Verdict
At RM188,888, the Kia Carnival costs RM8,529 more than the RM180,359 Mazda 6 Sedan, but it is a fundamentally different tool: its 11 seats, 3,090-mm wheelbase and power sliding rear doors suit large-family transport. Its 2.2-litre diesel also delivers 197 hp and 440 Nm, well beyond the Mazda’s 163 hp and 213 Nm. The Mazda counters with a far more useful 489-litre boot against 56 litres, a 5.7 L/100 km rating and blind-spot monitoring. Pick by passenger count, not badge or segment label.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, three-row air vents and 440 Nm for carrying a genuinely large family.
Pick the Mazda 6 Sedan if five seats are enough and you want a 489-litre boot, rated 5.7 L/100 km economy and blind-spot monitoring.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Mazda 6 Sedan RM180,359.
- Power and torque: Kia Carnival 197 hp and 440 Nm; Mazda 6 Sedan 163 hp and 213 Nm.
- Size: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long with a 3,090-mm wheelbase; Mazda 6 Sedan 4,865 mm and 2,830 mm.
- Seating and boot space: Kia Carnival 11 seats and 56 litres; Mazda 6 Sedan five seats and 489 litres.
- Transmission: Kia Carnival eight-speed automatic; Mazda 6 Sedan six-speed automatic.
- Rated economy: Kia Carnival not stated; Mazda 6 Sedan 5.7 L/100 km.
Carnival
- 11 seats with removable, sliding and reclining second- and third-row seats
- 197 hp and 440 Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel
- Power sliding doors, 360-degree camera and 12.3-inch touchscreen
- 56-litre boot is 433 litres smaller than the Mazda’s
- Costs RM8,529 more
- No blind-spot information system or navigation
6 Sedan
- 489-litre boot
- Rated at 5.7 L/100 km and weighs 1,393 kg
- Blind-spot monitoring, navigation and G-Vectoring Control Plus
- Only five seats versus the Carnival’s 11
- 163 hp and 213 Nm trail the Carnival’s 197 hp and 440 Nm
- No third-row air vents or power sliding rear doors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888 | RM180,359✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| 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 | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp✓ | 163 hp |
| Torque | 440 Nm✓ | 213 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 10.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.7 L/100 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,865 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,830 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 1,393 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 489 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/55R17 |
| 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 | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| 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 | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For 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 |
| 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 | MZD Connect Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Radio, CD, MP3, AUX, USB and Bluetooth, 6 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5-year/100,000-km Free Service |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM379✓ |
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 Sedan for sale
Carnival vs 6 Sedan FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Mazda 6 Sedan better?
The Carnival is better for moving up to 11 people, with far stronger 440 Nm diesel torque and power sliding doors. The Mazda 6 Sedan is the better five-seat choice if boot space, rated 5.7 L/100 km consumption and blind-spot monitoring matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 and the Mazda 6 Sedan costs RM180,359, so the Carnival is RM8,529 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space?
The Mazda 6 Sedan has the larger quoted boot at 489 litres. The Kia Carnival is quoted at 56 litres, although it has removable and folding rear seating across its second, third and fourth rows.