Verdict
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 to the Honda Odyssey’s RM275,311, leaving an RM86,423 gap for a Malaysian family to consider. It is also the more practical people carrier: 11 seats, a 3,090 mm wheelbase and 440 Nm from its 2.2-litre turbodiesel. The Odyssey counters with seven seats, Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction, plus unlimited-mileage five-year warranty cover. Choose the Honda for its active-safety kit; choose the Kia if carrying more people and stronger low-end torque matter more.
Pick the Honda Odyssey if you need seven seats and prioritise Honda Sensing autonomous braking, lane-keeping assistance and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need up to 11 seats, 440 Nm of diesel torque and RM86,423 left in your budget.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Odyssey RM275,311; Kia Carnival RM188,888.
- Seating capacity: Honda Odyssey 7 seats; Kia Carnival 11 seats.
- Output: Honda Odyssey 173 hp and 225 Nm; Kia Carnival 197 hp and 440 Nm.
- Size: Honda Odyssey 4,830 mm long with a 2,900 mm wheelbase; Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long with a 3,090 mm wheelbase.
- Fuel tank: Honda Odyssey 55 litres; Kia Carnival 72 litres.
- Warranty mileage: Honda Odyssey 5 years unlimited mileage; Kia Carnival 5 years/150,000 km.
Odyssey
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Blind Spot Information System and active cruise control
- Costs RM86,423 more
- Seven seats versus the Carnival’s 11 seats
- 173 hp and 225 Nm trail the Carnival’s 197 hp and 440 Nm
Carnival
- 11-seat layout with removable, sliding and reclining second- and third-row seats
- 197 hp and 440 Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel with eight-speed automatic
- 72-litre fuel tank, powered boot and 12.3-inch touchscreen
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- Five-year warranty is capped at 150,000 km
- Passive cruise control versus the Odyssey’s active cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM275,311 | RM188,888✓ |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM725 | RM561✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,356 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | 173 hp | 197 hp✓ |
| Torque | 225 Nm | 440 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 87 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.1 | 16 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,800 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 11 |
| Boot Space | — | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtains | 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 | 7 Three-point | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer middle row passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Brake Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | Manual reclining and sliding Ottoman Captain Middle Row Seats, Manual Reclinable Last Row, 40:20:40 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, tilt and slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 3 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window sun shades | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 8" Advanced Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, Multi-angle with 360 View | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Foot-operated | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free labour for 1,000 km, 10,000 km, 30,000 km, 50,000 km, 70,000 km and 90,000 km intervals | — |
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 Odyssey & Carnival for sale
Odyssey vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival better?
The Carnival is better for maximum passenger capacity, stronger torque and lower entry cost, with 11 seats and 440 Nm. The Odyssey is the better safety-led choice, adding autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and active cruise control.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Odyssey is RM86,423 more expensive than the Kia Carnival: RM275,311 versus RM188,888.
Which MPV has more seats and luggage capacity?
The Kia Carnival has 11 seats, compared with seven in the Honda Odyssey, and its stated boot space is 56 litres. No boot-space figure is stated for the Odyssey.