Kia Sales Malaysia (KSM) has launched its first model since taking over the brand’s distributorship on January 1. The facelifted Kia Carnival arrives some two years after its global reveal and three months after it was launched in Thailand, but hey – better late than never, right?
Just like in the Land of Smiles, our Carnival continues to be CKD locally assembled at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah. This time, the MPV is only offered with either 11 or seven seats, with the eight-seater model having been dropped. Nett prices excluding on-the-road costs and insurance but including KSM’s new five-year/150,000 km warranty are as follows:
- 2026 Kia Carnival 2.2D 11-seater – RM188,888
- 2026 Kia Carnival 2.2D 7-seater – RM248,888
With on-the-road costs included, the prices rise to RM189,849 for the 11-seater and RM249,849 for the seven-seater. Compared to the previous Carnival, the new 11-seater model is nearly RM8,700 cheaper than before, while the seven-seater costs over RM10,000 less – staying true to KSM’s goal of “right-pricing” its models. We should point out, however, that the seven-seater is nearly RM30,000 more expensive than the 2025 model when the latter was discounted at the start of the year.
Despite the hybrid version already being built here for the Thai market, the Malaysian-spec Carnival soldiers on with the same diesel engine as before. This means private buyers will still be saddled with high fuel costs with the government’s move to targeted diesel subsidies.
That oil burner is a 2.2 litre Smartstream D turbo four-cylinder producing 202 PS at 3,800 rpm and 440 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,750 rpm. It drives the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and Kia claims an NEDC-rated fuel consumption figure of 6.5 litres per 100 km for this 2.1 tonne behemoth.
Setting the facelifted Carnival apart from the outgoing model is a new front fascia with a much wider “tiger nose” grille, flanked by L-shaped LED headlights – with four-a-side vertical “cube” projectors – incorporating Kia’s latest Star Map LED daytime running light graphic. The bumper design has also been simplified with a single downturned air intake framed by a silver U-shaped skid plate and LED fog lights.
At the rear, you get new full-width LED taillights with the same Star Map graphic, while the number plate recess has been moved further down the tailgate, allowing for a larger space for the Kia emblem to sit. The rear bumper has also been redesigned with a silver bar to match the front.
Both models come with roof rails and a key-detecting hands-free opening function for the powered sliding doors and tailgate (the latter closes when you walk away, too). But they differ in the wheels being offered – 18-inch two-tone turbine-style items for the 11-seater, 19-inch rollers with a distinctive “cubic” design for the seven-seater. The 11-seater also continues to get the taller door mirrors that the seven-seater lacks.
Inside, the changes are more minimal, with the 12.3-inch instrument and infotainment displays now integrated into a single curved display. The two screens are now fitted as standard – no more analogue gauge cluster as was fitted to the previous 11-seater.
Running them is an updated Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) infotainment system, which is faster and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also fitted is a full-width ambient lighting strip under the full-width air vents, while the audio and air-con controls have been combined into a single switchable touch panel as per the EV6, freeing up space for a larger storage cubby. Elsewhere, the seven USB ports throughout the vehicle are now of the USB-C kind.
The cabin is configured in a 2-3-3-3 seating layout for the 11-seater and a 2-2-3 layout for the seven-seater. The latter’s second-row power-adjustable captain’s chairs come with a one-touch Premium Relaxation recline function and can be slid manually either fore and aft or side to side. On both variants, the front seats are eight-way power adjustable with lumbar adjustment (the seven-seater gains driver’s side four-way lumbar adjustment and memory, as well as front heating and ventilation).
Standard kit includes keyless entry with remote engine start, push-button start, triple-zone auto air-con with third-row air vents, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, faux leather upholstery, second- and third-row side window sunshades, paddle shifters, a Qi wireless charger, six speakers and a 360-degree monitor. The seven-seater adds a head-up display, genuine leather and a 12-speaker Bose sound system, although the old car’s dual sunroofs have been dropped with the facelift.
Frustratingly, KSM has still seen fit to reserve driver assists to the seven-seater, even basic functions such as autonomous emergency braking – now outfitted with junction turning collision avoidance, at least. Other features include adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring with collision avoidance, blind spot cameras, rear cross traffic alert with auto brake and a driver attention monitor.
Eight airbags – including a driver’s knee airbag and a new front centre airbag – and stability control are standard fitment, as is a door opening warning and a rear seat reminder.
GALLERY: 2026 Kia Carnival 2.2D 11-seater facelift in Malaysia
GALLERY: 2026 Kia Carnival 2.2D 7-seater facelift in Malaysia
GALLERY: 2026 Kia Carnival facelift official photos
GALLERY: 2026 Kia Carnival facelift brochure
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makes good VIP travel or commute vehicle. very comfy and spacious. too heavy and large for normal work commute. weekend long distance travel is very suited for this behemoth. always awe when passed by on the road.
peninsula drivers cannot afford to pay RM3 for diesel .
pretty sure who buy 200k car can afford
pretty sure its quite silly to buy a diesel instead of petrol vehicle. when diesel fuel price is 50% more
Lol this is their strategy in malaysia after taking over?Good luck..im speechless alredy..Go go KIA..Sure this is the ‘right pricing’
Too expensive with minor upgrades and some downgrades. removing the sunroof is a big mistake as it loses its premiumness. there is also no free service which is a big letdown. buyers will tend to go for the XPeng X9 or GWM Wey G9 which is price in the same region but has better design, power and tech. soldiering on the 2.2 diesel is also another big mistake as cost of fuel will fluctuate and it might go up higher. KSM with its new management is still like the same old management. This car will definitely not be selling well.
KIA Malaysia….all your esteemed vehicles,are DOA.
Carlovers…have all migrated to cheaper alternatives.
Make no mistake..Korean cars are no more the “in thing”in Msia.Like Hyundai..KIA will most likely be ” display showroom models”.
KIA will likely be in the same league as Tan Chong’s Nissan.
carnival vs staria, which is a better buy?
marketing strategy wrong. Y still bring in diesel, when u know the diesel price is higher here than petrol? shld bring in the petrol hybrid version. If u launch hybrid around 170k-180k, i think will sell very well.
Already stated up there, no tax incentive for hybrid, so may end up priced higher than now. Its the dilemma
HEV will be more expensive than diesel and more frugal driving around Klang Valley. Occasionally I manage 4.4L/100km on suburban roads (not in MY) with regen set to Auto loaded with 7 pax. Service interval is 10k km.
HEV will be more expensive than diesel and more frugal driving around Klang Valley. Occasionally I manage 4.4L/100km on suburban roads (not in MY) with regen set to Auto loaded with 7 pax. Service interval is 10k km.
Ksm should push the hybrid model instead
With these prices. Won’t really help much.
If really want to build a competitive advantage. Carnival and Sorento price below RM180k. Offer free service and warranty of 7 years. Bring in 1.6 turbo hybrid series. China brand cars are overwhelmed. New models, pricing, servicing, warranty are the reset strategies for rebuilding the returns of existing and welcome of new Kia customers. Else, no matter change how many times the management also useless. Because the focus of the root causes are inaccurate and repeated again for the same falls. The monthly Sales results of the Kia will proof the effectivenes of the new change. Talk and theory can be very nice in news. But, work or not, the sales results will tell. Good luck Kia!
Diesel? Haaa….Good luck new KIA
How many people will buy Kia above 200k? Bring in Turbo hybrid series and price below 180k. Kia will sell well if other new models pricing follow the previous price settings. Else, only see Kia cars at the showroom.
Why no 8 seater? Was waiting for that. Took so long to have the face lift, when it has been out for so long.
it is diesel bcoz of 11 seaters. pernah nampak van / bas guna petrol x???