Kia Carnival vs Zeekr X
Verdict
The Kia Carnival is the larger, dearer answer: RM188,888 buys a 5,155 mm diesel MPV with 11 seats, a 3,090 mm wheelbase and 440 Nm from its 2.2 litre engine. The Zeekr X costs RM158,800 and is a smaller five-seat EV SUV, but it hits harder on paper with 335 hp, 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, 440 km EV range and 200 kW DC charging. For a Malaysian buyer, this is not a straight size contest. One moves a crowd; the other brings stronger tech and speed for less money.
Carnival
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, sliding rear doors and the bigger 5,155 mm MPV footprint more than EV performance or driver-assist kit.
X
Pick the Zeekr X if five seats are enough and you want the lower price, 5.3-second acceleration, 440 km EV range and more active safety features.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Zeekr X RM158,800
- Seats and boot: Kia Carnival 11 seats and 56 litres; Zeekr X 5 seats and 404 litres
- Powertrain: Kia Carnival 2,151 cc diesel with 197 hp/440 Nm; Zeekr X single motor with 335 hp/373 Nm
- Size: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm long with 3,090 mm wheelbase; Zeekr X 4,432 mm long with 2,750 mm wheelbase
- Energy: Kia Carnival has a 72-litre diesel tank; Zeekr X has a 66 kWh battery, 440 km range and 200 kW DC charging
- Driver aids: Kia Carnival has passive cruise and no lane-keeping assist; Zeekr X has adaptive cruise and steering correction
Carnival
- 11-seat cabin with removable second and third rows plus a folding fourth row
- Longer body and wheelbase than the Zeekr X, useful when passenger capacity matters
- Space-saver spare tyre; the Zeekr X gets a tyre repair kit
- Costs RM30,088 more than the Zeekr X
- Much smaller quoted boot space with all seats in use: 56 litres versus 404 litres
- Lacks the Zeekr X’s blind spot system, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise, navigation and head-up display
X
- Cheaper by RM30,088 while making more power: 335 hp versus 197 hp
- Quicker on paper, with a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Gets 440 km EV range, 200 kW DC charging, V2L, adaptive cruise and auto parking
- Only five seats against the Kia Carnival’s 11
- Smaller in every listed exterior dimension, including a 2,750 mm wheelbase versus 3,090 mm
- No spare tyre; it uses a tyre repair kit
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 188,888 | RM 158,800✓ |
| 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 | — | 335 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 373 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Nickel Mangenese Cobalt |
| Battery Capacity | — | 66 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 440 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200 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 | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.3 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 4,432 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,836 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,566 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 404 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| 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" Paddle Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Paddle Alloys |
| 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 Outer Two Rear 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 | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation Functions and Memory Function |
| 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 | — | 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, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights, Intelligent 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 | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 14.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 13-speaker Yamaha 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 Operation (Depress Brake To Start) |
| 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 | 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 Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | Powered Front Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 561 | RM 395✓ |
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 X FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Zeekr X better?
The Kia Carnival is better for maximum passenger carrying. The Zeekr X is better if five seats are enough and you want lower pricing, faster acceleration, EV running and more driver-assist equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 and the Zeekr X costs RM158,800, so the Zeekr X is RM30,088 cheaper.
Which one has more space?
The Kia Carnival has far more passenger capacity with 11 seats and a 3,090 mm wheelbase. The Zeekr X has only five seats, but its quoted boot space is larger at 404 litres versus 56 litres.