Kia Carnival vs Renault Koleos
Verdict
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 and the Renault Koleos RM191,888, so the Renault is RM3,000 dearer despite being the smaller car. The choice is really layout: the Carnival is a 5,155 mm MPV with 11 seats, huge 440 Nm diesel torque and power sliding doors, but only 56 litres of boot space with all seats in use. The Koleos is a 4,672 mm SUV with five seats, a much larger 542-litre boot and 589 kg less weight. For big households, the Kia makes more sense.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, diesel torque and proper rear-cabin hardware more than luggage space with every seat occupied.
Pick the Renault Koleos if you want a five-seat SUV with a 542-litre boot, navigation and a full-size spare.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Renault Koleos RM191,888
- Seats: Kia Carnival 11; Renault Koleos 5
- Power and torque: Kia Carnival 197 hp/440 Nm; Renault Koleos 171 hp/226 Nm
- Size: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long and 1,995 mm wide; Renault Koleos 4,672 mm long and 1,843 mm wide
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; Renault Koleos 542 litres
- Road tax: Kia Carnival RM561 a year; Renault Koleos RM830 a year
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with removable, sliding and reclining rear rows
- Stronger 2.2 diesel output: 197 hp and 440 Nm
- Power sliding rear doors, 360-degree camera and USB-C ports for the first three rows
- Only 56 litres of boot space versus the Koleos' 542 litres
- Much larger footprint at 5,155 mm long and 1,995 mm wide
- Space-saver spare instead of the Koleos' full-size spare
Koleos
- 542-litre boot with the rear seats in place
- 589 kg lighter than the Carnival
- Navigation, rear foglamps and a full-size spare are fitted
- Five seats versus the Carnival's 11
- Lower outputs at 171 hp and 226 Nm
- Costs RM3,000 more and road tax is RM269 higher per year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 188,888✓ | RM 191,888 |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp✓ | 171 hp |
| Torque | 440 Nm✓ | 226 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | X-Tronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 8.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,672 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,843 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,678 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,705 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 1,540 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 542 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Nexen N Priz RH7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| 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 Front Seats |
| 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 with one-touch operation |
| 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, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (5 colours) |
| 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 | 8.7" R-LINK 2 Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 3D sound by Arkamys, 8 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| 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 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 561✓ | RM 830 |
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 vs Koleos FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Renault Koleos better?
For moving people, the Kia Carnival is the better pick with 11 seats and 440 Nm. For five-seat family use with luggage, the Renault Koleos is stronger on boot space with 542 litres versus 56 litres.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival is priced at RM188,888, while the Renault Koleos costs RM191,888. The Renault is RM3,000 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space?
The Renault Koleos has far more boot space at 542 litres. The Kia Carnival has only 56 litres with all seats in use, though it counters with 11 seats and removable rear rows.