Kia Carens is a 7-seater Multi-Purpose Van (MPV) that offers all engine options including CNG, diesel, petrol, and turbo petrol. The CNG variants offer only manual transmission whereas the 1.5-litre diesel engine is paired either with the 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. The turbo petrol variants offer 6-speed iMT and 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) whereas the Naturally Aspirated (NA) petrol variants come with only one 6-speed manual transmission.
Maruti Ertiga is also a 7-seater MPV that is known for its spacious cabin and comfortable seats. The current generation Ertiga models are either offered with a 1.5-litre K Series petrol engine and a factory-fitted CNG powertrain is also available. The petrol variants are paired either with a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The CNG variants are offered only with the 5-speed manual transmission. In this blog, we will check which car from Kia Carens vs Maruti Ertiga offers better real world mileage.
Table of Contents
Kia Carens vs Maruti Ertiga: Key Specs
Specifications of a car might also have some role in its real-world mileage. For instance, cars with a powerful engine usually lead to faster fuel-consumption that ultimately decreases its fuel-efficiency. On the other hand, heavier cars also exert more load on the engine which lowers its mileage to some extent. Therefore, it becomes important for us to compare the key specifications of Kia Carens and Maruti Ertiga before comparing them on the basis of their mileage. The below table highlights the key specs of both these cars:
| Specification | Kia Carens | Maruti Suzuki Ertiga |
| Engine | 1.5-Litre Naturally Aspirated (NA) Petrol1.5-Litre TGDi Turbo-Petrol1.5-Litre TGDi Turbo-Petrol + CNG1.5-Litre CRDi VGT Diesel | 1.5-litre K Series Petrol Engine with Smart Hybrid Technology and Factory-Fitted CNG Kit |
| Displacement | Petrol/CNG: 1497 ccDiesel: 1493 cc | 1462 cc |
| Power | Petrol: 115 PSTurbo Petrol: 160 PS Diesel: 116 PS | Petrol: 101.64 bhpCNG: 87.83 bhp |
| Torque | Petrol: 144 NmTurbo Petrol: 253 Nm Diesel: 250 Nm | Petrol: 139 NmCNG: 121.5 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed Manual6-speed iMT6-speed Automatic7-speed DCT | 5-speed manual6-speed torque converter (automatic) with paddle shifters |
| Drive layout | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Kerb weight | 1300 to 1630 kg depending upon the variant | 1150 to 1205 kg depending upon the variant |
| Fuel tank capacity | 45 litres (Petrol) 60 litres (CNG) | 45 litres (Petrol)60 litres (CNG) |
Kia Carens generates more power and torque both with its NA petrol and CNG variants if we compare it with the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. Also, its is quite heavier than Ertiga models when we compare their kerb weight. So, these factors can help Ertiga generate a higher mileage also since its petrol and CNG powertrains are tuned for fuel-efficiency.
Kia Carens vs Maruti Ertiga: ARAI Claimed Mileage Figures
Automotive Research Association of India i.e. ARAI is responsible for testing cars on the basis of their mileage. Cars are driven in ideal conditions with minimal load during the ARAI mileage tests. So, they often end-up delivering their optimal mileage as compared to their real-world mileage. The below table highlights the key differences between the ARAI-certified mileage figures of both Kia Carens and Maruti Ertiga across the powertrains:
| Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Kia Carens – ARAI Mileage (km/l) | Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – ARAI Mileage (km/l) |
| 1.5-litre NA Petrol + 6-Speed MT/5-speed MT | NA Petrol | 15.7 km/l | 20.51 km/l |
| 1.5-litre NA Petrol + 6-Speed Torque Converter (Automatic) | NA Petrol | – | 20.30 km/l |
| 1.5-litre Turbo Petrol + 6-Speed iMT | Turbo Petrol | 15.95 km/l | – |
| 1.5-litre Turbo Petrol + 7-Speed DCT | Turbo Petrol | 16.66 km/l | – |
| 1.5-Litre CRDi VGT Diesel – MT | Diesel | 21.3 km/l | – |
| 1.5-Litre CRDi VGT Diesel – AT | Diesel | 18.4 km/l | – |
| 1.5-litre petrol + CNG – Manual | CNG | 15.34 km/l | 26.11 km/kg |
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga claims a higher mileage with both its NA petrol and CNG variants. On the other hand, Kia Carens offers a fuel-efficient diesel engine option but the current generation Ertiga does not offer a diesel engine. Ertiga does not offer a turbo petrol engine either. So, direct comparisons of the diesel powertrains or turbo petrol powertrains is not possible. When comparing the NA petrol and CNG powertrains, it is clear that Ertiga is a clear winner in terms of ARAI-certified mileage. Now, let’s see whether this remains true for their real-world mileage or not.
Summary: With its fuel-efficient CNG and petrol engine, Ertiga claims a higher mileage than Kia Carens during the ARAI fuel-efficiency tests.
Also Read: How to Increase Kia Carens Mileage
Kia Carens vs Maruti Ertiga: Real-World Mileage
The real-world mileage of cars can often defy their ARAI tested mileage figures. This happens because the mileage varies as per your driving style, engine-type, fuel-type, and road conditions. Factors such as a car’s design and drag co-efficient also determine its mileage. So, let’s compare Kia Carens vs Maruti Ertiga on the basis of their real-world mileage now. The below table gives a detailed comparison of the real-world mileage of these cars across their powertrains:
| Kia Carens (1.5-litre NA Petrol) | Maruti Ertiga (1.5-litre NA Petrol) | |
| City | 11 km/l | Manual: 15 km/lAutomatic: 13 km/l |
| Highway | 13 km/l | Manual: 19 km/lAutomatic: 18 km/l |
| Average | 12 km /l | Manual: 17 km/l Automatic: 15.50 km/l |
| Tank range | 540 km | 732 km |
| Kia Carens (1.5-litre CNG) | Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG | |
| City | 17 km/kg | 22 km/kg |
| Highway | 20 km/kg | 26 km/kg |
| Average | 18.5 km /l | 24 km/kg |
| Tank range | 166 km | 216 km |
| Kia Carens (1.5-litre Turbo Petrol) | Maruti Ertiga Turbo Petrol – Not Available | |
| City | iMT: 10.8 km/lDCT: 10.9 km/l | – |
| Highway | iMT: 16.4 km/lDCT: 14.2 km/l | – |
| Average | iMT: 13.6 km/lDCT: 12.55 km/l | – |
| Tank range | 588 km | – |
| Kia Carens (1.5-litre Diesel) | Maruti Ertiga – Diesel Not Available | |
| City | MT: 16.2 km/lAT: 14 km/l | – |
| Highway | MT: 23.1 km/lAT: 19 km/l | – |
| Average | MT: 19.65 km/lAT: 16.5 km/l | – |
| Tank range | 813 km | – |
From the above tables, it is clear that the Maruti Ertiga maintains its high fuel-efficiency in real-world conditions too. Both its NA petrol and CNG powertrains offer better real-world mileage than Kia Carens and with quite a difference. Again, as Ertiga does not offer diesel or turbo petrol variants, it is quite difficult to compare these cars in those specific powertrains.
Summary: Maruti Suzuki emerges as a clear winner in the department of real-world mileage too.
Also Read: How to Increase Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Mileage?
Kia Carens vs Maruti Ertiga: Fuel Cost-Comparison
After comparing the real-world mileage of Kia Carens and Maruti Ertiga, it becomes imperative to test their fuel-costs in the real-world. In this section, we will calculate the periodic (monthly, yearly, and 5-yearly) fuel costs of both Kia Carens and Maruti Ertiga across their powertrains. This will help us determine the car that offers more fuel-savings among the two.
For comparison sake, we will consider that both cars run 1500 km every month. Also, we have taken the latest prices of petrol (Rs. 111.18), diesel (Rs. 97.50), and CNG (Rs. 88) for calculating the periodic fuel costs. The below table highlights the fuel costs of each of the powertrains of Kia Carens and Maruti Ertiga:
| Kia Carens NA Petrol | Kia Carens Turbo Petrol | Maruti Ertiga NA Petrol | Maruti Ertiga Turbo Petrol – Not Available | |
| Monthly Running | 1,500 km | 1,500 km | 1,500 km | – |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 125 litres | 115 litres | 92 litres | – |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 13,897 | ₹ 12,785 | ₹ 10,228 | – |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹1.66 lakh | ₹ 1.53 lakh | ₹ 1.22 lakh | – |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 8.33 lakh | ₹ 7.67 lakh | ₹ 6.10 lakh | – |
| Kia Carens CNG | Maruti Ertiga CNG | Kia Carens Diesel | Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Diesel – Not Available | |
| Monthly Running | 1,500 km | 1,500 km | 1,500 km | – |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 81 litres | 62 litres | 83 litres | – |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 7128 | ₹ 5456 | ₹ 8092 | – |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 85,536 | ₹ 65,472 | ₹ 97,104 lakh | – |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 4.27 lakh | ₹ 3.27 lakh | ₹ 4.85 lakh | – |
After comparing the periodic fuel costs of Kia Carens and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, it is clear that Ertiga proves to be the more fuel-efficient option with its CNG and petrol powertrains. However, Kia Carens also offers a pocket-friendly option with its diesel powertrains. Also, since diesel rates are lower than petrol rates, it can be a good option for those who have a high daily running.
Summary: Both petrol and CNG variants of Maruti Ertiga lead to more fuel-cost savings as compared to the petrol and CNG variants of Kia Carens.
Also Read: Maruti Ertiga Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs CNG
Kia Carens vs Maruti Ertiga: Price Comparison
Now, let’s compare Kia Carens vs Maruti Ertiga on the basis of their ex-showroom prices in India. The below table gives the ex-showroom price of both these cars from their base to top models:
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Maruti Ertiga | LXi to ZXi | ₹ 8.90 lakh to ₹ 13.14 lakh |
| Kia Carens | Base to top model | ₹11.12 lakh to ₹12.98 lakh |
The base model of Maruti Ertiga is priced much lower than the base model of Kia Carens. However, the top-spec variant of Ertiga is priced slightly above the top-spec variant of Kia Carens. So, the most expensive car actually depends on the variant that you purchase.
Summary
Both Carens and Ertiga are exceptional cars in terms of cabin comfort and ride-quality. However, Ertiga proves to be a better option in terms of fuel-efficiency while Kia Carens is better for those who need a powerful driving experience. Kia Carens diesel variants are recommended for those who drive regularly on the highway. The NA petrol variants of Maruti Suzuki Ertiga are recommended for city driving and occasional highway driving. The CNG variants are more suitable for commercial car buyers and fleet owners due to their low running costs. However, driving them on ghats and inclined roads can be difficult due to their low power and mid-range pull.
Related Reads:
Maruti Ertiga vs Kia Carens Clavis Real World Mileage Comparison
Kia Carens vs Renault Triber Real World Mileage Comparison
Maruti Ertiga vs Maruti XL6 Real World Mileage Comparison
FAQs About Kia Carens vs Maruti Ertiga Mileage
Q. How much mileage does a Maruti Ertiga deliver in real-world conditions?
The real-world mileage of the Maruti Ertiga depends on its engine and powertrain configurations. The CNG variants of Ertiga offer a mileage of 24 km/kg on an average whereas the NA petrol variants deliver a mileage of up to 16.25 km/l on an average.
Q. Which car is suitable for driving on the highway: Maruti Suzuki Ertiga or Kia Carens?
Kia Carens delivers great mileage with its diesel variants and also offers a great combination of powerful driving dynamics and smooth ride-quality. So, it proves to be better for highway driving as compared to the Maruti Ertiga.
Q. Which features in Ertiga help improve its mileage in real-world conditions?
The Smart Hybrid Technology of Maruti Ertiga includes Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), torque assist, idle start-stop, and other features to improve its mileage in real-world conditions.
Q. Which features in Kia Carens help improve its mileage in real-world conditions?
Electronic throttle mode, Eco driving mode, and SmartStream powertrain technology are some of the key features in Kia Carens that help improve its mileage in real-world conditions.
Q. Which car is better for city driving: Kia Carens of Maruti Ertiga?
The NA petrol or CNG variants of Maruti Ertiga are better than the NA petrol and CNG variants of Kia Carens when it comes to city driving. This is purely from the point-of-view of mileage or fuel-efficiency.
