THE Kia Carens is knocking established names off the top of cost of ownership charts thanks to its low retail price - joining its larger stablemate, the Sedona, as the cheapest MPV to operate in the market.

The Carens has been rated the cheapest compact MPV to own over three years/60,000 miles according to motor trade analyst CAP, toppling cars like the Renault Scenic, Vauxhall Zafira and Citroen Berlingo from the top spots.

CAP figures, which estimate the cost of depreciation, fuel and servicing, place the Carens 1.8 SX first and second in its class (small MPV 1.6 - 1.9 litre) at 23.3p per mile for the five-seater and 23.6p for the six-seater.

The more expensive GSX versions of the model also make it into the top 10 in eighth and 10th places. It is the first appearance for the Carens in the CAP report since its launch in July.

Mark Norman, editor of Cap Monitor - Future Residual Values, said: 'This is the first month the Kia Carens has been listed and shows that over three years/60,000 miles the SX model has the lowest running costs of any small MPV on the market. It's because the Carens is about £2,000 cheaper than its competitors that it does so well in running costs. You can't lose £2,000 you haven't spent.'

The Carens joins the Kia Sedona in CAP Monitor as the cheapest-to-run large MPV, filling the first eight places for petrol MPVs of 2.5-litres and above and the first seven in the equivalent diesel MPV category.

Guy Jones, marketing director of Kia, said: 'Customers are now clearly aware that Kia cars offer market-leading value for money.'