GAC M8 vs Kia Carnival
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular People Movers compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
GAC M8
From $76,590
People Mover
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol Turbo
274kW
6.1 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
800L
Kia Carnival
From $50,570
People Mover
Petrol
Petrol
216kW
9.6 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
627L
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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Price Breakdown
The GAC M8 starts from $76,590 before on-road costs, while the Kia Carnival opens at $50,570. That makes the Kia Carnival the more affordable entry point by $26,020.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $84,249 and $55,627 respectively.
The GAC M8 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Kia Carnival, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the GAC M8 by roughly $12,215 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The GAC M8 stands out with Apple CarPlay, heated front seats, GAC Premium audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Kia Carnival. The Kia Carnival counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the GAC M8 gets nappa leather upholstery while the Kia Carnival offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The GAC M8 uses a Petrol Turbo producing 274kW and 630Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.5 seconds.
The Kia Carnival responds with a Petrol making 216kW and 355Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.1 seconds.
The GAC M8 has the clear power advantage at 274kW vs 216kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia Carnival is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The GAC M8 measures 5,212mm long on a 3,070mm wheelbase, 57mm longer than the Kia Carnival at 5,155mm (3,090mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Carnival generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 800L in the GAC M8 and 627L in the Kia Carnival, giving the GAC M8 a 173L advantage. The Kia Carnival seats 8 vs 7.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.7m to 12.8m
Based on 12.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $293/year for the GAC M8 and $2,736/year for the Kia Carnival. That is a $2,443 annual difference in favour of the GAC M8.
Estimated annual total: $293 (GAC M8) vs $2,736 (Kia Carnival). The GAC M8 saves you roughly $2,443 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 8 years / 150,000km (GAC M8) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Carnival). The GAC M8 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the GAC M8 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer GAC's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Carnival if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The GAC M8 takes 4 of 7 key spec categories. The GAC M8 will save you roughly $2,443 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the GAC M8 has a clear edge. The GAC M8 adds peace of mind with a longer 8-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, GAC M8 and Kia Carnival?
The Kia Carnival is the cheapest at $50,570 before on-road costs. That undercuts the GAC M8 by $26,020.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The GAC M8 uses the least fuel at 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Kia Carnival all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The GAC M8 has the largest boot at 800L.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Carnival has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The GAC M8 has the longest warranty at 8 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The GAC M8 makes the most power at 274kW. The Kia Carnival is quickest to 100km/h in 9.1s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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