Verdict
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 is the sharper five-seat choice: its 257 hp petrol four-cylinder has 60 hp more than the Kia Carnival’s 197 hp diesel, while 400 Nm plays against the Kia’s stronger 440 Nm. It is also 380 mm shorter and carries a 660-litre boot, against 56 litres in the Carnival. But the Kia’s 11 seats, 3,090-mm wheelbase and powered sliding rear doors answer a very different family need. The C9 adds autonomous braking, lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control; the Carnival counters with far more passenger accommodation.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo C9 if you need five seats, a 660-litre boot and active safety systems including autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you regularly carry large groups and need its 11-seat cabin, powered sliding doors and rear air-conditioning through to the third row.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo C9 RM168,800; Kia Carnival RM188,888.
- Seats: Omoda Jaecoo C9 5; Kia Carnival 11.
- Length and wheelbase: Omoda Jaecoo C9 4,775 mm and 2,800 mm; Kia Carnival 5,155 mm and 3,090 mm.
- Power and torque: Omoda Jaecoo C9 257 hp and 400 Nm; Kia Carnival 197 hp and 440 Nm.
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo C9 660 litres; Kia Carnival 56 litres.
- Warranty: Omoda Jaecoo C9 seven years/150,000 km; Kia Carnival five years/150,000 km.
C9
- 257 hp from a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
- 660-litre boot and a full-size spare tyre.
- Five seats versus the Carnival’s 11.
- No powered sliding rear doors.
- Rear air-conditioning is via vents, versus the Carnival’s single-zone automatic rear system.
Carnival
- 11 seats across four rows, with sliding, reclining and removable second- and third-row seats.
- Powered sliding rear doors on both sides.
- 440 Nm diesel torque from 1,750 rpm.
- RM20,088 more expensive.
- 197 hp, 60 hp less than the C9.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot information system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,800✓ | 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 | 257 hp✓ | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 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 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,775 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,671 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | 1,786 kg | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 11 |
| Boot Space | 660 litres✓ | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | 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 & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 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 | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear 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 with Seat Ventilation | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 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 | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear, 2 Wireless Chargers | 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 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight Speaker 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| 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 C9 & Carnival for sale
C9 vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo C9 or Kia Carnival better?
The C9 is better for five occupants wanting a larger 660-litre boot, 257 hp and driver assists. The Carnival is better for carrying people: it has 11 seats, powered sliding doors and a 3,090-mm wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM20,088 more than the Omoda Jaecoo C9: RM188,888 against RM168,800.
Which has more usable space for a big family?
The Kia Carnival does. Its 11-seat layout includes sliding, reclining and removable second- and third-row seats plus a folding fourth row. The C9 has five seats, but its quoted boot space is much larger at 660 litres versus 56 litres.
