Verdict
The Hyundai Staria costs RM179,888, RM10,000 less than the Kia Carnival, yet brings a much longer 3,273 mm wheelbase, 430-litre boot and 10 seats. That is the stronger brief for big-family and airport runs with luggage. The Carnival answers with 197 hp and 440 Nm against 175 hp and 431 Nm, 11 seats, eight airbags, 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control and powered sliding doors. Its 56-litre boot is a serious compromise when every seat is occupied. The Kia is the more richly equipped people mover; the Hyundai is the more practical load carrier with longer warranty cover.
Pick the Hyundai Staria if you need a 430-litre boot, a 3,273 mm wheelbase and eight years/160,000 km of warranty cover for RM10,000 less.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you want 197 hp, 11 seats, eight airbags and powered sliding doors, and can live with a 56-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Staria RM179,888; Kia Carnival RM188,888.
- Output: Hyundai Staria 175 hp and 431 Nm; Kia Carnival 197 hp and 440 Nm.
- Seating and boot: Hyundai Staria 10 seats and 430 litres; Kia Carnival 11 seats and 56 litres.
- Wheelbase: Hyundai Staria 3,273 mm; Kia Carnival 3,090 mm.
- Safety: Hyundai Staria six airbags; Kia Carnival eight airbags.
- Warranty: Hyundai Staria eight years/160,000 km; Kia Carnival five years/150,000 km.
Staria
- RM10,000 lower purchase price
- 430-litre boot versus 56 litres
- Eight-year, 160,000 km warranty
- 175 hp and 431 Nm trail the Carnival's 197 hp and 440 Nm
- Six airbags versus eight
- Manual air-con and no powered sliding doors
Carnival
- 197 hp and 440 Nm diesel
- 11 seats and eight airbags
- Powered sliding doors and 360-degree camera
- RM10,000 more expensive
- 56-litre boot versus 430 litres
- Five-year, 150,000 km warranty is shorter
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM179,888✓ | RM188,888 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM599 | RM561✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Geometry Turbocharger | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,199 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | 175 hp at 3,800 rpm | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 431 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 85.4 mm × 96 mm | 83 mm × 99.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 16 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.4 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 185 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,253 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,997 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,990 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,273 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 10 | 11 |
| Boot Space | 430 litres✓ | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/65R17 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/65R17 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Kumho PorTran KC53 | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 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 Sliding Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 10 Three-point | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Second Row Passenger Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Occupant Alert | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Bulb | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, Two Flat-folding, Sliding and Reclining 3rd Row Captain Chairs, 60:40 Split-folding 3rd 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 | Manual Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Ceiling-mounted Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Second-row USB, 1 Third-row USB, 2 Last-row USB | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 4 Speakers | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Front Windows, Auto Up and Down, Manual Slide Rear Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive 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 | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | 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 Staria & Carnival for sale
Staria vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Hyundai Staria or Kia Carnival better?
The Carnival is better equipped, with 197 hp, eight airbags, powered sliding doors and a 360-degree camera. Choose the Staria for luggage capacity: its 430-litre boot dwarfs the Carnival's 56 litres, while its warranty runs eight years/160,000 km.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 and the Hyundai Staria costs RM179,888, so the Carnival carries a RM10,000 premium.
Which MPV is better for carrying passengers and luggage?
The Carnival seats 11, one more than the Staria's 10. But with all seats in use, the Staria's 430-litre boot is far more useful than the Carnival's 56 litres. For passengers plus substantial luggage, take the Staria.
