Verdict
The Kia Carnival is the straight-value, maximum-capacity play: RM188,888 buys 11 seats, a 2,151 cc diesel with 197 hp and 440 Nm, and a 72-litre tank. The Xpeng X9 costs RM281,073, so the RM92,185 gap buys a 315 hp electric motor, 94.8 kWh battery, 535 km range, a much larger 721-litre boot and AEB. It is also longer, taller and has a 70 mm longer wheelbase. For a Malaysian buyer, this is less about MPV versus MPV, more about seats and price versus EV kit and luggage room.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, a much lower RM188,888 price and diesel torque more than EV range or boot volume.
Pick the Xpeng X9 if you can pay RM281,073 for a 315 hp electric MPV with 535 km range, 721 litres of boot space and AEB.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Xpeng X9 RM281,073
- Seats: Kia Carnival 11; Xpeng X9 7
- Powertrain and power: Kia Carnival 2,151 cc diesel with 197 hp; Xpeng X9 single electric motor with 315 hp
- Size: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long with 3,090 mm wheelbase; Xpeng X9 5,316 mm long with 3,160 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; Xpeng X9 721 litres
- Road tax: Kia Carnival RM561/year; Xpeng X9 RM365/year
Carnival
- RM92,185 cheaper
- 11 seats
- 440 Nm diesel torque and 72-litre tank
- Only 56 litres of boot space
- AEB not listed
- 8 airbags versus 9 in the X9
X9
- 315 hp electric motor
- 535 km EV range from a 94.8 kWh battery
- 721-litre boot and AEB
- RM92,185 dearer
- 7 seats versus 11 in the Carnival
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888✓ | RM281,073 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM365✓ |
| 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 | Diesel | Electric |
| Bore | 83 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 315 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 94.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 535 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 537 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 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 | — | 8.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 5,316 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,988 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 3,160 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 2,750 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 721 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension, Rear-axle Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags, Integrated Second Row Seat Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic 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 Second & Third 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 Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Driver and Front Passenger Powered Seats, Front Seat Ventilation and Massaging |
| 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 | 14-way Second Row Individual Captain Seats with Ventilation, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row with One-touch Electric Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Triple-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Double Glass Roof |
| 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 Front, 4 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 17.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 27-speaker XOpera Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| 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 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | Front Doors & Rear Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 120,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/160,000 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 & X9 for sale
Carnival vs X9 FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Xpeng X9 better?
The Kia Carnival is better for carrying more people and spending less. The Xpeng X9 is better if you want an electric MPV with 315 hp, 535 km range, AEB and far more boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888, while the Xpeng X9 costs RM281,073. That makes the Xpeng RM92,185 more expensive.
Which MPV has more space?
It depends on the space you need. The Kia Carnival has more seats, at 11 versus 7. The Xpeng X9 has the bigger boot, at 721 litres versus just 56 litres, and a longer 3,160 mm wheelbase.
