Verdict
At RM178,800, the Omoda Jaecoo J8 costs RM10,088 less than the RM188,888 Kia Carnival, yet brings 246 hp, a 200-litre boot and a seven-year/150,000-km warranty. It is the sharper fit for five occupants and buyers who want adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance. The Carnival answers with a far longer 3,090-mm wheelbase and seating for 11, making it the clear people-mover choice, though its 56-litre boot is tiny with every seat in use and its annual road tax is RM561 versus RM439.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J8 if you carry five, want 246 hp and driver-assistance systems including adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking.
Pick the Kia Carnival if carrying up to 11 people, using power sliding doors and having USB-C ports across three rows matter more than boot space with all seats occupied.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo J8 RM178,800; Kia Carnival RM188,888.
- Seating: Omoda Jaecoo J8 5 seats; Kia Carnival 11 seats.
- Length and wheelbase: Omoda Jaecoo J8 4,820 mm and 2,820 mm; Kia Carnival 5,155 mm and 3,090 mm.
- Output: Omoda Jaecoo J8 246 hp and 385 Nm; Kia Carnival 197 hp and 440 Nm.
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo J8 200 litres; Kia Carnival 56 litres.
- Warranty: Omoda Jaecoo J8 7 years/150,000 km; Kia Carnival 5 years/150,000 km.
J8
- RM10,088 lower purchase price
- 246 hp and a 200-litre boot
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance
- Only 5 seats against the Carnival's 11
- 385 Nm trails the Carnival's 440 Nm
- No power sliding rear doors
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with sliding, reclining and removable rear seating
- Power sliding doors on both sides
- 440 Nm diesel torque and USB-C ports in all three seating rows
- RM10,088 higher purchase price and RM561 annual road tax versus RM439
- 56-litre boot is 144 litres smaller
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,800✓ | RM188,888 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM561 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | 246 hp✓ | 197 hp |
| Torque | 385 Nm | 440 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 16 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,820 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,699 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | 1,892 kg | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 11 |
| Boot Space | 200 litres✓ | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags | 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 | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available For Second Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding and Reclining | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB 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, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-Speaker Sony Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| 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 View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | 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 | 7 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 J8 & Carnival for sale
J8 vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J8 or Kia Carnival better?
The J8 is better for a five-seat SUV buyer seeking more power, a larger boot and active driver assistance. The Carnival is better when up to 11 seats, a 3,090-mm wheelbase and power sliding doors are non-negotiable.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM10,088 more than the Omoda Jaecoo J8: RM188,888 against RM178,800.
Which is better for a large family?
The Kia Carnival is the clear choice for a large family because it seats 11, versus five in the J8, and has sliding, reclining and removable second- and third-row seats plus a folding fourth row.