Kia Carnival vs MINI Convertible
Verdict
The Kia Carnival is the practical, cheaper giant here: RM188,888 buys an 11-seat D-segment MPV with a 2.2-litre diesel, 440 Nm and a five-year warranty. The MINI Convertible is a very different buy at RM318,888, with four seats, a 2.0-litre petrol engine, 204 hp and a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time. For a Malaysian buyer, this is space and diesel torque versus pace and open-top style. The Kia is 1,276 mm longer, but the MINI has the larger quoted boot: 215 litres against 56 litres.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, diesel torque and a longer five-year warranty more than acceleration figures.
Pick the MINI Convertible if you want a four-seat convertible with 204 hp, a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time and auto emergency braking.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; MINI Convertible RM318,888
- Seats: Kia Carnival 11; MINI Convertible 4
- Power and torque: Kia Carnival 197 hp/440 Nm; MINI Convertible 204 hp/300 Nm
- Size: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long/1,995 mm wide; MINI Convertible 3,879 mm long/1,744 mm wide
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; MINI Convertible 215 litres
- Warranty and airbags: Kia Carnival 5 years/8 airbags; MINI Convertible 2 years/6 airbags
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 188,888✓ | RM 318,888 |
| Body type | MPV | Convertible |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Seats | 11 | 4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Engine | 2,151 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Power | 197 hp | 204 hp✓ |
| Torque | 440 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | — | 6.9 s |
| Top speed | — | 237 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 3,879 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,744 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,495 mm |
| Boot space | 56 L | 215 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 72 L | 44 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8✓ | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 561 | RM 379✓ |
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.
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin
- Strong 440 Nm diesel torque
- Five-year warranty
- Quoted boot space is only 56 litres
- No 0-100 km/h or top speed figure listed
- Auto emergency braking not listed
Convertible
- 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Auto emergency braking included
- Lower annual road tax at RM379
- Costs RM130,000 more
- Only four seats
- Shorter two-year warranty
Carnival vs Convertible FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or MINI Convertible better?
For family use, the Kia Carnival is the better fit because it has 11 seats, 440 Nm and a five-year warranty. The MINI Convertible is better if you prioritise a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time and open-top motoring.
What is the price difference?
The MINI Convertible costs RM130,000 more than the Kia Carnival, at RM318,888 versus RM188,888.
Which has more boot space?
The MINI Convertible has the larger quoted boot at 215 litres. The Kia Carnival is listed at 56 litres, despite being much larger and having 11 seats.