Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer carrying a large family, the Kia Carnival’s 11 seats, 3,090 mm wheelbase and power sliding rear doors answer a job the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe cannot. The Santa Fe is 325 mm shorter yet has a stated 628-litre boot against the Carnival’s 56 litres, and brings 10 airbags, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. Its hybrid-assisted 1.6 litre petrol drivetrain also means RM120 annual road tax, versus RM561 for the Carnival’s 2.2 litre diesel. Choose seating capacity or safety and driver assistance first; they point in opposite directions.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and active safety kit including autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Kia Carnival if carrying up to 11 people, using power sliding doors and having a 3,090 mm wheelbase matter more than boot volume and driver-assistance equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000; Kia Carnival RM188,888 — a RM36,112 gap.
- Seating: Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seats; Kia Carnival 11 seats.
- Wheelbase: Hyundai Santa Fe 2,815 mm; Kia Carnival 3,090 mm.
- Boot space: Hyundai Santa Fe 628 litres; Kia Carnival 56 litres.
- Engine torque: Hyundai Santa Fe 265 Nm; Kia Carnival 440 Nm.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Santa Fe RM120; Kia Carnival RM561.
Santa Fe
- 10 airbags, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree monitor
- Eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty
- Costs RM36,112 more than the Carnival
- Seven seats versus the Carnival’s 11
- 265 Nm engine torque versus 440 Nm
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with power sliding rear doors
- 440 Nm from the 2.2 litre diesel engine
- Lower purchase price and 3,090 mm wheelbase
- 56-litre boot versus the Santa Fe’s 628 litres
- Eight airbags versus the Santa Fe’s 10
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM225,000 | RM188,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM561 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | 83 mm × 99.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 16 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 64 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 264 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.49 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,815 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 67 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 11 |
| Boot Space | 628 litres✓ | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 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 2nd & 3rd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third 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, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker 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 Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| 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 | 160,000 km✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
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 Santa Fe & Carnival for sale
Santa Fe vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Carnival better?
The Carnival is better for maximum passenger capacity, with 11 seats and power sliding doors. The Santa Fe is better for a seven-seat family prioritising a 628-litre boot, 10 airbags, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM36,112 more than the Kia Carnival. The Santa Fe also has lower annual road tax at RM120, compared with RM561 for the Carnival.
Which has more usable luggage space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the larger stated boot at 628 litres, while the Kia Carnival is listed with 56 litres. The Carnival’s advantage is people-carrying capacity: it has 11 seats to the Santa Fe’s seven.
