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
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
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888✓ | RM318,888 |
| Body type | MPV | Convertible |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16 valve, DOHC, variable intake and exhaust cam timing, variable intake valve lift, twin-scroll turbo |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp | 204 hp✓ |
| Torque | 440 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | 7-speed Steptronic Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.9 seconds |
| 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 |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 44 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 11 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 215 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| 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 | — |
| Seat Belts | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| 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 | 50:50 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient 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 | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System |
| 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 Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 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 & Convertible for sale
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.