Verdict
At RM188,888, the Kia Carnival costs RM81,000 less than the Maxus MIFA 9 and carries 11 people rather than seven, so it is the clear workhorse for large families or passenger-moving duties. Its 2.2-litre diesel supplies 197 hp and 440 Nm, while the MIFA 9’s electric motor makes 241 hp and has a 435 km range, with 11 kW AC and 120 kW DC charging. The MIFA 9 counters with a vast 1,010-litre boot against 56 litres, plus autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. Its annual road tax is also RM220 versus RM561.
Carnival
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, a lower upfront outlay and the longer 150,000 km vehicle warranty.
MIFA 9
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if seven seats are enough and you want a 435 km EV range, 1,010-litre boot and active safety aids.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888.
- Seating: Kia Carnival 11 seats; Maxus MIFA 9 seven seats.
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; Maxus MIFA 9 1,010 litres.
- Wheelbase: Kia Carnival 3,090 mm; Maxus MIFA 9 3,200 mm.
- Powertrain: Kia Carnival 2,151 cc diesel with 197 hp/440 Nm; Maxus MIFA 9 electric motor with 241 hp/350 Nm and 435 km range.
- Warranty mileage: Kia Carnival 150,000 km for five years; Maxus MIFA 9 100,000 km for five years, plus an eight-year/200,000 km battery warranty.
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with folding fourth row.
- RM81,000 lower purchase price.
- Eight airbags and 150,000 km vehicle warranty.
- Only 56 litres of boot space versus the MIFA 9’s 1,010 litres.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist.
- Higher RM561 annual road tax.
MIFA 9
- 435 km EV range with 11 kW AC and 120 kW DC charging.
- 1,010-litre boot and 3,200 mm wheelbase.
- Autonomous braking, collision warning, steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- RM81,000 higher purchase price.
- Seven seats versus the Carnival’s 11.
- Six airbags and a shorter 100,000 km vehicle warranty.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888✓ | RM269,888 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM220✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm | — |
| Torque | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Diesel | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 99.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 241 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 350 Nm |
| EV Range | — | 435 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 120 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.2 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 5,270 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 3,200 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 3,095 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 1,010 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts | 7 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on front passenger and outer two second row seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED Tail Lights |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Power Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | 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 | Sliding and Folding Second Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 8-speaker sound system |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | Powered Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 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 Carnival & MIFA 9 for sale
Carnival vs MIFA 9 FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Maxus MIFA 9 better?
The Carnival is better for carrying up to 11 people at a lower cost. The MIFA 9 is better for a seven-seat EV with a 435 km range, 1,010-litre boot and active driver-assistance systems.
What is the price difference?
The Maxus MIFA 9 costs RM81,000 more than the Kia Carnival.
Which MPV has the larger boot?
The Maxus MIFA 9 has the larger boot at 1,010 litres, compared with 56 litres in the Kia Carnival.
