Mercedes-Benz Valente 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 9 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker 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.
Mercedes-Benz Valente: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, warranty and ground clearance, plus 1 other.
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.
No price
- no option data for this car
$54,560RRP
- no option data for this car
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
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.
Recalls on our record
Mercedes-Benz Valente
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 Mercedes-Benz Valente features a 5.8-inch touchscreen, while the Kia Carnival gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-inch instruments.
The Mercedes-Benz Valente stands out with ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Carnival. The Kia Carnival counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz Valente uses a 2.1 litre turbo-diesel inline-4 (Euro 6) producing 120kW and 380Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed automatic (7g-tronic) to a RWD 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 120kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz Valente measures 5,140mm long on a 3,200mm wheelbase, 15mm shorter than the Kia Carnival at 5,155mm (3,090mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz Valente generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Kia Carnival leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 0kg 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 11.8m
Based on 11.8m 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
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 $1,796/year for the Mercedes-Benz Valente and $1,853/year for the Kia Carnival. That is a $57 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz Valente.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz Valente if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Carnival if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (55 vs 80). The Mercedes-Benz Valente and Kia Carnival trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mercedes-Benz Valente will save you roughly $57 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz Valente and Kia Carnival?
The Kia Carnival is the cheapest at $54,560 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz Valente uses the least fuel at 6.3L/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 Mercedes-Benz Valente, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz Valente has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
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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