Verdict
At RM159,800, the Tiggo 8 costs RM29,088 less and its RM120 annual road tax undercuts the Carnival’s RM561. Its 18.3-kWh battery delivers 90 km of EV range, useful if 6.6 kW AC charging is practical at home or at work; 40 kW DC charging and 3.3 kW V2L add flexibility. The RM188,888 Carnival is the choice for passenger capacity, with 11 seats and a 3,090-mm wheelbase, 380 mm longer than the Chery’s. But the Tiggo 8 has 193 litres of boot space against the Kia’s 56 litres.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 8 if seven seats, plug-in hybrid driving and a 193-litre boot matter more than carrying up to 11 people.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you regularly need its 11 seats, power sliding rear doors and far longer 3,090-mm wheelbase.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 8 RM159,800; Kia Carnival RM188,888.
- Road tax per year: Chery Tiggo 8 RM120; Kia Carnival RM561.
- Seating: Chery Tiggo 8 7 seats; Kia Carnival 11 seats.
- Length and wheelbase: Chery Tiggo 8 4,725 mm and 2,710 mm; Kia Carnival 5,155 mm and 3,090 mm.
- Boot space: Chery Tiggo 8 193 litres; Kia Carnival 56 litres.
- Powertrain: Chery Tiggo 8 has a 18.3-kWh battery, 201-hp motor and 90 km EV range; Kia Carnival has a 2.2-litre diesel with 197 hp and 440 Nm.
Tiggo 8
- 90 km EV range, plus 6.6 kW AC and 40 kW DC charging.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
- 193-litre boot space with all seven seats available.
- Seven seats versus the Carnival’s 11.
- No power sliding rear doors.
- 60-litre fuel tank versus 72 litres.
Carnival
- 11-seat layout with sliding, reclining and removable second- and third-row seats.
- Power sliding rear doors on both sides.
- 440 Nm diesel torque and an eight-speed automatic.
- RM29,088 higher purchase price and RM441 more annual road tax.
- 56-litre smaller boot space than the Tiggo 8’s 193 litres.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot information system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM159,800✓ | RM188,888 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM561 |
| 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✓ |
| 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 Capacity | 18.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 90 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| 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) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| 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 | — |
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 Tiggo 8 & Carnival for sale
Tiggo 8 vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 8 or Kia Carnival better?
The Tiggo 8 is better for a seven-seat family wanting plug-in hybrid capability, a 90 km EV range and useful boot space. The Carnival is better if your priority is carrying eight to 11 people with flexible rear seating and power sliding doors.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM29,088 more than the Chery Tiggo 8. Its annual road tax is also RM441 higher, at RM561 versus RM120.
Which has more boot space with all seats in use?
The Chery Tiggo 8 has 193 litres of boot space, substantially more than the Kia Carnival’s 56 litres. The Carnival trades that luggage capacity for its 11-seat layout.
