Kia Carnival vs Skoda Roomster
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.
Kia Carnival
From $54,560
People Mover
Diesel
Diesel
148kW
6.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
627L
Skoda Roomster
Price TBC
People Mover
Petrol
Turbocharged petrol, in-line, OHC, transverse
77kW
5.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
450L
Skoda Roomster: we're still completing price, height, kerb weight, warranty and turning circle.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Kia Carnival stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and power tailgate — features our data doesn't list for the Skoda Roomster. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Kia Carnival uses a Diesel producing 148kW and 440Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.1 seconds.
The Skoda Roomster responds with a Turbocharged petrol, in-line, OHC, transverse making 77kW and 175Nm, paired to a 5-speed manual driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.9 seconds.
The Kia Carnival has the clear power advantage at 148kW vs 77kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia Carnival is 1.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia Carnival measures 5,155mm long on a 3,090mm wheelbase, 941mm longer than the Skoda Roomster at 4,214mm (2,608mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Carnival generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 627L in the Kia Carnival and 450L in the Skoda Roomster, giving the Kia Carnival a 177L advantage. The Kia Carnival seats 8 vs 5.
For towing, the Kia Carnival leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,100kg. That 900kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.7m diameter
Average
Based on 11.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.0 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
2.0 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,853/year for the Kia Carnival and $1,682/year for the Skoda Roomster. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the Skoda Roomster.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Carnival if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Skoda Roomster if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Skoda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Carnival takes 4 of 5 key spec categories. The Skoda Roomster will save you roughly $171 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Carnival has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia Carnival and Skoda Roomster?
The Kia Carnival is the cheapest at $54,560 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Skoda Roomster uses the least fuel at 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia Carnival holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Skoda Roomster, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Carnival has the largest boot at 627L.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Carnival has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Carnival makes the most power at 148kW. 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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