Kia kept the original Carens on sale to the point where it was beginning to outstay its quite restrained welcome. The keen pricing for this compact MPV (a bigger car than some other mini-MPVs) only just made up for the rather stodgy exterior styling and the dowdy interior. And, of course, the original catalogue didn't offer a diesel engine option, something which buyers in this class, if they mean to load their cars with family and leisure gear at holidays and weekends, have come to expect.With the latest model, all those criticisms have been answered. The outward appearance of the Carens has been greatly improved by the Sedona-style front end, there's a more adventurous interior, and the engine choices have been widened by the availability of a Hyundai-sourced two-litre common-rail turbo diesel.The styling problem was the old business of Korean designers not quite getting the hang of what European customers want. Now that the Kia importer is owned by the parent company, as it has been since last August, there's more direct input from the UK end of the business, and that should continue to pay off.In the 2003 version the grille, bonnet, front bumper, D-pillar, tailgate and rear lights have all been changed, although there's still quite an uncompromising look about the rear three-quarter view. Owners of MPVs of whatever size are used to that, of course, because generous rear headroom and plenty of load space are among their requirements.A five-seat layout is standard, with a 60/40 split rear seat. Lifting the load floor reveals a couple of underfloor stowage areas, with the spare wheel another level below. A hold-down net with hooks to keep loose luggage in place is provided, and there's a convenient power socket. The latest model has more in the way of small stowage places dotted around the passenger cabin, including seat pockets, map and bottle holders in the doors, cup holders and a sunglasses box.The almost closed-Venetian-blind design of the fascia top is a bit of an eye-blinker at first, but Kia has gone out of its way to freshen up the Carens interior, with a revised instrument layout, a rather neat four-spoke steering wheel, some in-your-face metal-effect trim and generally better materials all round.It has also made serious efforts to improve the sound-deadening, with extra insulation and modified engine mountings, and to offer extra crash protection with some reinforcements to the bodyshell. As a result, the new model is almost 200kg heavier than its predecessor, but all in a good cause.The SE is the higher of the two specification levels, but even the LX, available with a 1.8-litre petrol engine from as low as £9995, is pretty well kitted out. With the SE, you get alloy wheels, park distance sensors, rain sensor wipers, climate control, side airbags and a CD player, as well as a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearlever knob.A slide/tilt glass sunroof is standard on the manual transmission versions, but not on the SE automatic, and all the diesel models come with a separate electric heater which warms up the passenger cabin, after a cold start, more quickly than the engine would on its own. While Kia is often regarded as a budget player, it doesn't necessarily skimp on specification.Especially with the heavier weight of the new model to haul around, the turbo diesel engine, which is available with the LX specification at £10,895, makes a lot of sense. Maximum torque of 180lb/ft at 2000rpm also lets the Carens pull strongly on hills, and the latest suspension settings, combined with wider tyres, make it feel more stable when proceeding smartly on country roads. ABS and EBD allow for reliable hard braking.Like the Rio, the 2003 Carens is a considerable improvement on its predecessor, and the availability of a turbo diesel engine is very welcome. Engine 1991cc, 4 cylinders Power 111bhp Fuel/CO2 40.4mpg / 185g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 13.5 seconds Top speed 107mph Price £12,895 Details correct at publication date