Verdict
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 against the Xpeng X9’s RM281,073, leaving RM92,185 in hand for buyers who genuinely need 11 seats rather than seven. Its 2.2-litre diesel makes 197 hp and 440 Nm, and the 72-litre tank suits long trips without charging plans. But the X9 is the more sophisticated seven-seater: its 315 hp, 450 Nm motor, 94.8 kWh battery and 535 km range pair with air suspension, rear-axle steering and a vastly larger 721-litre boot. For family load-carrying, the X9’s seven-seat limit is decisive.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, a 72-litre diesel tank and the RM92,185 saving more than EV range or a large boot.
Pick the Xpeng X9 if seven seats are enough and you want 535 km EV range, 721 litres of boot space and a far broader driver-assistance suite.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Xpeng X9 RM281,073
- Seating: Kia Carnival 11 seats; Xpeng X9 7 seats
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; Xpeng X9 721 litres
- Power and torque: Kia Carnival 197 hp/440 Nm; Xpeng X9 315 hp/450 Nm
- Length and wheelbase: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm/3,090 mm; Xpeng X9 5,316 mm/3,160 mm
- Road tax: Kia Carnival RM561 per year; Xpeng X9 RM365 per year
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with removable second-row seats and a folding fourth row
- RM92,185 cheaper to buy
- 72-litre diesel tank and 150,000 km manufacturer warranty
- Only 56 litres of boot space versus the X9’s 721 litres
- No blind-spot information, autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist
- Higher annual road tax at RM561 versus RM365
X9
- 535 km EV range from a 94.8 kWh battery
- 721-litre boot and 14-way ventilated second-row captain seats
- Air suspension, rear-axle steering, adaptive cruise control and auto parking
- Costs RM92,185 more
- Seven seats versus the Carnival’s 11
- Heavier at 2,750 kg versus 2,129 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888✓ | RM281,073 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM365✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 197 hp | — |
| Torque | 440 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Diesel | Electric |
| Bore | 83 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 315 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 94.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 535 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 537 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 5,316 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,988 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 3,160 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 2,750 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 721 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension, Rear-axle Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags, Integrated Second Row Seat Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on Second & Third Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Driver and Front Passenger Powered Seats, Front Seat Ventilation and Massaging |
| 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 | 14-way Second Row Individual Captain Seats with Ventilation, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row with One-touch Electric Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Triple-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Double 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 Front, 4 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 17.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 27-speaker XOpera 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 Start (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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | Front Doors & Rear Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 120,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & X9 for sale
Carnival vs X9 FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Xpeng X9 better?
The Xpeng X9 is better for a seven-seat family wanting EV range, a 721-litre boot, air suspension and active safety assistance. The Kia Carnival is better where 11 seats and a substantially lower purchase cost matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Xpeng X9 costs RM92,185 more than the Kia Carnival. That gap brings a 94.8 kWh battery, 535 km range, air suspension, rear-axle steering and a 721-litre boot, but reduces seating from 11 to seven.
Which MPV is better for long-distance travel?
The Carnival has a 72-litre diesel tank, so it does not require charging stops. The X9 has a claimed 535 km EV range and supports 11 kW AC and 537 kW DC charging; it also has 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load capability.