Verdict
The RM50,000 jump from RM188,888 to RM238,888 does not change the 2.2-litre diesel’s 197 hp and 440 Nm, eight-speed automatic or front-wheel-drive layout. It buys a more safety-focused eight-seater with autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, collision warning, steering-correction lane keeping and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go. You also get ventilated, memory-equipped driver’s seating, a 12-speaker Bose system, head-up display and 19-inch wheels. But the cheaper Carnival carries 11 people and has a folding fourth row, so it remains the sensible choice when maximum passenger capacity matters.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats and a folding fourth row rather than extra driver-assistance and luxury equipment.
Pick the Kia Carnival if eight seats are enough and you want autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, Bose audio and ventilated front seating.
Key differences
- Price: RM188,888 versus RM238,888, a RM50,000 gap.
- Seating: 11 seats versus 8 seats.
- Wheels and tyres: 18-inch alloys with 235/60R18 tyres versus 19-inch alloys with 235/55R19 tyres.
- Driver assistance: no autonomous braking, blind-spot information or collision warning versus all three fitted, plus steering-correction lane keeping.
- Cruise control: passive cruise control versus adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
- Audio: six speakers versus a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
11-seater
- 11-seat cabin with a folding fourth row.
- Second-row seats are removable and include a tip-up centre seat.
- 40:20:40 split-folding third-row seating.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information system or collision warning.
- Passive cruise control rather than adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
- No driver’s-seat memory or ventilation, head-up display, or Bose audio.
8-seater
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot information, collision warning and steering-correction lane keeping.
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
- Driver’s-seat memory and ventilation, head-up display, and 12-speaker Bose audio.
- Eight seats instead of 11.
- No fourth row; its third row is 60:40 split-folding rather than 40:20:40.
- Costs RM50,000 more.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888✓ | RM238,888 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM561 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm |
| Torque | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 99.4 mm | 83 mm × 99.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 16 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 8 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| 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) | 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 | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts | 8 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd 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 Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory Function and Ventilation |
| 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 | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Sliding, Swivelling and Reclining 2nd Row, 60:40 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose Sound System |
| 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | 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 | 5 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 cars for sale
11-seater vs 8-seater FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Kia Carnival better?
The RM238,888 Kia Carnival is better equipped for driver assistance and comfort, with autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, ventilated front seats and Bose audio. The RM188,888 Kia Carnival is better if you need 11 seats rather than eight.
What is the price difference?
The difference is RM50,000. The higher-priced Kia Carnival adds active safety systems, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, a head-up display, ventilated memory front seating and a 12-speaker Bose system.
Which Kia Carnival carries more people?
The RM188,888 Kia Carnival seats 11 people and includes a folding fourth row. The RM238,888 version seats eight, using a swivelling and reclining 40:20:40 second row with a 60:40 third row.
