VS
At a Glance
Power
110kW@5600
125 kW
Torque
224Nm@4000
380 Nm
Fuel
—
7.2 l/100km
Towing
1888
2500 Kg
0-100 km/h
13
—
Engine
2497
1997 cc
Choosing between the KIA Carnival and the Renault Trafic is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The KIA Carnival delivers 110kW@5600 while the Renault Trafic produces 125 kW. On fuel, the Carnival returns 0 while the Trafic uses 7.2 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R289 995 for the Carnival and R1 049 999 for the Trafic. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
110kW@5600
125 kW
Torque
224Nm@4000
380 Nm
0-100 kph
13
—
Top Speed
175
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2497
1997 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE V 6
inline
Cylinders
6
4
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
diesel
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
MANUAL
automatic
Number of Gears
5
9
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
7.2 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
75
80 l
CO2 Emissions
—
188 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4925
5480 mm
Width
1900
1956 / 2312 mm
Height
1805
1973 mm
Wheelbase
2905
3498 mm
Ground Clearance
171
160 mm
Kerb Weight
1888
2135 Kg
Doors
5
5 incl. 2 sliding side + 1 rear liftgate
Seats
7
9
Load Volume
—
1000 / 6000 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1888
2500 Kg
Load Capacity
2556
935 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
—
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✗
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
2
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
—
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
—
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✗
—
Cruise Control
✗
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
—
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
?
—
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
—
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✗
—
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Electric Seat Adjustment
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
?
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
36
5
Warranty Distance
100000
150000 Km
Service Plan
M
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
5
Service Plan Distance
—
90000
Service Intervals
30000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Renault Trafic
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Trafic
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Carnival
Practicality
Trafic
Pros & Cons
KIA Carnival
Lower starting price (R289 995)
No factory service plan
Renault Trafic
Higher towing capacity (2500 Kg)
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (7.2 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Carnival or Trafic?
The Carnival uses 0 and the Trafic uses 7.2 l/100km on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Carnival or Trafic?
The Carnival produces 110kW@5600 and 224Nm@4000 of torque while the Trafic delivers 125 kW and 380 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Carnival and Trafic?
The Carnival starts from R289 995 and the Trafic from R1 049 999. The Carnival is cheaper by R760 004 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Carnival or Trafic?
The Carnival has a braked towing capacity of 1888 and the Trafic can tow 2500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Carnival or the Trafic?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.