Verdict
The Kia Carnival costs RM77,266 more at RM188,888, but it brings 197 hp and 440 Nm from its 2.2-litre diesel against the Innova’s 137 hp and 183 Nm 2.0-litre petrol. It also seats 11 rather than eight, has an 8-speed automatic, power sliding doors and a 360-degree camera. The trade-off is substantial: annual road tax is RM561 versus RM439, and its 56-litre boot is far smaller than the Innova’s 300 litres. For maximum passenger capacity and equipment, the Kia earns its premium; the Toyota is the more rational lower-cost MPV.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, 440 Nm diesel torque and family-use kit such as power sliding doors, rear sunshades and a 360-degree camera.
Pick the Toyota Innova if RM111,622 pricing, a 300-litre boot and unlimited-kilometre five-year warranty matter more than maximum seating and equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Toyota Innova RM111,622.
- Output: Kia Carnival 197 hp and 440 Nm; Toyota Innova 137 hp and 183 Nm.
- Seating and boot space: Kia Carnival 11 seats and 56 litres; Toyota Innova eight seats and 300 litres.
- Dimensions: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long with a 3,090 mm wheelbase; Toyota Innova 4,735 mm and 2,750 mm.
- Transmission: Kia Carnival 8-speed automatic; Toyota Innova 6-speed automatic.
- Road tax: Kia Carnival RM561 per year; Toyota Innova RM439 per year.
Carnival
- 197 hp and 440 Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel
- 11 seats and a 3,090 mm wheelbase
- Power sliding doors, 360-degree camera and 12.3-inch touchscreen
- RM77,266 pricier and RM122 more in annual road tax
- 56-litre boot versus the Innova’s 300 litres
- Five-year/150,000 km warranty versus five years with unlimited mileage
Innova
- RM111,622 price and lower RM439 annual road tax
- 300-litre boot
- Five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, blind-spot information system and full-size spare wheel
- 137 hp and 183 Nm trail the Carnival’s 197 hp and 440 Nm
- Eight seats versus 11
- Manual air-conditioning, halogen headlamps and no reverse camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888 | RM111,622✓ |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM439✓ |
| 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 | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp✓ | 137 hp |
| Torque | 440 Nm✓ | 183 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 10.4 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | 6-speed Automatic with Sequential Shifter |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 16.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.1 L/100 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,735 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 1,715 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 8 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 300 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 205/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 205/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-link with Live Axle |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| 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 | 8 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on Outer Middle Row Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Manual Adjustment |
| 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 Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline and Slide, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with One-touch Space Up |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Single-zone |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Manual Single-zone |
| 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 Middle Row, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | Radio/CD Player with 6 Speakers |
| 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 | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | — |
| 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 | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| 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.
Used Carnival & Innova for sale
Carnival vs Innova FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Toyota Innova better?
The Kia Carnival is better for carrying up to 11 people and gets much stronger 197 hp/440 Nm performance plus more convenience equipment. The Toyota Innova is better if the RM77,266 saving, 300-litre boot and unlimited-kilometre warranty are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival is RM188,888 and the Toyota Innova is RM111,622, so the Carnival costs RM77,266 more. Its annual road tax is also RM561, compared with RM439 for the Innova.
Which MPV has the larger boot?
The Toyota Innova has the larger quoted boot at 300 litres. The Kia Carnival lists 56 litres, despite carrying three more people with 11 seats to the Innova’s eight.