Verdict
At RM159,800, the Tiggo 8 undercuts the Carnival by RM29,088 and its 18.3-kWh battery brings a claimed 90 km EV range, useful if charging is part of your routine. It is also 430 mm shorter, 135 mm narrower and carries a far lower RM120 annual road tax. The Carnival answers with 11 seats rather than seven, a 3,090-mm wheelbase and a 440-Nm diesel engine. It is the clear people mover, but its RM561 road tax and 5,155-mm length demand more from the budget and parking space.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 8 if seven seats are enough and you want plug-in capability, stronger driver assistance and lower annual road tax.
Pick the Kia Carnival if carrying up to 11 people, sliding rear doors and flexible multi-row seating matter more than EV driving.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 8 RM159,800; Kia Carnival RM188,888.
- Seats: Chery Tiggo 8 7; Kia Carnival 11.
- Powertrain: Chery Tiggo 8 has a 201-hp, 310-Nm motor and 18.3-kWh battery; Kia Carnival has a 197-hp, 440-Nm 2.2-litre diesel.
- EV range: Chery Tiggo 8 90 km; Kia Carnival none.
- Length and wheelbase: Chery Tiggo 8 4,725 mm and 2,710 mm; Kia Carnival 5,155 mm and 3,090 mm.
- Road tax: Chery Tiggo 8 RM120 per year; Kia Carnival RM561 per year.
Tiggo 8
- 90 km EV range from an 18.3-kWh battery
- Blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- Seven-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty plus eight-year/160,000-km battery and drive-unit cover
- Seven seats versus the Carnival's 11
- 193-litre boot versus the Carnival's 56 litres
- No power sliding rear doors
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with sliding, reclining and removable second- and third-row seats
- 440 Nm diesel torque and eight-speed automatic
- Power sliding doors on both sides, plus second- and third-row sun shades
- RM29,088 higher purchase price
- RM561 annual road tax versus RM120
- No EV range, AC/DC charging or V2L capability
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM159,800✓ | RM188,888 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM561 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp at 5,500 rpm | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 215 Nm at 1,750 rpm | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 77 mm × 80.5 mm | 83 mm × 99.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 16 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 18.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 90 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | DHT | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,725 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,710 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | 1,916 kg | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 11 |
| Boot Space | 193 litres✓ | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag, Curtain Airbags) | 8 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat, Ventilated Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Sliding, Reclining and Removable 2nd Row with Tip-up Centre Seat, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Sliding, Reclining and Removable 3rd Row with Tip-up Centre Seat, Folding 4th Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Second Row | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10-speaker Sony Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km battery and drive unit warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Tiggo 8 & Carnival for sale
Tiggo 8 vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 8 or Kia Carnival better?
The Tiggo 8 is the better fit for a seven-seat household with charging access, thanks to its 90 km EV range, lower road tax and active safety kit. The Carnival is better when 11 seats and highly configurable rear rows are non-negotiable.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM29,088 more than the Chery Tiggo 8. The gap also comes with an annual road-tax difference of RM441 in the Chery's favour.
Which is easier to park and which carries more people?
The Tiggo 8 is easier to place: it is 430 mm shorter and 135 mm narrower. The Carnival carries 11 people to the Tiggo 8's seven, and has a 380-mm longer wheelbase.
