Verdict
The RM110,112 gap is substantial: the RM299,000 Denza D9 brings a 308 hp electric motor, 103.36 kWh battery, 520 km claimed range and 166 kW DC charging, while annual road tax is RM335 against the Carnival’s RM561. It is also the more lavish seven-seater, with ventilated massaging second-row captain’s chairs and a 410-litre boot. The RM188,888 Kia Carnival answers with 11 seats, a 197 hp/440 Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel and an eight-speed automatic. For Malaysian families carrying more than seven people, the Kia’s seating capacity matters more than the D9’s luxury extras.
Pick the Denza D9 if you want EV running, a 520 km claimed range and a properly luxurious seven-seat cabin with a 410-litre boot.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need up to 11 seats and want to save RM110,112 upfront.
Key differences
- Price: Denza D9 RM299,000; Kia Carnival RM188,888.
- Powertrain: D9 308 hp/360 Nm electric motor; Carnival 197 hp/440 Nm 2,151 cc turbodiesel.
- Energy storage: D9 103.36 kWh battery with 520 km range; Carnival 72-litre diesel tank.
- Seating: D9 7 seats; Carnival 11 seats.
- Boot space: D9 410 litres; Carnival 56 litres.
- Dimensions: D9 5,250 mm long and 1,920 mm tall; Carnival 5,155 mm long and 1,775 mm tall.
D9
- 308 hp motor and 520 km claimed EV range.
- 166 kW DC charging and 6 kW V2L.
- Ventilated, massaging second-row captain’s chairs plus a 410-litre boot.
- Costs RM110,112 more than the Carnival.
- Seats seven, versus the Carnival’s 11 seats.
- Has fewer airbags listed: driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags versus the Carnival’s added front-centre and driver’s-knee airbags.
Carnival
- 11-seat layout with removable, sliding and reclining second- and third-row seats.
- 440 Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel with an eight-speed automatic.
- Front-centre and driver’s-knee airbags, plus front foglamps and manual rear sun shades.
- Has only 56 litres of boot space versus the D9’s 410 litres.
- Lacks blind-spot information, autonomous braking, collision warning and lane-keeping assist fitted to the D9.
- Second-row seats lack the D9’s ventilation, massage and ottoman support.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM299,000 | RM188,888✓ |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM561 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 197 hp |
| Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Diesel |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 16 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 360 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 103.36 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 520 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 166 kW | — |
| V2L | 6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,250 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,920 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,110 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 11 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres✓ | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Frequency Selective variable dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on Middle and Outer Third Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | Second-row Captain Seats with Ventilation, Massaging and Ottoman Support, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Sliding, Reclining and Removable 2nd Row with Tip-up Centre Seat, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Sliding, Reclining and Removable 3rd Row with Tip-up Centre Seat, Folding 4th Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Front Single-pane Sunroof, Panoramic Rear Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 Wireless Chargers Rear, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shades | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Dynaudio Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Rear Sliding Doors | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Heated and Cooled Compartment, Second Row Tray Tables | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/150,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used D9 & Carnival for sale
D9 vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Denza D9 or Kia Carnival better?
The Denza D9 is better for a premium seven-seat EV, with 520 km claimed range, 410 litres of boot space and second-row massage seats. The Kia Carnival is the better tool for large groups because it carries 11 people and costs much less.
What is the price difference?
The Denza D9 costs RM299,000 and the Kia Carnival costs RM188,888, so the D9 is RM110,112 more expensive.
Which MPV carries more passengers?
The Kia Carnival carries 11 people, four more than the seven-seat Denza D9. Its second and third rows are sliding, reclining and removable, and it also has a folding fourth row.
