Verdict
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 to the Maxus MIFA 9’s RM269,888, leaving an RM81,000 gap that matters more than the MIFA 9’s lower RM220 annual road tax against RM561. The Carnival is the people-mover here, with 11 seats to the Maxus’ seven, but its 56-litre boot is tiny beside the MIFA 9’s 1,010 litres. The Maxus is also the EV choice, with a 241-hp motor, 435 km range and 120 kW DC charging, plus adaptive cruise control and collision warning. Choose capacity or electric running and luggage room; they serve distinctly different families.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need all 11 seats and want to keep RM81,000 in your pocket.
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if seven seats, a 1,010-litre boot, 435 km EV range and active safety aids matter more than upfront cost.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888.
- Annual road tax: Kia Carnival RM561; Maxus MIFA 9 RM220.
- Seating: Kia Carnival 11 seats; Maxus MIFA 9 seven seats.
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; Maxus MIFA 9 1,010 litres.
- Wheelbase: Kia Carnival 3,090 mm; Maxus MIFA 9 3,200 mm.
- Powertrain: Kia Carnival 197 hp/440 Nm 2.2-litre diesel; Maxus MIFA 9 241 hp/350 Nm electric motor.
Carnival
- RM81,000 lower purchase price.
- 11-seat cabin and 72-litre diesel tank.
- Six front and six rear parking sensors, plus a 360-degree camera.
- Only 56 litres of boot space versus the MIFA 9’s 1,010 litres.
- No blind-spot monitoring, collision warning, autonomous braking or adaptive cruise control.
- No extended warranty, while the MIFA 9 gets eight years and 200,000 km.
MIFA 9
- 435 km EV range, 11 kW AC and 120 kW DC charging.
- 1,010-litre boot and a longer 3,200 mm wheelbase.
- Five-star EuroNCAP rating, adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking.
- RM81,000 more expensive than the Carnival.
- Seven seats versus the Carnival’s 11.
- No front or rear parking sensors, where the Carnival has six of each.
| 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 Mileage Extended | — | 200,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 8 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 Carnival & MIFA 9 for sale
Carnival vs MIFA 9 FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Maxus MIFA 9 better?
The Carnival is better for maximum passenger capacity and lower purchase cost, with 11 seats. The MIFA 9 is better for an EV drivetrain, a 1,010-litre boot and active safety equipment including autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control.
What is the price difference?
The Maxus MIFA 9 costs RM81,000 more than the Kia Carnival. Its annual road tax is RM341 lower, at RM220 rather than RM561.
Which MPV is better for passengers and luggage?
The Kia Carnival carries more people, seating 11 against seven. The Maxus MIFA 9 carries far more luggage behind its seats, with 1,010 litres of boot space versus 56 litres.