THERE are signs that those kidcarrying, mum-driven MPVs jostling for parking spaces outside the school gates are downsizing.

“Demand in Europe for bigger MPVs has slumped”, say Kia.

This third-generation, all-new Carens is better-looking inside and out, while slightly shorter, as well as narrower and lower, than the previous version. Based on the award-winning c’eed, it completes the brand design re-think which has helped boost the Korean maker’s sales, not forgetting the influence of that industry-leading, transferable seven-year warranty.

Prices start significantly higher: £17,895 compared to £14,700, but this time seven seats are standard, so little change at that level. A fiveseat alternative will continue in some European markets, but not in the UK.

In this respect, the new Carens replaces the bigger, seven-seat Sedona, discontinued here and due for replacement exclusively for the USA.

A six-strong Carens range perms a choice of three engines – a 133bhp, 1.6 petrol and a 1.7 turbo diesel tuned to 114 or 134bhp – with sixspeed manual or automatic transmission and three levels of trim, topping out at £23,895.

Inside the more compact body, a 50mm longer wheelbase and lower seats mean passenger room is claimed to be not compromised overall, although the split rear pair should be reserved for infants rather than juniors and are awkward to access through the conventionallyhinged, rather than sliding, rear doors. The three individual middlerow chairs do slide and fold, which helps, but they do not return automatically to their original position.

All of these rear seats can be dropped easily in stages into a flat floor 1,010mm wide and a generous 1,600mm long on our tape, or well over 5ft.

There is a clever underfloor trough to stow neatly the luggage cover cartridge when it’s not in use. In addition, the front passenger seat folds down to take exceptionally long loads. Generous storage includes a large, cooled glovebox, central cubby box and under-floor lockers. The middle-row centre seat folds to form a table and in most versions aircraft type tables pull down from the backs of the front seats in familiar MPV style.

We tried what is expected to be the best-selling Carens, the 114bhp diesel manual allied to the middle ‘2’ spec trim at £20,595. This brings 16in alloys, automatic lights and wipers, dual zone air-con, roof rails, fog lights, luggage net, reversing sensors, folding door mirrors and chrome window trim.

They add to the standard cruise control, electric windows, selectable steering assistance, hill-start assist, six airbags and six-speaker stereo ready for iPod, MP3 and Bluetooth with voice recognition and music streaming. Sat-nav is not a built-in option, even with top ‘3’ spec.

This engine, also found in the Sportage and Optima, pulls well, especially in the flexible third of six easy gears. There is a slight boom at certain speeds if you don’t keep the revs up, otherwise the Carens is quietly comfortable, if no speedster.

It returned just over 47mpg, on one two-hour cross-country journey with two aboard, against the official combined figure of 60.1. The 1.6 petrol on a shorter journey gave 38.1 mpg.

Kia sales in the UK, totalling 66,000 last year, are targeted for 70,000 this year. Current favourite is the Sportage, then Picanto, Rio and c’eed. The Carens is predicted to sell around 2,500 this year, and up to 3,500 in the full year of 2014, split equally between business and private buyers.

Fact file

Kia Carens 1.7 CRDI 2 Ecodynamics

PRICE: from £17,895

ENGINE: 1,685cc diesel, producing 114bhp

TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual

PERFORMANCE: top speed 112mph; 0-60mph in 12.6 seconds

ECONOMY: official combined 60.1 mpg; on test 47.2 mpg

CO2 RATING: 124g/km