some side-to-side tossing over uneven roads and you’ll constantly feel some dawdling in the cabin, even on smooth highways. That said, this behaviour becomes less noticeable as you load the car up with more people.
In the Kia Carens, there’s more vertical movement you’ll feel as you go through potholes and ruts. The suspension isn’t soft standalone, but it is softer than the Innova’s and subsequently dives through the surface changes before recovering quickly.
Verdict
So can you consider buying the Kia Carens over the Toyota Innova Crysta? Yes, you absolutely can. It isn’t a compromise in terms of space, practicality, usability, features or quality vs the Toyota and actually outperforms the Innova Crysta on some counts, while being significantly cheaper to buy.
The Innova Crysta’s time-tested reliability, longevity and Toyota’s aftersales support are its trump cards against the Carens. Being a rear-wheel drive car, it also offers benefits if you expect a lot of uphill driving, especially with people on board.
So, while the Innova Crysta is still an excellent buy for the whole family, the Kia Carens manages to offer so many of its qualities while asking for significantly less money, making it the winner in this comparison.