Kia introduced the Carens on the market in 1999 as an important contender in the compact MPV segment and sold it as Rondo on specific markets.
By the 2000s, the Korean carmaker was no longer a small, inexperienced carmaker, and it dared to work harder and offer new alternatives for more than two segments. The Carens was also known as the Rondo on the U.S. market, but its main target was the European continent, where it fought against the respectable Renault Scenic and Citroen Xsara Picasso.

While its looks resembled an oversized station wagon hatchback, the customers couldn’t ignore its affordable price, which, in many situations, mattered more than its look. Its front area featured a short slated grille and a pair of headlights narrower on the inside. The corner-mounted turn-signals featured clear lenses with yellow bulbs. From its sides, the car revealed a very tall greenhouse that led to a big headroom for its passengers. The thick C-pillar was blamed for lowering the rear three-quarter visibility, while the masked D-pillars made the car looks like it had a wrapped-around rear window area over the tailgate.

Inside, the Carens/Rondo offered room for seven in a 2-3-2 configuration with limited legroom for the third row. Its sliding middle row made it possible for its occupants to enjoy a better room if nobody sat in the rearmost seats. With all the seats in place, there was virtually no trunk area left.

Kia offered the Carens with a four-engine choice, including a new 2.0-liter turbo-diesel version. For specific markets, it offered the car with CNG engines and automatic transmissions.