Verdict
These are radically different answers to family transport. At RM188,888, the 11-seat Carnival costs RM30,088 more, but its 3,090 mm wheelbase, four seating rows and rear single-zone climate control with third-row vents are built for carrying people. The RM158,800 Zeekr X is a five-seat EV with a 66 kWh battery, 440 km range and 335 hp rear motor; its 404-litre boot also dwarfs the Carnival’s 56 litres. For a large Malaysian family, the Kia’s capacity is decisive. For five occupants and EV running, the Zeekr is the sharper fit.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, removable second- and third-row seats, and power sliding doors on both sides.
Pick the Zeekr X if five seats are enough and you want a 335 hp EV with 440 km range, 200 kW DC charging and a larger 404-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Zeekr X RM158,800.
- Seats: Kia Carnival 11; Zeekr X 5.
- Boot space: Kia Carnival 56 litres; Zeekr X 404 litres.
- Length: Kia Carnival 5,155 mm; Zeekr X 4,432 mm.
- Powertrain: Kia Carnival 197 hp/440 Nm 2.151-litre diesel; Zeekr X 335 hp/373 Nm electric motor.
- Energy and charging: Kia Carnival 72-litre diesel tank; Zeekr X 66 kWh battery, 440 km range and up to 200 kW DC charging.
Carnival
- 11 seats across four rows
- Power sliding rear doors on both sides
- Third-row air vents and manual second-/third-row sun shades
- Costs RM30,088 more
- 56-litre boot is far smaller than the Zeekr X’s 404 litres
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot information system listed
X
- 335 hp rear motor and 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- 66 kWh battery, 440 km range and 200 kW DC charging
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and auto parking
- Only five seats versus the Carnival’s 11
- No spare tyre; it uses a tyre repair kit while the Carnival has a space saver
- Rear occupants get rear AC vents rather than the Carnival’s single-zone automatic rear climate control with third-row vents
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888 | RM158,800✓ |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM395✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 400V 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 | — | 335 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 373 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 66 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 440 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 & X for sale
Carnival vs X FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Zeekr X better?
The Carnival is better for moving up to 11 people and offers power sliding rear doors plus third-row climate vents. The Zeekr X is better for a five-person household wanting a 335 hp EV, 440 km range and a 404-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival costs RM30,088 more than the Zeekr X. That extra outlay brings six additional seats, a 3,090 mm wheelbase and four seating rows, but not the Zeekr’s EV powertrain or driver-assistance features.
Which has more luggage space?
The Zeekr X has 404 litres of boot space, compared with 56 litres in the Kia Carnival. The Kia prioritises its 11-seat, four-row layout, while the Zeekr is the clearer choice when boot capacity for five occupants matters.