Verdict
The Hyundai Staria costs RM179,888, RM10,000 below the Kia Carnival, and makes the stronger case for buyers who need usable luggage room: its 430-litre boot dwarfs the Carnival’s 56 litres. It is also 98 mm longer with a 183 mm longer wheelbase, though the Carnival fits 11 people to the Staria’s 10. Kia counters with 197 hp and 440 Nm against 175 hp and 431 Nm, plus far richer cabin equipment and more airbags. For airport transfers or large families carrying bags, take the Staria; for maximum passenger count and equipment, the Carnival earns its premium.
Pick the Hyundai Staria if you need a 430-litre boot, a full-size spare tyre and eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty coverage for RM10,000 less.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you want 11 seats, 197 hp, power sliding doors and substantially more cabin and safety equipment.
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 space: Hyundai Staria 10 seats and 430 litres; Kia Carnival 11 seats and 56 litres.
- Size: Hyundai Staria 5,253 mm long with a 3,273 mm wheelbase; Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long with a 3,090 mm wheelbase.
- Wheels and tyres: Hyundai Staria 17-inch wheels with 215/65R17 tyres; Kia Carnival 18-inch wheels with 235/60R18 tyres.
- Warranty: Hyundai Staria eight years/160,000 km; Kia Carnival five years/150,000 km.
Staria
- 430-litre boot versus the Carnival’s 56 litres
- Full-size spare tyre and 75-litre fuel tank
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty
- 175 hp and 431 Nm trail the Carnival’s 197 hp and 440 Nm
- 10 seats, one fewer than the Carnival
- Manual front seats, manual air-conditioning and no power sliding doors
Carnival
- 197 hp and 440 Nm diesel
- 11-seat layout with removable second- and third-row seats
- Power sliding doors, 360-degree camera and 12.3-inch touchscreen
- 56-litre boot is 374 litres smaller than the Staria’s
- Costs RM10,000 more
- Five-year/150,000-km warranty is shorter than the Staria’s eight years/160,000 km
| 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 | 197 hp✓ |
| Torque | 431 Nm | 440 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore | 85.4 mm | 83 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 Staria is better for luggage-carrying duties, with a 430-litre boot and longer warranty. The Carnival is better for passenger capacity and equipment, bringing 11 seats, 197 hp, power sliding doors and a 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM10,000 more than the Hyundai Staria: RM188,888 versus RM179,888. The extra money brings 22 hp, nine Nm, an extra seat, power sliding doors and a broader equipment list.
Which MPV has more boot space?
The Hyundai Staria has far more quoted boot space at 430 litres, compared with 56 litres for the Kia Carnival. That 374-litre advantage matters if all rows are occupied and luggage must travel behind them.