The initial three generations had a MPV body style and were marketed worldwide, with presence in its home country South Korea, in Europe, and North America since the second-generation.

The Carens/Rondo followed Kia's introduction at the Frankfurt Motor Show of the Multi-S,[8] essentially the Carens/Rondo in concept form — the S standing for Sporty, Spacious and Smart.

The Multi-S differed significantly from the production model, only its inclusion of a dual panel sunroof running the length of the roof.

In Australia, it is only available as a seven passenger vehicle with a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine and a choice of an automatic or manual transmission, depending on trim level.

Standard features depending on market include: sixteen inch alloy wheels, AM/FM/CD player/Sirius Satellite Radio/MP3 Capability, iPod auxiliary jack, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, front/side/full length Side curtain airbags, four wheel disc brakes, ABS, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring system, LATCH, child safety door locks, tilt steering column, front and rear twelve volt outlets, front and rear cup holders.

Options include: moonroof, leather interior, heated front seats, cruise control, keyless entry, Infinity ten speaker stereo.

In North America, the third generation Kia Rondo was only available in Canada, due to slow sales in the United States.

In September 2016, the Carens was given a minor facelift with redesigned fascias, wheels and lights, as well as an enlarged "Tiger Nose" grille.

In March 2013, Kia Motors collaborated with DreamWorks Animation to cross promote the Carens with the film The Croods.

It is marketed by Kia as a "recreational vehicle" (RV) with 6-seater and 7-seater configurations offered and was developed with an emphasis on space for third-row seat occupants.

[22] Kia sponsored Global NCAP crashworthiness assessment for the Carens in March 2022 with results published in late June.

In the frontal offset test, front occupant head and neck protection was good and airbag contact was stable, an improvement over its partner model the Seltos.

[31] With unspecified changes to the restraint systems for units produced from 11 December 2023, dummy values in a subsequent retest indicated a somewhat high but not unacceptable risk of serious or fatal neck injury, while other problems persisted.