Staria I (US4) vs Carnival IV (KA4): which is better?
Hyundai Staria I (US4) (2021–present) vs Kia Carnival IV (KA4) (2020–present): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Hyundai Staria I (US4)
Kia Carnival IV (KA4)Specifications
| Hyundai Staria I (US4) | Kia Carnival IV (KA4) | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2021–present | 2020–present |
| Body | minivan | minivan |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 3.5 V6 | 3.5 V6 |
| Power, up to | 272 hp | 294 hp |
| Torque, up to | 331 Nm | 355 Nm |
| Gearbox | automatic | automatic |
| Drive | all-wheel drive | front-wheel drive |
| Length | 5 253 mm | 5 155 mm |
| Width | 1 997 mm | 1 995 mm |
| Height | 1 990 mm | 1 775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3 273 mm | 3 090 mm |
| Ground clearance | — | 172 mm |
| Fuel tank | 75 L | 72 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 68 375 ₸ | ≈ 68 375 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Hyundai Staria I (US4)
Pros
- Powerful versions: up to 272 hp
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Conventional automatic, no robotized gearbox or CVT
- Large tank: 75 L
Cons
- Hyundai/Kia automatic: jolts on 2–3 shifts and when braking
Engine (Hyundai/Kia Smartstream): new engines, few widespread problems so far.
Gearbox (Hyundai/Kia automatic): kicks on the 2–3 shift and when braking; solenoid and clutch pack wear at high mileage.
Kia Carnival IV (KA4)
Pros
- Powerful versions: up to 294 hp
- Conventional automatic, no robotized gearbox or CVT
- Large tank: 72 L
- Currently in production — can be bought new
Cons
- Hyundai/Kia automatic: jolts on 2–3 shifts and when braking
Engine (Hyundai/Kia Smartstream): new engines, few widespread problems so far.
Gearbox (Hyundai/Kia automatic): kicks on the 2–3 shift and when braking; solenoid and clutch pack wear at high mileage.
Which one to choose
- Staria I (US4) — if you care more about: wheelbase, fuel tank.
- Carnival IV (KA4) — if you care more about: power, torque.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: Staria I (US4) or Carnival IV (KA4)?
Staria I (US4): up to 272 hp, Carnival IV (KA4): up to 294 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Staria I (US4) — about 68 375 ₸, Carnival IV (KA4) — about 68 375 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.