Kia Carnival vs smart #3
Verdict
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 against the smart #3 at RM175,000, so the RM13,888 extra buys a much larger diesel MPV with 11 seats, sliding rear doors and a 3,090 mm wheelbase. The smart #3 is the quicker-feeling paper choice: its rear motor makes 268 hp, it does 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds and its 49 kWh LFP battery gives 325 km of EV range. But this is a usage split more than a close match — people mover versus compact electric SUV.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, power sliding rear doors and the flexibility of removable, sliding second- and third-row seats.
Pick the smart #3 if you want an EV with 325 km range, 150 kW DC charging and stronger driver-assist kit on paper.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; smart #3 RM175,000
- Seating: Kia Carnival 11 seats; smart #3 5 seats
- Powertrain output: Kia Carnival 197 hp/440 Nm diesel; smart #3 268 hp/343 Nm electric motor
- Size: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long with 3,090 mm wheelbase; smart #3 4,400 mm long with 2,785 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; smart #3 370 litres
- Road tax: Kia Carnival RM561 per year; smart #3 RM260 per year
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with removable, sliding second- and third-row seats
- Power sliding rear doors on both sides
- Longer 5-year/150,000 km manufacturer warranty
- Higher purchase price by RM13,888
- Much smaller quoted boot space: 56 litres versus 370 litres
- Lacks listed blind spot info, autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control
#3
- 268 hp rear motor and 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time
- 325 km EV range with 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging
- Gets blind spot info, front and rear autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and auto parking
- Only 5 seats versus the Kia’s 11
- Shorter 4-year manufacturer warranty, though mileage is unlimited
- No spare tyre listed, while the Kia gets a space saver
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 188,888 | RM 175,000✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 197 hp | — |
| Torque | 440 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Diesel | Electric |
| Bore | 83 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 325 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,844 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,785 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 370 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Flux Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| 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 & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered 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 |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | Manual Sunshade for Glass Roof |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| 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 (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | 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 | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 561 | RM 260✓ |
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 #3 FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or smart #3 better?
The Kia Carnival is better for carrying people, with 11 seats and sliding doors. The smart #3 is better for EV driving, performance and driver assistance, with 268 hp, 325 km range and adaptive cruise control.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM13,888 more than the smart #3.
Which one has more safety assistance?
The smart #3 has more listed active assistance, including blind spot info, front and rear autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction, adaptive cruise control and auto parking. The Kia Carnival still has airbags, ABS/EBD, stability control and a 360-degree camera.