The Kia Carens is a three-row multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) styled like an SUV. Toyota Innova Crysta is a premium MPV with a 6-7-seat configuration. The Kia Carens is now in its fourth generation and was launched in India in 2022. The Innova Crysta was launched in 2016 and now belongs to the second-generation lineup. While both these MPVs are available with petrol and diesel variants, only the Kia Carens has a CNG version. Kia Carens outsmarts the Innova Crysta in mileage for its CNG and diesel variants, delivering an average of 19.5 km/Kg and 18 km/l, respectively.
The Innova Crysta offers more powerful engines for its petrol and diesel variants. It comes with a 2.7L Dual VVT-i Petrol and 2.4L GD Turbo Diesel engine. Its petrol engine is paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The diesel engine is only available with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Kia Carens has a 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol engine with a 5-speed manual transmission, a 1.0L GDi turbo petrol engine with either a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT transmission, and a 1.5LCRDi diesel engine with a 6-speed gearbox in manual or automatic transmission. This article compares the mileage delivered by these powertrains and how it affects overall fuel cost.
Table of Contents
Kia Carens vs Toyota Innova Crysta Specifications
First of all, let us have a look at the basic specifications of the Kia Carens and Toyota Innova Crysta in the table given below.
| Specification | Kia Carens | Toyota Innova Crysta |
| Engine | 1.5L Petrol 1.5L CRDi Diesel 1.5L CNG | 2.7L Dual VVT-i Petrol2.4L GD Turbo Diesel |
| Displacement | Petrol: 1497 cc Diesel: 1493 ccCNG: 1497 cc | Petrol: 2694 cc Diesel: 2393 cc |
| Power | Petrol: 114 PS Diesel: 115 PSCNG: 114 PS | Petrol: 164 PS Diesel: 150 PS |
| Torque | Petrol: 143.8 Nm Diesel: 250 Nm CNG: 123.2 Nm | Petrol: 245 NM Diesel: 343 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed MT | 5-Speed MT6-Speed AT |
| Drive layout | 2-Wheel Drive (2WD) | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) |
| Kerb weight | Petrol: 1330 kg Diesel: 1480 kgCNG: 1221 Kg | Petrol: 1825 Kg Diesel: 1800 Kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | Petrol: 45 litres Diesel: 45 litresCNG: 60 litres | Petrol: 65 litres Diesel: 55 litres |
A quick view of the basic specifications indicates that the Toyota Innova Crysta has a more powerful engine that can deliver much higher power and torque than the Kia Carens. It also offers more powertrain choices. While the Kia Carens has a 2-wheel drive, the Innova Crysta enjoys a rear-wheel drive layout. The Crysta also has an advantage with a higher fuel tank capacity, while the Carens stay superior only in having a CNG version, which is not available with the Crysta.
Kia Carens vs Toyota Innova Crysta: ARAI Mileage Figures
The ARAI is the official fuel efficiency of vehicles, certified by the Automotive Research Association of India. The mileage mentioned here is obtained after trials under a controlled environment. This is not the actual mileage these cars can deliver on the road. The ARAI mileage of different powertrains of Kia Carens and Innova Crysta is given in the table below.
| Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Kia Carens – ARAI Mileage (km/l) | Toyota Innova Crysta – ARAI Mileage (km/l) |
| 1.5L NA 6MT | Petrol | 15.7 km/l | — |
| 1.5L CRDi 6MT | Diesel | 21.3 km/l | — |
| 1.5L CNG 6MT | Petrol+CNG | 23-24 Km/Kg | — |
| 2.7L Dual VVT-i MT | Petrol | — | 9.89 km/l |
| 2.7L Dual VVT-i AT | Petrol | — | 10.83 km/l |
| 2.4L GD Turbo MT | Diesel | — | 15.1 km/l |
When the mileage is compared, the Kia Carens delivers stellar performance with a whopping 21.3 Km/l for diesel and an average of 23.5 Km/Kg for the CNG versions. Despite the powerful engine, the Innova Crysta can deliver a best of only 15.1 km/l in its diesel variants. The mileage of the petrol variants is very low in comparison.
Kia Carens vs Toyota Innova Crysta: Real-World Fuel Efficiency
While the ARAI mileage looks promising, it is just an indicator of the maximum efficiency for these cars. It is the real-world numbers that matter. Here is a quick overview of the city and highway mileages of Kia Carens and Toyota Innova Crysta. To make the comparison easier, let’s split them into different fuel types.
| Kia Carens (Petrol) | Toyota Innova Crysta (Petrol) | |
| City | Manual: 10 to 12 km/l | MT: 8 to 9.5 km/lAT: 7.5 to 8.5 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 14 to 16 km/l | MT: 9.5 to 10.5 km/lAT: 9 to 9.5 km/l |
| Average | Manual: 13 km/l | MT: 9 km/lAT: 8.5 km/l |
| Tank range | 500 to 700 Km | 450 to 500 Km |
The actual mileage range for the Kia Carens petrol variants is much higher than what is delivered by the Crysta. The winner stays the same on both city roads and highways: Kia Carens. The Crysta can deliver an average mileage of just below 10 km/l. The Carens has good city mileage while it excels on the highways.
| Kia Carens (Diesel) | Toyota Innova Crysta (Diesel) | |
| City | Manual: 15 to 17 km/l | Manual: 12 to 13 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 19 to 21 km/l | Manual: 14-15 km/l |
| Average | Manual: 18 km/l | Manual: 13.5 km/l |
| Tank range | 750 to 900 km | 600 to 650 km |
When it comes to the diesel variants, the Crysta shows better performance than its petrol variants, but the Carens still stays ahead. The Carens delivers a much higher fuel efficiency on highways and is an excellent choice for longer trips.
| Kia Carens (CNG) | Toyota Innova Crysta (CNG) | |
| City | 16 to 18 Km/Kg | — |
| Highway | 20 to 24 Km/Kg | — |
| Average | 19.5 Km/Kg | — |
| Tank range | 900-1000 Km | — |
The real-world fuel efficiency of the Carens CNG is just below the threshold of what the ARAI claims. Since the Crysta is not available in a CNG version, there is nothing to compare it with.
Also Read: Kia Carens Alternatives: Competitors of Kia Carens
Kia Carens vs Toyota Innova Crysta: Fuel Cost Comparison
Although fuel efficiency is the crucial factor that helps people decide which car to choose, what really matters is how the fuel efficiency is converted into expenses. The fuel cost is the ultimate game changer while choosing a car, and here, we will be comparing the fuel cost of Kia Carens and Innova Crysta. Let’s set the monthly distance travelled at 1500 km. The fuel cost is set at the average rate of Rs. 110 for petrol, Rs. 90 for CNG and Rs. 100 for diesel.
| Carens Petrol | Innova Crysta Petrol | Carens CNG | Carens Diesel | Innova Crysta Diesel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 115 L | 175L | 77 Kg | 84L | 112L |
| Avg. Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 12,650 | ₹ 19,250 | ₹ 6930 | ₹ 8400 | ₹ 12,320 |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 1.51 lakhs | ₹2.31 lakhs | ₹ 83,160 | ₹ 1.01 lakhs | ₹1.47 lakhs |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 7.59 lakhs | ₹11.55 lakhs | ₹ 4.15 lakhs | ₹ 5.04 lakhs | ₹7.39 lakhs |
The CNG version of Kia Carens is the best choice to save on fuel cost. Its diesel variant has a slightly higher fuel cost, but over a period of 5 years, that is still at least 2 lakhs more than the best fuel cost of the Toyota Innova Crysta, which is its diesel variant. The Carens petrol variant seems highly expensive and can cost over 1.51 lakhs per annum. The Crysta petrol variant is highly expensive and is not a good choice for those who are budget-conscious.
Also Read: Toyota Innova Crysta Alternatives: Competitors of Toyota Innova Crysta
Kia Carens vs Toyota Innova Crysta Mileage Vs Competitors
Now let’s compare the mileage of Kia Carens and Toyota Innova Crysta with their direct competitors such as Maruti Ertiga and Toyota Innova Hycross. It will give you an idea about where the Carens and Crysta stand in the MPV segment when compared to their competitors.
| Model | Petrol Mileage | Diesel Mileage | CNG/Alternative Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Carens | 13 km/l | 18 km/l | 19.5 Km/Kg |
| Toyota Innova Crysta | 9 km/l | 13.5 km/l | NA |
| Maruti Ertiga | 17 km/l | NA | 24 Km/Kg |
| Toyota Innova Hycross | 13 km/l | NA | 15 km/l |
Kia Carens vs Toyota Innova Crysta Price
The final decision to buy a car is based on the fuel cost and the ex-showroom price. The ex-showroom price range of Carens and Crysta is shown in the table below.
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Kia Carens | Smart Petrol to Fearless+PS | ₹ 10.91 to ₹ 20.20 lakhs |
| Toyota Innova Crysta | G to ZX | ₹19.72 lakhs to ₹ 26.77 lakhs |
The Kia Carens is a much more economical choice than the Toyota Innova Crysta. It has a much lower initial cost. The cost of the top trim of the Kia Carens is slightly more than the base variant of the Innova Crysta.
Summary
The Kia Carens is a better choice than the Toyota Innova Crysta for fuel economy. Although the Crysta is popular in the MPV segment, it lags behind in mileage compared to the Kia Carens. The diesel and CNG variants of the Kia Carens deliver higher mileage and can save more on fuel economy. The CNG variant of the Kia Carens returns 19.5 km/l, while its diesel variant shows the best performance at 18 km/l. The best the Crysta could deliver is around 13.5 km/l with its diesel variants.
Kia Carens also has a lower initial investment than what is needed for a Crysta. The Kia Carens is a good choice if your focus is on getting high mileage and having economical fuel expenses. The Innova Crysta can deliver powerful performance on the road but has much lower mileage. It is more suited for those looking for a chauffeur-driven car and for those less concerned about fuel expenses.
Also Read: Kia Carens Running Cost Breakdown: 5-Year Service Cost, Fuel Cost
FAQs
Q. Which one gives better mileage on long highway trips, Kia Carens or Toyota Innova Crysta?
The Kia Carens can be more fuel efficient than the Innova Crysta on longer highway trips. The Crysta is decent on the highways, but the heavier body could mean more fuel consumption and may not be the most economical option if you are planning long road trips.
Q. Which engine of Kia Carens offers the best real-world fuel economy?
The Kia Carens CNG engine can deliver the best mileage in the real world. It averages 24 Km/Kg and can be a good choice for daily driving. But if you are going on longer trips, the diesel engine would be better because it is a more powerful engine. It also gives a good mileage of 18 km/l.
Q. How good is the Innova Crysta diesel in stop-and-go traffic?
The Innova Crysta diesel engine can be comfortable in stop-and-go traffic. But starting and stopping all the time can take more fuel. If you can drive it at a steady pace, it can maintain a consistent fuel economy and may not add more burden on the fuel cost.
Q. Does carrying a full load significantly affect Carens mileage?
Yes, it can affect the mileage of the car in general. If you are in the full or double row and have extra heavy luggage, then the mileage can go down a lot. In city traffic, it takes a little time to get up to speed. If you can maintain a steady pace on highways, it can do better.
Q. Which is more fuel efficient between Kia Carens and Innova Crysta for long-distance travelling?
For frequent city travel, the Kia Carens is the better choice than the Toyota Innova Crysta. It is lighter, has better mileage, and is a good choice. Both diesel and CNG variants of the Carens are suitable for frequent city rides.
