BHPian SithDefender recently shared this with other enthusiasts:Kia Clavis EV: First ImpressionsChecked out the Clavis EV and felt it is a very good family EV in the current scenario. It offers plenty of space and seating configuration, packed in a car that feels more like a familar ICE car. I think this is a big USP for someone who feels modern EVs are like gadgets. Combine that with a very reasonable range and agreeable price for the convenience of a 7-seater, backed by Kia’s network and service, and you have a potential winner. The new steering wheel feels good to hold, if a tad small. The OCD-obsessed will hate the offset KIA emblem. Plenty of space in the rear, and you don’t really sit in a knees-up position even though the battery pack is underneath. The air purifier behind the driver seat juts into the rear space, though. And the Clavis EV does not come as a 6-seater with captain seats in the middle row. I felt the cabin could have been a little wider, and I am not exactly a fan of the blue-greige color theme inside. The “engine bay” has a small frunk for storage. Not much differentiation from the ICE version. Let’s look at the interiors and compare the front section with the Creta EV: Just like the Creta, the Clavis EV version gets better touches everywhere that makes it a nicer experience than it’s ICE counterpart. Perhaps the biggest distinction is right in front, where the center console is now a floating unit, just like the Hyundai twin. But then, the Creta EV looks rather barebone, with just exposed cupholders and a rotary switch. The Clavis is far more classy, with some buttons at the edge and a covered cupholder lid. And while Hyundai has retained the hideous piano black for their HVAC unit, Kia has opted for rotary controls and minimized the irritating glossy black sea. Even the top shelf is still hard plastic in the Creta EV, whereas the Clavis has the nicer denim-like texture feel. The steering wheel is good in the Creta EV with a simple 3-spoke design, but the Kia again looks a touch better with a flat bottom. It tends to get a little jittery over bad roads and has considerable body roll (experienced in the middle seat) during aggressive turns. This is a downer for me, since motion sickness is a big issue in our family. Overall, however, this is a very attractive proposition and worth considering for all the features and benefits of a 7-seater EV !Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
