VS
At a Glance
Power
83kW@4000
149 kW
Torque
245Nm@2000
380 Nm
Fuel
—
—
Towing
1250
1500 Kg
0-100 km/h
—
—
Engine
1991
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 83kW@4000 while the Mahindra XUV700 produces 149 kW. Pricing starts at R189 995 for the CARENS and R627 899 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
83kW@4000
149 kW
Torque
245Nm@2000
380 Nm
0-100 kph
—
—
Top Speed
—
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1991
1997 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
DIESEL
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
AUTOMATIC
automatic
Number of Gears
4
6
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
—
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
55
60 l
CO2 Emissions
—
198 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4493
4695 mm
Width
1748
1890 mm
Height
1609
1755 mm
Wheelbase
2560
2750 mm
Ground Clearance
155
—
Kerb Weight
1474
1750 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
7
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1250
1500 Kg
Load Capacity
1632
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✗
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
—
Airbag Count
2
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
—
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
—
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✗
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✗
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
—
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
—
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✗
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
—
Sunroof
✗
✓ Standard
Electric Seat Adjustment
✗
—
Keyless Entry
✗
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
36
5
Warranty Distance
100000
150000 Km
Service Plan
M
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
5
Service Plan Distance
—
100000
Service Intervals
30000
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 (R189 995)
No factory service plan
Mahindra XUV700
Higher towing capacity (1500 Kg)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the CARENS or XUV700?
The CARENS produces 83kW@4000 and 245Nm@2000 of torque while the XUV700 delivers 149 kW and 380 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the CARENS and XUV700?
The CARENS starts from R189 995 and the XUV700 from R627 899. The CARENS is cheaper by R437 904 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 1250 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.