Subaru WRX Sportswagon vs Kia Carnival
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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 31 Aug 2026, price 10 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.
$52,290RRP
- 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
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon starts from $52,290 before on-road costs, while the Kia Carnival opens at $54,560. That makes the Subaru WRX Sportswagon the more affordable entry point by $2,270.
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 $57,519 and $60,016 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Kia Carnival by roughly $2,850 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.
Recalls on our record
Subaru WRX Sportswagon
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 Subaru WRX Sportswagon features a 11.6-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 Subaru WRX Sportswagon stands out with Apple CarPlay — 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 Subaru WRX Sportswagon uses a Petrol producing 202kW and 350Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds.
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 Subaru WRX Sportswagon has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 148kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Subaru WRX Sportswagon is 2.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon measures 4,755mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 400mm shorter 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 492L in the Subaru WRX Sportswagon and 627L in the Kia Carnival, giving the Kia Carnival a 135L advantage. The Kia Carnival seats 8 vs 5.
For towing, the Kia Carnival leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.7m
Based on 11.0m 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 $2,423/year for the Subaru WRX Sportswagon and $1,853/year for the Kia Carnival. That is a $570 annual difference in favour of the Kia Carnival.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru WRX Sportswagon) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Carnival). The Kia Carnival has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru WRX Sportswagon if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Carnival if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Kia Carnival: Top CarSorted Score, 80 vs 66, but the Subaru WRX Sportswagon is $2,270 cheaper
The Kia Carnival comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (80 vs 66), taking 4 of 7 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Kia Carnival ahead by 23), practicality (Kia Carnival ahead by 20), fuel economy (Kia Carnival ahead by 18). The Kia Carnival will save you roughly $570 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Carnival 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.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Subaru WRX Sportswagon and Kia Carnival?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon is the cheapest at $52,290 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia Carnival by $2,270.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Carnival uses the least fuel at 6.5L/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 Subaru WRX Sportswagon, 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 with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Carnival has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Carnival has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon makes the most power at 202kW. The Subaru WRX Sportswagon is quickest to 100km/h in 6.4s.
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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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