Verdict
The Kia Carnival is the rational Malaysian people-mover at RM188,888: it carries 11, uses a 72-litre diesel tank and has a 150,000-km vehicle warranty. The RM269,888 MIFA 9 trades four seats for electric running, a 435-km range and a vast 1,010-litre boot, versus 56 litres in the Carnival. It also gets adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking. But an RM81,000 jump is substantial, while its 100,000-km vehicle warranty is shorter. Choose by passenger count first: these MPVs do fundamentally different jobs.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need all 11 seats, six front and six rear parking sensors, and an RM81,000 lower entry price.
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if seven seats are enough and you want a 435-km EV range, 1,010 litres of boot space and active safety assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888.
- Seating and boot space: Carnival 11 seats and 56 litres; MIFA 9 seven seats and 1,010 litres.
- Powertrain output: Carnival 2,151 cc diesel with 197 hp and 440 Nm; MIFA 9 single motor with 241 hp and 350 Nm.
- Energy and charging: Carnival has a 72-litre diesel tank; MIFA 9 has 435 km range, 11 kW AC and 120 kW DC charging.
- Active safety: Carnival has no lane-keeping assist or autonomous braking; MIFA 9 gets steering correction and autonomous braking.
- Warranty mileage: Carnival has five years/150,000 km; MIFA 9 has five years/100,000 km, plus an eight-year/200,000-km battery warranty.
Carnival
- RM81,000 less to buy.
- 11-seat layout.
- 360-degree camera with six front and six rear parking sensors.
- Only 56 litres of boot space versus the MIFA 9's 1,010 litres.
- No autonomous braking, blind spot information system or collision warning.
- RM561 annual road tax versus RM220.
MIFA 9
- 435-km EV range with 11 kW AC and 120 kW DC charging.
- 1,010-litre boot space.
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and blind spot information system.
- Costs RM81,000 more.
- Seven seats versus the Carnival's 11.
- 100,000-km vehicle warranty versus the Carnival's 150,000 km; the battery itself is covered for 200,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888✓ | RM269,888 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM220✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| 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 | — | 241 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 350 Nm |
| EV Range | — | 435 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 120 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 | — | 9.2 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 5,270 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 3,200 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 3,095 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 1,010 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual 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 front passenger and outer two second 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 Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED Tail Lights |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Power Lumbar |
| 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 | Sliding and Folding Second 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 | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 8-speaker sound system |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| 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 | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | Powered Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 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 & MIFA 9 for sale
Carnival vs MIFA 9 FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Maxus MIFA 9 better?
The Carnival is better for moving the largest number of people, with 11 seats and a far lower purchase price. The MIFA 9 is better for seven occupants needing substantial luggage room, EV driving and more driver-assistance features.
What is the price difference?
The Maxus MIFA 9 costs RM81,000 more than the Kia Carnival.
Which has more seats and luggage space?
The Carnival has 11 seats but only 56 litres of boot space. The MIFA 9 has seven seats and 1,010 litres of boot space, so it is the luggage carrier while the Kia is the people carrier.