Verdict
At RM168,800 versus RM188,888, the Omoda Jaecoo C9 is the cheaper, stronger five-seat SUV: 257 hp, 400 Nm, 660 litres of boot space, AEB, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise. The Kia Carnival is a very different answer, an 11-seat diesel MPV with 440 Nm, a 3,090 mm wheelbase, power sliding doors and a 72-litre tank. For Malaysian family duty, choose between seats and space management, not just badge or price; the C9 also pays lower road tax at RM439 versus RM561.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo C9 if you want a five-seat SUV with more power, more listed driver assistance and a much larger boot with all seats up.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need an 11-seat MPV with diesel torque, sliding doors and the longer cabin that makes big-family transport easier.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo C9 RM168,800; Kia Carnival RM188,888
- Seats and body: Omoda Jaecoo C9 is a 5-seat SUV; Kia Carnival is an 11-seat MPV
- Engine output: Omoda Jaecoo C9 1,998 cc petrol with 257 hp and 400 Nm; Kia Carnival 2,151 cc diesel with 197 hp and 440 Nm
- Size: Omoda Jaecoo C9 4,775 mm long with 2,800 mm wheelbase; Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long with 3,090 mm wheelbase
- Cargo and tank: Omoda Jaecoo C9 660-litre boot and 65-litre tank; Kia Carnival 56-litre boot and 72-litre tank
- Warranty and assistance: Omoda Jaecoo C9 7 years/150,000 km with AEB, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise; Kia Carnival 5 years/150,000 km with passive…
C9
- RM20,088 cheaper than the Kia Carnival
- 257 hp, AEB, adaptive cruise and head-up display are listed
- 660-litre boot with the rear seats in place
- Only 5 seats versus 11 in the Kia Carnival
- Less torque: 400 Nm versus 440 Nm
- No power sliding rear doors
Carnival
- 11-seat MPV cabin with power sliding rear doors
- 440 Nm diesel torque and a 72-litre fuel tank
- Longer 3,090 mm wheelbase and rear automatic climate control
- Costs RM20,088 more than the Omoda Jaecoo C9
- Lower output: 197 hp versus 257 hp
- No listed AEB, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,800✓ | 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 | 257 hp✓ | 197 hp |
| Torque | 400 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 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,775 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,671 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | 1,786 kg | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 11 |
| Boot Space | 660 litres✓ | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | 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 & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | 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 | 5 Three-point | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear 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 with Seat Ventilation | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 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 | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear, 2 Wireless Chargers | 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 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight Speaker 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| 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 C9 & Carnival for sale
C9 vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo C9 or Kia Carnival better?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 is better for five-seat SUV use, value and driver assistance. The Kia Carnival is better if you need 11 seats, sliding doors and diesel torque for moving a large family.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM20,088 more than the Omoda Jaecoo C9. That gap mainly buys the MPV body, 11 seats, power sliding rear doors, diesel torque and a longer wheelbase.
Which has more boot space with all seats in use?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 has the bigger quoted boot at 660 litres. The Kia Carnival has 56 litres with its seats in use, but it counters with 11 seats against the C9’s five.