Kia Carens vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Comparison 2026: Price, Mileage, Features

Comparison overview: The Kia Carens starts at ₹11.02 L and the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga at ₹8.85 L, a difference of ₹2.17 L ex-showroom. On-road in New Delhi that gap becomes roughly ₹2.41 L. Here is what the extra money actually buys.

Engine and performance: The Kia Carens uses a 1,493cc Diesel/Petrol/CNG making 113.42 - 114.41 bhp and listed torque with Manual. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga uses a 1,462cc Petrol/CNG making 101.64bhp@6000rpm,86.63bhp@5500rpm and listed torque with Automatic/Manual.

Mileage and running cost: These two figures are not like for like. The Kia Carens number is for the Diesel/Petrol/CNG Manual and the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga number is for the Petrol/CNG Automatic/Manual, so compare the variants you are actually shortlisting.

Only the Kia Carens comes with a factory CNG option at 12.6 kmpl, which is the cheapest way to run either car in the city.

What one gives that the other does not: The Kia Carens adds Curtain Airbag, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Hill Descent Control, Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock and Global NCAP Safety Rating. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga adds Anti-Theft Device, Rear Window Wiper, Rear Window Washer, Rear Window Defogger and Alloy Wheels. The rest of both spec sheets is shared.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga if you drive mostly in the city, you want the lower running cost, and you would rather keep the ₹2.17 L for your down payment than spend it on features.

Buy the Kia Carens if you do regular highway runs, you carry luggage or a pram often, and you want Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) without waiting for the next facelift.

The one thing that settles it: Kia Carens offers Curtain Airbag.

Before you sign anything:

Ex-showroom price is not what you pay. Add registration, road tax, insurance and handling, and expect the final figure to land ten to twelve percent higher. Road tax changes state to state, so a car that costs the same in two cities does not cost the same to own.

Ask the dealer four things before you book. What is the current waiting period for the variant you want. What is the on-road figure.

Then drive both cars back to back on the same day, on a road you actually use. Take your family. Put your usual luggage in the boot. Most people decide in the first ten minutes, and it is rarely for the reason they expected.