VS
At a Glance
Power
110kW@5600
180 kW
Torque
224Nm@4000
350 Nm
Fuel
—
1.9 when hybrid battery charged / 8.1 co
Towing
1888
1570 Kg
0-100 km/h
13
8.2 s
Engine
2497
1498 cc
Choosing between the KIA Carnival and the Volkswagen Caravelle is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The KIA Carnival delivers 110kW@5600 while the Volkswagen Caravelle produces 180 kW. On fuel, the Carnival returns 0 while the Caravelle uses 1.9 when hybrid battery charged / 8.1 combined + 15.9 kWh/100 km l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R289 995 for the Carnival and R1 794 000 for the Caravelle. 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
180 kW
Torque
224Nm@4000
350 Nm
0-100 kph
13
8.2 s
Top Speed
175
190 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2497
1498 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE V 6
inline
Cylinders
6
4
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
petrol-electric hybrid
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
MANUAL
automatic
Number of Gears
5
6
Drive Wheels
FRONT
all
Full Time 4x4
✗
✓ Standard
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
1.9 when hybrid battery charged / 8.1 co
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
75
45 litre + 19.7 kWh l
CO2 Emissions
—
77 combined g/km
Dimensions
Length
4925
4973 mm
Width
1900
1941 mm
Height
1805
1907 mm
Wheelbase
2905
3124 mm
Ground Clearance
171
161 mm
Kerb Weight
1888
2230 Kg
Doors
5
5 incl. 2 sliding side + 1 rear
Seats
7
7
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1888
1570 Kg
Load Capacity
2556
650 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
—
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✗
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
2
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
—
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
—
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✗
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✗
✓ Standard
Adaptive 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
Tow Bar
—
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
36
3 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
100000
120000 vehicle / 160000 hybrid battery K
Service Plan
M
—
Service Intervals
30000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
KIA Carnival
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Caravelle
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Carnival
Practicality
Carnival
Pros & Cons
KIA Carnival
Lower starting price (R289 995)
Higher towing capacity (1888)
Few notable weaknesses
Volkswagen Caravelle
Quicker 0-100 km/h (8.2 ss)
Higher fuel consumption (1.9 when hybrid battery charged / 8.1 combined + 15.9 kWh/100 km l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Carnival or Caravelle?
The Carnival uses 0 and the Caravelle uses 1.9 when hybrid battery charged / 8.1 combined + 15.9 kWh/100 km 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 Caravelle?
The Carnival produces 110kW@5600 and 224Nm@4000 of torque while the Caravelle delivers 180 kW and 350 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Carnival and Caravelle?
The Carnival starts from R289 995 and the Caravelle from R1 794 000. The Carnival is cheaper by R1 504 005 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Carnival or Caravelle?
The Carnival has a braked towing capacity of 1888 and the Caravelle can tow 1570 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Carnival or the Caravelle?
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.