Hyundai Staria 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.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 16 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$54,300RRP
- cannot be matched: Power Tailgate not offered
$54,560RRP
- cannot be matched: Wireless Phone Charging not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Staria starts from $54,300 before on-road costs, while the Kia Carnival opens at $54,560. That makes the Hyundai Staria the more affordable entry point by $260.
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 $59,730 and $60,016 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai Staria and Kia Carnival hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2021. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Hyundai Staria and 90% for the Kia Carnival.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Hyundai Staria, against 5 on the Kia Carnival.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Hyundai Staria and 7 in the Kia Carnival.
Recalls on our record
Hyundai Staria
None open on our record
Kia Carnival
- REC-006644 · published 30 Jun 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the high-pressure fuel pipe nuts may be insufficiently torqued and could become loose over time.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006093 · published 4 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the main wiring harness may come in contact with the steering column shaft and become damaged.Year range on the notice: 2024
- 12 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Staria features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Kia Carnival gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Staria stands out with wireless charging — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Carnival. The Kia Carnival counters with power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Staria uses a 2.2 CRDi - D4HB diesel producing 130kW and 430Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a FWD layout.
The Kia Carnival responds with a Diesel making 148kW and 440Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.1 seconds.
The Kia Carnival has the clear power advantage at 148kW vs 130kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Staria measures 5,253mm long on a 3,273mm wheelbase, 98mm longer than the Kia Carnival at 5,155mm (3,090mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Staria generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 831L in the Hyundai Staria and 627L in the Kia Carnival, giving the Hyundai Staria a 204L advantage.
For towing, the Hyundai Staria leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.7m to 12.0m
Based on 12.0m 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
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,052/year for the Hyundai Staria and $1,853/year for the Kia Carnival. That is a $199 annual difference in favour of the Kia Carnival.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Staria) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Carnival). The Kia Carnival has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Staria if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Carnival if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Kia Carnival: Top CarSorted Score, 78 vs 77, but the Hyundai Staria is $260 cheaper
The Kia Carnival comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (78 vs 77), taking 3 of 6 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: practicality (Hyundai Staria ahead by 9), technology (Hyundai Staria ahead by 8), performance (Kia Carnival ahead by 8). The Kia Carnival will save you roughly $199 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Staria has a clear edge. The Kia Carnival adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Staria and Kia Carnival?
The Hyundai Staria is the cheapest at $54,300 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia Carnival by $260.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Carnival uses the least fuel at 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Hyundai Staria and Kia Carnival all hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2021). Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Staria has the largest boot at 831L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Staria has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Carnival has the longest warranty that does not depend on dealer servicing at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Carnival makes the most power at 148kW.
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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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