Verdict
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888, RM34,088 more than the RM154,800 Nissan Serena e-Power, and that money buys a much larger 5,155-mm body, 11 seats and an 8-speed diesel with 440 Nm. It is the choice for moving very large groups, though its 56-litre boot is tiny on paper and annual road tax is RM561. The seven-seat Serena is 465 mm shorter, has a far more usable 280-litre boot and costs RM120 a year in road tax. Its e-Power motor supplies 160 hp and 315 Nm, while autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring strengthen its safety kit.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, a 3,090-mm wheelbase and the diesel’s 440 Nm for carrying a full load.
Pick the Nissan Serena e-Power if seven seats are enough and you want the lower RM154,800 entry price, 280-litre boot and autonomous braking.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Nissan Serena e-Power RM154,800.
- Seating and boot space: Carnival 11 seats and 56 litres; Serena e-Power seven seats and 280 litres.
- Size: Carnival 5,155 mm long and 1,995 mm wide; Serena e-Power 4,690 mm long and 1,695 mm wide.
- Powertrain outputs: Carnival diesel engine 197 hp and 440 Nm; Serena e-Power motor 160 hp and 315 Nm.
- Safety equipment: Carnival has eight airbags but no autonomous braking; Serena e-Power has six airbags plus autonomous braking, collision warning and…
- Road tax: Carnival RM561 per year; Serena e-Power RM120 per year.
Carnival
- 11 seats and a 3,090-mm wheelbase.
- 197 hp and 440 Nm diesel with an 8-speed automatic.
- Eight airbags, 360-degree camera and dual power sliding doors.
- RM34,088 dearer and RM441 a year higher in road tax.
- Only 56 litres of boot space versus the Serena e-Power’s 280 litres.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot monitoring.
Serena e-Power
- RM34,088 lower purchase price and RM120 annual road tax.
- 280-litre boot despite its shorter 4,690-mm body.
- Autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring.
- Seven seats versus the Carnival’s 11.
- Motor output is 160 hp and 315 Nm, below the Carnival diesel’s 197 hp and 440 Nm.
- Manual right sliding door and manual split-opening boot.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888 | RM154,800✓ |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 1,433 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm✓ | 97 hp |
| Torque | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ | 123 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 3 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 99.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 160 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 315 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.77 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,885 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,870 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 1,784 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 280 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 205/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 205/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | 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 Middle Row Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| 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 | 50:50 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 2 USB Ports Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation with Split Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | Powered Left Sliding Door, Manual Right Sliding Door |
| 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/160,000 km ePower Components 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 & Serena e-Power for sale
Carnival vs Serena e-Power FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Nissan Serena e-Power better?
The Carnival is better for maximum passenger capacity, with 11 seats and 440 Nm. The Serena e-Power is the better practical seven-seater if you prioritise its 280-litre boot, autonomous braking and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM34,088 more than the Nissan Serena e-Power: RM188,888 against RM154,800.
Which MPV has more boot space?
The Nissan Serena e-Power has 280 litres of boot space, substantially more than the Kia Carnival’s 56 litres.
