Verdict
At RM188,888, the Kia Carnival costs RM32,912 less than the RM221,800 Toyota Camry and brings 11 seats, a 3,090 mm wheelbase and 440 Nm from its 2.2-litre diesel. That is the clear choice for a Malaysian buyer carrying people. The Camry is the lighter 1,565 kg car, has 201 hp, a quoted 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time and a far larger 524-litre boot. It also gets pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, where the Carnival does not.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, power sliding doors and 440 Nm while spending RM32,912 less.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you want a five-seat sedan with a 524-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and pre-collision braking.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Toyota Camry RM221,800.
- Seating: Kia Carnival 11 seats; Toyota Camry 5 seats.
- Torque: Kia Carnival 440 Nm; Toyota Camry 246 Nm.
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; Toyota Camry 524 litres.
- Kerb weight: Kia Carnival 2,129 kg; Toyota Camry 1,565 kg.
- Safety assistance: Kia Carnival has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist; Toyota Camry has pre-collision braking and steering correction lane-keeping…
Carnival
- RM32,912 cheaper than the Camry.
- 11 seats with sliding, reclining and removable second- and third-row seating.
- 440 Nm diesel torque and dual power sliding rear doors.
- 56-litre boot versus the Camry's 524 litres.
- No pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist.
- 197 hp is 4 hp down on the Camry.
Camry
- 524-litre boot.
- Pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
- 201 hp, 8.9-second 0-100 km/h claim and 1,565 kg kerb weight.
- Costs RM32,912 more.
- Only five seats versus the Carnival's 11.
- 246 Nm is 194 Nm short of the Carnival.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888✓ | RM221,800 |
| Body type | MPV | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 440 Nm✓ | 246 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,920 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,825 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 1,565 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 524 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | Space Saver |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| 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, Driver's Knee, 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 outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Ottoman Passenger Seat |
| 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 | Fixed Rear Seats |
| 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 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| 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 | Manual Rear Sun Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 9-speaker JBL 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 |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561✓ | RM867 |
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 & Camry for sale
Carnival vs Camry FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Toyota Camry better?
The Carnival is better for carrying up to 11 people and delivers 440 Nm. The Camry is better if five seats are enough, because it has a 524-litre boot plus pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Camry costs RM221,800 and the Kia Carnival costs RM188,888, so the Camry is RM32,912 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space, the Kia Carnival or Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry has the larger quoted boot at 524 litres. The Kia Carnival is listed with 56 litres, despite its much greater 11-seat capacity.