Verdict
These two serve markedly different Malaysian households. The Carnival’s 11 seats, 3,090 mm wheelbase and 440 Nm diesel torque make it the proper people carrier, with power sliding doors, rear climate control and eight airbags to suit a full load. Its 56-litre boot is tiny in the stated configuration, however. The Sportage is 495 mm shorter, 551 kg lighter and has a 587-litre boot, so it is the easier five-seat daily car. Its 154 hp petrol engine is far less muscular than the Carnival’s 197 hp diesel.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, power sliding doors and 440 Nm for regularly carrying a large family.
Pick the Kia Sportage if five seats and a 587-litre boot matter more than maximum passenger capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Kia Sportage RM128,800
- Seating: Kia Carnival 11 seats; Kia Sportage 5 seats
- Engine output: Kia Carnival 197 hp and 440 Nm; Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm
- Length: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm; Kia Sportage 4,660 mm
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; Kia Sportage 587 litres
- Kerb weight: Kia Carnival 2,129 kg; Kia Sportage 1,578 kg
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with versatile second-, third- and fourth-row seating
- 197 hp diesel produces 440 Nm from 1,750 rpm
- Eight airbags, 360-degree camera and power sliding rear doors
- RM60,088 more expensive
- 56-litre boot is 531 litres smaller
- At 5,155 mm long and 2,129 kg, it is much larger and heavier
Sportage
- 587-litre boot for five-seat use
- 495 mm shorter and 551 kg lighter
- Lower annual road tax of RM440
- Only five seats versus the Carnival’s 11
- 154 hp and 192 Nm petrol engine trails the Carnival’s 197 hp and 440 Nm diesel
- Six airbags and four rear parking sensors, against eight airbags and six rear sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888 | RM128,800✓ |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm✓ | 154 hp at 6,200 rpm |
| Torque | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ | 192 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 99.4 mm | 81 mm × 97 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 587 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Available 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 | Manual Adjustment |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| 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 | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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 Carnival & Sportage for sale
Carnival vs Sportage FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Kia Sportage better?
The Carnival is better for large families because it carries 11 people and has power sliding doors. The Sportage is better as a five-seat daily SUV, being 495 mm shorter, 551 kg lighter and fitted with a 587-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM60,088 more than the Kia Sportage. That buys six extra seats, a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with 440 Nm, power sliding rear doors, a 360-degree camera and two additional airbags.
Which has the more useful boot?
The Sportage has the larger stated boot at 587 litres, versus 56 litres for the Carnival. The Carnival prioritises its 11-seat layout; its split-folding and removable rear seating gives it far greater passenger-layout flexibility.
