VS
At a Glance
Power
106kW@3800
75 kW
Torque
310Nm@2000
260 Nm
Fuel
-
9.9 l/100km
Towing
2000kg
900 Kg
0-100 km/h
14.3s
25.4 s
Engine
2902cc
2494 cc
Choosing between the KIA Carnival and the Toyota Hiace is one of the most common decisions car buyers in South Africa face. The KIA Carnival delivers 106kW@3800 while the Toyota Hiace produces 75 kW. On fuel, the Carnival returns 0L/100km while the Hiace uses 9.9 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R299 995 for the Carnival and R755 500 for the Hiace. 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.
Specification
KIA Carnival2.9 CRDI 2002 - From R299 995
Toyota HiaceQuantum Hiace 2.5 D-4d 14 SEAT 2021 - From R755 500
Performance
Power Output
106kW@3800
75 kW
Torque
310Nm@2000
260 Nm
0-100 kph
14.3s
25.4 s
Top Speed
174km/h
100 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2902cc
2494 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
DIESEL
diesel
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
MANUAL
manual
Number of Gears
5
5
Drive Wheels
FRONT
rear
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
-
9.9 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
-
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
-
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
75L
70 l
CO2 Emissions
-
266 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4925mm
5380 mm
Width
1900mm
1880 mm
Height
1805mm
2285 mm
Wheelbase
2905mm
3110 mm
Ground Clearance
171mm
185 mm
Kerb Weight
2003kg
2100 Kg
Doors
5
4
Seats
7
14
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2000kg
900 Kg
Load Capacity
2556kg
1100 lkg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✗
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
2
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✗
—
Cruise Control
✗
—
Bluetooth
—
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
?
—
Sunroof
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
?
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
—
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
36
3
Warranty Distance
100000km
100000 Km
Service Plan
M
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
9 servicesyr
Service Plan Distance
—
90000km
Service Intervals
20000
10000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
KIA Carnival
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Carnival
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Carnival
Practicality
Carnival
Pros & Cons
KIA Carnival
Lower starting price (R299 995)
Higher towing capacity (2000kg)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (14.3ss)
No factory service plan
Toyota Hiace
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (9.9 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Carnival or Hiace?
The Carnival uses 0L/100km and the Hiace uses 9.9 l/100km on the combined cycle. In real-world conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, actual figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Carnival or Hiace?
The Carnival produces 106kW@3800 and 310Nm@2000 of torque while the Hiace delivers 75 kW and 260 Nm of torque. The Carnival is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Carnival and Hiace?
The Carnival starts from R299 995 and the Hiace from R755 500. The Carnival is cheaper by R455 505 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Carnival or Hiace?
The Carnival has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg and the Hiace can tow 900 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Carnival or the Hiace?
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.