Kia Carnival vs Subaru Crosstrek
Verdict
At RM188,888 versus RM190,788, these two are close on money but miles apart in purpose. The Kia Carnival is the big-family choice: 11 seats, 3,090 mm wheelbase, rear air-con, power sliding doors and a 2.2 diesel with 440 Nm. The Subaru Crosstrek is the smaller, easier five-seat SUV, with all-wheel drive, a 315-litre boot and more listed driver assists, including autonomous braking, blind spot info and adaptive cruise. If you carry people, buy the Kia. If you want safety kit and AWD in a compact body, the Subaru makes more sense.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, rear air-con, power sliding doors and diesel torque for family duty.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if you want a smaller five-seat SUV with all-wheel drive and more listed active safety kit.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788
- Powertrain: Kia Carnival 2,151 cc turbo diesel with 197 hp and 440 Nm; Subaru Crosstrek 1,995 cc petrol boxer with 154 hp and 196 Nm
- Driveline/transmission: Kia Carnival front-wheel drive with an 8-speed automatic; Subaru Crosstrek all-wheel drive with Lineartronic CVT
- Size: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long, 1,995 mm wide and 3,090 mm wheelbase; Subaru Crosstrek 4,480 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 2,670 mm wheelbase
- Seats and boot: Kia Carnival 11 seats and 56 litres; Subaru Crosstrek 5 seats and 315 litres
- Warranty and road tax: Kia Carnival 5 years/150,000 km and RM561 yearly road tax; Subaru Crosstrek 5 years/100,000 km and RM438 yearly road tax
Carnival
- Huge people-carrying advantage with 11 seats versus five
- Much stronger output: 197 hp and 440 Nm versus 154 hp and 196 Nm
- Rear air-con, power sliding rear doors and six rear parking sensors suit family use
- Lacks the Subaru's listed autonomous braking, blind spot info, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control
- Much bigger footprint: 5,155 mm by 1,995 mm versus 4,480 mm by 1,800 mm
- Boot space is only 56 litres with all seats in use, against the Subaru's 315 litres
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive versus the Kia's front-wheel drive
- More listed active safety kit, including autonomous braking, blind spot info and adaptive cruise with Stop and Go
- Lower yearly road tax at RM438 versus RM561
- Only five seats versus the Kia's 11
- Far less torque: 196 Nm versus the Kia's 440 Nm
- No rear air-con or power sliding rear doors listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 188,888✓ | RM 190,788 |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 1,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | 440 Nm✓ | 196 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 315 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 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 | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 561 | RM 438✓ |
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.
Carnival vs Crosstrek FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Subaru Crosstrek better?
The Kia Carnival is better for carrying people, with 11 seats and rear air-con. The Subaru Crosstrek is better for a smaller household wanting AWD and more active safety assists. They solve different problems.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Crosstrek costs RM1,900 more than the Kia Carnival. That small gap does not decide this comparison; seating, size, driveline and safety equipment matter more.
Which one has more boot space?
The Subaru Crosstrek has the larger listed boot at 315 litres, while the Kia Carnival lists 56 litres with its 11-seat layout. The Kia trades luggage space for passenger capacity.