Verdict
At RM159,800, the Hyundai Tucson costs RM29,088 less than the RM188,888 Kia Carnival and carries only RM120 annual road tax against RM561. It is the more manageable choice at 4,630 mm long, with a useful 582-litre boot and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty. The Carnival is a fundamentally different family tool: its 11 seats, 3,090-mm wheelbase and 440 Nm diesel torque suit moving many people, but its quoted boot space is just 56 litres and it is 525 mm longer. Choose capacity over convenience only if you will use it.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you need a five-seat SUV with a 582-litre boot, lower running tax and active safety including blind-spot information and collision warning.
Pick the Kia Carnival if carrying up to 11 people, power sliding rear doors and proper rear climate control matter more than price, road tax and compact dimensions.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Tucson RM159,800; Kia Carnival RM188,888.
- Seats: Hyundai Tucson 5; Kia Carnival 11.
- Torque: Hyundai Tucson 264 Nm at 1,500 rpm; Kia Carnival 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm.
- Length: Hyundai Tucson 4,630 mm; Kia Carnival 5,155 mm.
- Boot space: Hyundai Tucson 582 litres; Kia Carnival 56 litres.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Tucson RM120; Kia Carnival RM561.
Tucson
- RM29,088 lower purchase price and RM441 lower annual road tax.
- 582-litre boot in a 4,630-mm-long body.
- Blind-spot information, collision warning and adaptive cruise control.
- Only five seats versus the Carnival's 11.
- 264 Nm trails the Carnival's 440 Nm.
- Six airbags versus eight, and only rear air-con vents rather than rear automatic climate control.
Carnival
- 11 seats with sliding, reclining and removable second- and third-row seating.
- 440 Nm diesel torque and an eight-speed automatic.
- Power sliding rear doors, 360-degree camera and third-row air vents.
- RM29,088 more expensive and RM561 annual road tax versus RM120.
- 56-litre boot space is far smaller than the Tucson's 582 litres.
- At 5,155 mm long and 2,129 kg, it is 525 mm longer and 608 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM159,800✓ | RM188,888 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM561 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | 178 hp at 5,500 rpm | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 264 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | 83 mm × 99.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 16 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 201 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,665 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | 1,521 kg | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 54 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 11 |
| Boot Space | 582 litres✓ | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear 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 Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 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 | 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 Front USB, 2 Rear 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 & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 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 Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | 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 | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 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 | Full LCD Monitor | 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 Tucson & Carnival for sale
Tucson vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Carnival better?
The Tucson is better for a typical five-person household needing boot space, lower road tax and active safety aids. The Carnival is better only when its 11-seat layout, sliding doors and stronger 440 Nm diesel are regularly useful.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM29,088 more than the Hyundai Tucson. Its annual road tax is also RM441 higher, at RM561 versus RM120.
Which has more practical luggage space?
The Hyundai Tucson has the larger quoted boot at 582 litres, against 56 litres for the Kia Carnival. The Carnival prioritises its 11-seat cabin, so assess your usual passenger count before assuming the larger MPV carries more luggage.
