Verdict
At RM178,800, the Omoda Jaecoo J8 undercuts the RM188,888 Kia Carnival by RM10,088 and brings 246 hp, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking. Its 200-litre boot is also far more usable than the Carnival’s 56 litres. But the Kia is the people mover: it seats 11, against five in the J8, with a 3,090-mm wheelbase and power sliding doors on both sides. Choose the J8 for a better-equipped five-seat SUV; pay the extra for the Carnival only when passenger capacity is the priority.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J8 if you want a five-seat SUV with 246 hp, 200 litres of boot space and active driver assistance for RM10,088 less.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you regularly need up to 11 seats, a 3,090-mm wheelbase and power sliding rear doors.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo J8 RM178,800; Kia Carnival RM188,888.
- Seating: Omoda Jaecoo J8 five seats; Kia Carnival 11 seats.
- Power and torque: Omoda Jaecoo J8 246 hp and 385 Nm; Kia Carnival 197 hp and 440 Nm.
- Size: Omoda Jaecoo J8 is 4,820 mm long with a 2,820-mm wheelbase; Kia Carnival is 5,155 mm long with a 3,090-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo J8 200 litres; Kia Carnival 56 litres.
- Safety assistance: Omoda Jaecoo J8 has autonomous braking and steering-correction lane keeping; Kia Carnival has neither.
J8
- RM10,088 lower purchase price.
- 246 hp and a claimed 0-100 km/h time of nine seconds.
- Adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- Only five seats versus the Carnival’s 11.
- Six airbags versus eight.
- No power sliding rear doors.
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with sliding, reclining and removable second- and third-row seats.
- 440 Nm from 1,750 rpm.
- Power sliding rear doors on both sides and eight airbags.
- RM10,088 more expensive.
- 56-litre boot versus 200 litres.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,800✓ | RM188,888 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM561 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | 246 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm |
| Torque | 385 Nm at 1,750 rpm | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 99.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 16 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,820 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,699 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | 1,892 kg | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 11 |
| Boot Space | 200 litres✓ | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags) | 8 (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 | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available For Second 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 | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding and Reclining | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB 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, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-Speaker Sony 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 Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
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 J8 & Carnival for sale
J8 vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J8 or Kia Carnival better?
The J8 is better for five occupants, lower purchase cost and driver assistance, with 246 hp, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival is better when 11 seats and power sliding doors matter more than boot space or active safety assistance.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 and the Omoda Jaecoo J8 costs RM178,800, so the Carnival is RM10,088 more expensive.
Which has more passenger space?
The Kia Carnival is the clear choice for passenger capacity, seating 11 versus five in the J8. It is also 335 mm longer and has a 270-mm longer wheelbase, at 3,090 mm.
