Verdict
At just RM240 apart, this is a choice of job rather than budget. The Kia Carnival’s 11 seats, 3,090 mm wheelbase and 440 Nm diesel torque make it the family shuttle, backed by power sliding doors, third-row air vents and a 360-degree camera. Its compromise is a huge 2,129 kg kerb weight and only 56 litres of quoted boot space. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring is a five-seat wagon with a far more useful 522-litre boot, 19-inch wheels and a 218 km/h top speed, but cannot match the Carnival’s carrying capacity or 197 hp/440 Nm output.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, power sliding rear doors and the diesel’s 440 Nm for carrying a full family.
Pick the Mazda 6 Grand Touring if five seats are enough and you want a 522-litre boot, lower 1,506 kg weight and 19-inch wheels.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Mazda 6 Grand Touring RM188,648.
- Seating: Kia Carnival 11 seats; Mazda 6 Grand Touring 5 seats.
- Torque: Kia Carnival 440 Nm; Mazda 6 Grand Touring 250 Nm.
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; Mazda 6 Grand Touring 522 litres.
- Length: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm; Mazda 6 Grand Touring 4,800 mm.
- Warranty: Kia Carnival 5 years/150,000 km; Mazda 6 Grand Touring 3 years/100,000 km.
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with sliding, reclining and removable rear rows.
- 440 Nm 2.2-litre diesel and eight-speed automatic.
- Power sliding doors, 360-degree camera and rear climate control.
- Quoted 56-litre boot is far smaller than the Mazda’s 522 litres.
- At 2,129 kg, it is 623 kg heavier than the Mazda.
- No blind spot information system or navigation.
6 Grand Touring
- 522-litre boot in a shorter 4,800 mm body.
- Blind spot information system, navigation and sunroof.
- 5-star Euro NCAP and ANCAP ratings with six airbags and stability control.
- Only five seats versus the Carnival’s 11.
- 250 Nm and 185 hp trail the Carnival’s 440 Nm and 197 hp.
- Three-year/100,000 km warranty is shorter than the Carnival’s five-year/150,000 km cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888 | RM188,648✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561✓ | RM868 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 440 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 218 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,800 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,480 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 1,506 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (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 (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable 8-way Driver's Seat with Memory, Power Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| 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 | 60:40 Split-folding |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Front, tilt and slide |
| 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 |
| 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 | Touch-screen with radio, CD, MP3, AUX, USB and Bluetooth, 11 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 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 & 6 Grand Touring for sale
Carnival vs 6 Grand Touring FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Mazda 6 Grand Touring better?
The Carnival is better for large families because it carries 11 people and has power sliding doors. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring suits five occupants needing luggage room, with a 522-litre boot versus the Carnival’s quoted 56 litres.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 and the Mazda 6 Grand Touring costs RM188,648. The Carnival is RM240 more expensive.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Kia Carnival has lower annual road tax at RM561, compared with RM868 for the Mazda 6 Grand Touring. That is a RM307 yearly difference in the Kia’s favour.