A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Everest holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Carens.
Carens starts ZAR 425,005 cheaperCarens from ZAR 399,995 · Everest from ZAR 825,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Carens
Everest
Maximum Power
Carens85 kW @ 4000 rpm
Everest184 kW @ 3250 rpm
Maximum Torque
Carens250 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm
Everest600 Nm
Engine Size
Carens1493 cc
Everest2993 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Carens18.9 km/l
Everest11.8 km/l
Ground Clearance
Carens180 mm
Everest226 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
KIA Carens
1.5D SX Auto
Hagalu editorial rating
4.4/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Multiple Ford South Africa factory exterior colours
Exterior Colour Options
5
5
Exterior Mirror Electric
Yes
-
Auto Headlights
Yes
-
Automatic Headlamps
Yes
-
Headlamps
Yes
Yes
Headlights
Yes
Yes
Headlight Type
Yes
Yes
Exterior Mirror Folding
Yes
-
Headlamp Levelling
Yes
-
Daytime Running Lights
Yes
LED daytime running lights
Front Fog Lamps
Yes
Yes
Rear Spoiler
Yes
-
Exterior Door Handle Colour
Body Colour
-
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
Not Available
Active Exhaust
Not Available
Not Available
Electric Blind Sunroof
Standard
-
Front Overhang
830 mm
-
Rear Overhang
940 mm
-
Alloy Wheel Design
Alloy
-
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Not Available
Spec
Carens
Everest
Chassis Type
Unibody
Ladder Frame
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
Independent double wishbone
Front Spring Type
Coil Spring
-
Rear Spring Type
Coil Spring
-
Shock Absorber Type
Telescopic
-
Front Anti-Roll Bar
Yes
-
Rear Anti-Roll Bar
Yes
-
Power Steering
Yes
-
Steering Column
Adjustable
-
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
Independent double wishbone
Suspension
MacPherson Strut
-
Shock Absorbers
Telescopic
-
Chassis Material
Unibody
Ladder Frame
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
Not Available
Front Track Width
1563 mm
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
1587 mm
Not Applicable
Rear Suspension
Coupled Torsion Beam
Coil spring with Watts linkage
Rear Suspension Type
Coupled Torsion Beam
Coil spring with Watts linkage
Rear Axle Type
Coupled Torsion Beam
-
Spec
Carens
Everest
Steering Type
Yes
-
Steering Adjustment
Tilt and Telescopic
-
Rear USB Ports
Yes
-
Instrument Cluster Type
Digital
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
Rear AC Vents
Yes
-
Heated Seats
Yes
Yes
Cooled Seats
Yes
-
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Yes
Seat Material
Leather
Leather-accented upholstery
Fabric Seats
No
-
Leather Seats
Yes
-
Driver Seat Adjustment
8-Way Power
Power adjustment
Adjustable Driver Seat
8-Way Power
-
Seat Adjustment
8-Way Power
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-Way Manual
Power adjustment
Adjustable Front Seat
4-Way Manual
-
Driver Lumbar Support
Yes
-
Memory Seats
Yes
-
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Yes
Folding Rear Seats
Yes
-
Front Headrest
Adjustable
-
Rear Headrest
Adjustable
-
Front Armrest
Centre Armrest
-
Rear Armrest
Yes
-
Door Map Pockets
Yes
-
Cup Holders
4
-
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Yes
Interior Colour Options
Black
5
Interior Courtesy Lamps
7-seat layout with sliding second row (EX+), 10.25-inch touchscreen (EX+), panoramic sunroof (SX), ventilated front seats (SX), digital cluster (SX), full ADAS suite (SX), 6 airbags
Premium interior design, large touchscreen, digital cluster, driver assistance features
Boot Space Seats Down
1660
-
Seat Belt Warning
Yes
-
Seat Trim
Leather
Leather-accented upholstery
Leather Accented Seat Trim
Leather
-
Driver Seat
8-Way Power
-
Seat Fold Type
Yes
-
Armrest Front
Centre Armrest
-
Armrest Rear
Yes
-
Rear Seat Centre Armrest
Yes
-
Interior Colours
Black
5
Interior Trim Colour
Black
-
Seat Adjustment Driver Backrest
Yes
-
Front Shoulder Room
1421 mm
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
1441 mm
Not Applicable
Spec
Carens
Everest
Front Brake Disc Diameter
300 mm
-
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Brake Type Rear
Disc
-
Rear Brake Drum Diameter
262 mm
-
Parking Brake Type
Electronic
-
Front Tyre Width
235 mm
-
Rear Tyre Width
235 mm
-
Wheel Type
Alloy
-
Tyre Type
Radial
-
Tyre Load Index
107
-
Tyre Speed Rating
H
-
Spare Tyre
Temporary Spare
Full-size spare wheel
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary Spare
Full-size spare wheel
Tyre Pressure Monitoring
Yes
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Display
Yes
-
Hydraulic Brake Assist
Yes
-
Autonomous Emergency Brake
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
-
Spare Wheel Size Type
Temporary Spare
-
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic parking brake
Electric Park Brake
Electronic
-
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
Not Available
Steering Wheel Cruise Controls
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Phone Controls
Yes
-
Leather Steering Wheel
Leather
-
Steering Wheel Trim
Leather
-
Brakes
Ventilated Disc
-
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Yes
-
Cornering Brake Control
Yes
-
Auto Brake Hold
Electronic
-
Front Brake Type
Disc
Ventilated disc
Brake Type Front
Disc
-
Tyre Size
215/55 R17
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
215/55 R17
Not Available
Wheel Diameter
215/55 R17
Not Available
Wheel Material
Alloy
-
Wheels
Alloy
-
Wheel Size Type
215/55 R17
-
Spec
Carens
Everest
Infotainment Screen
12.3
12
Infotainment Display
12.3
-
Infotainment System
12.3-inch Touchscreen
SYNC 4 infotainment system
Infotainment Screen Size
12.3
12
Touchscreen
12.3
12
Navigation System
Yes
-
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Yes
Wireless Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
USB Ports
4
USB-A and USB-C
Rear Usb
Yes
-
AUX Input
No
-
Wi-Fi Hotspot
No
-
Number of Speakers
8
10
Premium Audio
Yes
-
FM Radio
Yes
-
Radio
Yes
-
Voice Recognition
Yes
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
Yes
12.4-inch digital instrument cluster
Head Up Display
Yes
-
Audio Controls On Steering
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
-
Multi Information Display
Digital
-
Display Audio
12.3-inch Touchscreen
-
Smartphone Connectivity
Yes
-
Connected Services
Yes
SYNC
Audio Speakers
8
10
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
4
-
Voice Control
Yes
-
Audio
Yes
-
Audio System
Yes
-
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Wireless Android Auto
Spec
Carens
Everest
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
5 years / unlimited km
Basic Warranty
5 Years / Unlimited km
4 years / 120 000 km
Warranty Years
5 Years / Unlimited km
4 years / 120 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years / Unlimited km
4 years / unlimited km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years / Unlimited km
4 years / unlimited km
Warranty
5 Years / Unlimited km
4 years / 120 000 km
Warranty Roadside Assistance
5 Years / Unlimited km
4 years / unlimited km
Warranty Kilometers
5 Years / Unlimited km
4 years / 120 000 km
Spec
Carens
Everest
Body Style
MPV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Segment
MPV
SUV
Vehicle Type
MPV
SUV
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note
Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Gravity Blue, Pewter Olive, Snow White Pearl
White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue
Tare Mass Kg
1745 kg
2450 kg
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Production Status
active
active
Model Introduced Year
2026
2022
Generation
Fourth-generation Kia Carens (KY) facelift; South African launch May 2026
Current-generation Ford Everest
Facelift History
Current facelift launched in South Africa in May 2026
Major generational update in 2022 with improved safety, technology, and design
Facelift Launched Since
2026
2022
Drivetrain Note
-
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0TD V6 Platinum 10AT 4WD
Spec
Carens
Everest
Ownership Role
Flagship
Flagship
Price Zar
599995 ZAR
1340000 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current official retail price
Current listed price
Starting Price
599995
1340000
Starting Price Zar
599995
1340000
Spec
Carens
Everest
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Diesel
3-litre Turbocharged Diesel
Fuel Type
Diesel
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1493 cc
2993 cc
Cylinders
4
6
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
24
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Common Rail Direct Injection
Common-rail direct injection
Compression Ratio
16.0:1
16.0:1
Bore
75 mm
82.0 mm
Stroke
84.5 mm
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
85 kW @ 4000 rpm
184 kW @ 3250 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
4WD
Launch Control
No
No
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Code
D4FA
Ford 3.0 V6 turbo diesel
Maximum Torque
250 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm
600 Nm
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
10-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
170 km/h
210 km/h
0-100 km/h
13.1 sec
8.2 sec
Quarter Mile
18.4 sec
16.2 sec
Drive Modes
No
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Rev Limiter
4500 rpm
4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
57.1 kW/tonne
75.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
168.0 Nm/tonne
244.9 Nm/tonne
In depth: how these cars differ
This Carens and Everest comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Carens 39 vs Everest 88.
Efficiency index: Carens 72 vs Everest 52.
Safety-equipment index: Carens 93 vs Everest 92.
Practicality index: Carens 56 vs Everest 77.
Ownership-cover index: Carens 54 vs Everest not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Carens and Everest image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Everest leads by 17 points
Everest holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Carens.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Everest
Performance
88/100
Efficiency
52/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
77/100
Carens
Performance
39/100
Efficiency
72/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
56/100
Ownership
54/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexFord Everest
leads the specification evidence index with 79 pts
vs 62 pts for Carens
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Everest leads. However, Carens may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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