Chery Tiggo 8 vs Kia Carnival
Verdict
At RM159,800, the Chery Tiggo 8 undercuts the RM188,888 Kia Carnival by RM29,088, then answers with a plug-in hybrid setup: 90 km EV range, 6.6 kW AC, 40 kW DC and 3.3 kW V2L. It is the more tech-heavy SUV, with autonomous braking, lane-keeping, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Kia Carnival is the bigger MPV: 5,155 mm long, with a 3,090 mm wheelbase, 11 seats, 440 Nm and power sliding rear doors. Pick space and people capacity, or save money and get electrified running.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 8 if you want the lower price, 90 km EV driving and more driver-assist kit in a seven-seat SUV.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, sliding rear doors and the longer 3,090 mm wheelbase of a proper MPV.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 8 RM159,800; Kia Carnival RM188,888
- Seats: Chery Tiggo 8 7; Kia Carnival 11
- Powertrain: Chery Tiggo 8 1,498 cc petrol plug-in hybrid with 18.3 kWh battery; Kia Carnival 2,151 cc turbo diesel
- Outputs: Chery Tiggo 8 engine 139 hp/215 Nm plus motor 201 hp/310 Nm; Kia Carnival 197 hp/440 Nm
- Size: Chery Tiggo 8 4,725 x 1,860 x 1,705 mm; Kia Carnival 5,155 x 1,995 x 1,775 mm
- Wheelbase and boot: Chery Tiggo 8 2,710 mm/193 litres; Kia Carnival 3,090 mm/56 litres
Tiggo 8
- RM29,088 cheaper to buy
- 90 km EV range, DC charging and 3.3 kW V2L
- Has AEB, lane-keeping, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control
- Only 7 seats against the Carnival's 11
- Shorter 2,710 mm wheelbase than the Carnival's 3,090 mm
- No power sliding rear doors
Carnival
- 11 seats and removable, sliding rear rows
- 440 Nm diesel torque with an 8-speed automatic
- Power sliding rear doors and powered boot
- Costs RM29,088 more
- Road tax is RM561 a year versus RM120
- No AEB or lane-keeping; cruise control is passive
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 159,800✓ | RM 188,888 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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 | 197 hp✓ |
| Torque | 215 Nm | 440 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Diesel |
| Bore | 77 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 16 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-iron Phosphate | — |
| Battery Capacity | 18.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 90 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag, Curtain Airbags | 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 561 |
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.
Tiggo 8 vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 8 or Kia Carnival better?
The Chery Tiggo 8 is better for lower cost, plug-in hybrid running and more active safety kit. The Kia Carnival is better if the job is carrying more than seven people; it has 11 seats and a much longer wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM29,088 more than the Chery Tiggo 8: RM188,888 versus RM159,800. Road tax is also higher at RM561 a year versus RM120.
Which has more seats and boot space?
The Kia Carnival has more seats, 11 versus seven. But the Chery Tiggo 8 has the larger quoted boot, 193 litres versus 56 litres, so the Kia's advantage is passenger capacity rather than luggage room with every seat in use.