New Delhi: Kia has quietly made a notable update to its Carens Clavis lineup in India. The company has added a new HTE(EX) trim to the ICE range, and this one change is likely to catch the attention of family car buyers who have been waiting for more features without jumping to higher variants.

The biggest talking point here is simple. The Kia Carens Clavis now gets a sunroof in the petrol G1.5 version for the first time. This update comes as part of Kia’s effort to freshen up the middle of its variant ladder, especially for buyers who want comfort features but still care about price.

Kia Carens Clavis HTE(EX) trim explained

The newly introduced HTE(EX) trim sits above the existing HTE(O) variant. It is available across all three ICE powertrains and comes only in a 7-seater layout.

Here is how the pricing stacks up, all ex-showroom India.

• G1.5 petrol HTE(EX): Rs 12,54,900
• G1.5 turbo petrol HTE(EX): Rs 13,41,900
• D1.5 diesel HTE(EX): Rs 14,52,900

The headline addition is the skylight electric sunroof on the G1.5 petrol model. This is the first time the naturally aspirated petrol Carens Clavis gets a sunroof, something that was earlier limited to higher trims and other powertrains.

What changes in the HTE(EX) variant

Kia has added a set of comfort and convenience features that many buyers usually look for during daily use. These are not cosmetic changes alone.

Key additions include:

• Sky light electric sunroof on G1.5 petrol
• Fully automatic temperature control
• LED DRLs and LED position lamps
• LED cabin lamps
• Auto up and down power window on the driver side

From personal experience, features like FATC and better cabin lighting matter more on long family trips than flashy add-ons. This trim seems to focus exactly on that kind of usage.

Powertrain options stay familiar

Mechanically, nothing changes. The Carens Clavis HTE(EX) continues with the same engine options that buyers already know.

• 1.5-litre petrol engine
• 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine
• 1.5-litre diesel engine

All engines are offered with existing gearbox options linked to each powertrain. Kia has not touched performance figures or tuning with this update.

Why this update matters for buyers

The Carens Clavis has been popular among buyers upgrading from smaller MPVs and compact SUVs. Many buyers earlier had to stretch their budget just to get features like a sunroof or automatic climate control.

By adding these features to the HTE(EX) trim, Kia is clearly trying to plug that gap. It also keeps the Carens competitive in a segment where feature lists often influence buying decisions more than engine specs.