Verdict
The Outback has a 89% bigger boot, the Carnival is about 32% cheaper, while the Carnival is 6% more powerful. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
What the Carnival has over the Outback
Airbag Disable FunctionPower SocketsParking Sensor FrontPower Door
What the Outback has over the Carnival
Blind Spot Info SystemAutonomous Braking SystemLane-keeping AssistCollision WarningRear FoglampsSunroofAuto Start/StopTiptronic
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Carnival's wheelbase is 345 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The Carnival is 120 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Outback: 522 litres against 56.
Carnival 5,155 × 1,995 × 1,775 mm · wheelbase 3,090 mmOutback 4,870 × 1,875 × 1,682 mm · wheelbase 2,745 mm
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | MPV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561✓ | RM878 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,930/mo✓ | RM2,850/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM5,224✓ | RM7,601 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm✓ | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 99.4 mm | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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 Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | 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 | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | — |
| 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 | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used Carnival & Outback for sale
Our reviews & guides
Kia Carnival
