Verdict
At RM188,888, the Kia Carnival 11-seater is the pragmatic buy: it carries 11 people and uses the same 2,151 cc diesel, 197 hp, 440 Nm and 8-speed auto as the RM238,888 Kia Carnival 8-seater. The RM50,000 gap buys the 8-seater a richer cabin and driver assist kit: blind spot info, autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction, adaptive cruise with Stop & Go, head-up display, ventilated driver’s seat with memory, wireless charging and 12-speaker Bose. For ferrying numbers, buy the 11; for comfort and safety tech, the 8 makes sense.
11-seater
Pick the Kia Carnival 11-seater if you need maximum seating and want the same 197 hp/440 Nm diesel drivetrain for RM50,000 less.
8-seater
Pick the Kia Carnival 8-seater if you can give up three seats for stronger safety tech, better front-seat comfort, adaptive cruise and the Bose audio system.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival 11-seater RM188,888; Kia Carnival 8-seater RM238,888
- Seating: Kia Carnival 11-seater 11 seats; Kia Carnival 8-seater 8 seats
- Wheels and tyres: Kia Carnival 11-seater 18-inch alloys with 235/60R18 Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV; Kia Carnival 8-seater 19-inch alloys with…
- Active safety: Kia Carnival 11-seater has no blind spot info, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or collision warning; Kia Carnival 8-seater gets blind…
- Cruise and display: Kia Carnival 11-seater has passive cruise control and no head-up display; Kia Carnival 8-seater has adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go…
- Cabin kit: Kia Carnival 11-seater gets power adjustable front seats, 6 speakers and no wireless charger; Kia Carnival 8-seater adds driver memory and…
11-seater
- Costs RM50,000 less
- Seats 11, with a folding fourth row
- Same 2,151 cc diesel, 197 hp, 440 Nm and 8-speed automatic as the 8-seater
- No blind spot info, autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping steering correction
- Passive cruise control only, with no head-up display
- No wireless charger and only 6 speakers versus the 8-seater’s 12-speaker Bose system
8-seater
- Gets the stronger active safety package
- Adds adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and a head-up display
- More premium cabin kit, including ventilated front seats, driver memory, wireless charging and 12-speaker Bose audio
- Costs RM50,000 more
- Seats 8 instead of 11
- No folding fourth row
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 188,888✓ | RM 238,888 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| 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, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp | 197 hp |
| Torque | 440 Nm | 440 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore | 83 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 16 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 11 | 8 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Disc |
| 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 Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, 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 | 8 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd 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 Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory Function and Ventilation |
| 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 | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Sliding, Swivelling and Reclining 2nd Row, 60:40 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air 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 Rear, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 with Stop & Go |
| 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, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | 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 | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 561 | RM 561 |
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.
11-seater vs 8-seater FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival 11-seater or Kia Carnival 8-seater better?
The Kia Carnival 8-seater is better equipped, especially for safety and comfort. The Kia Carnival 11-seater is the better buy if passenger count matters more than kit, because it carries three more people for RM50,000 less.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival 8-seater costs RM50,000 more than the Kia Carnival 11-seater.
Do both Kia Carnival variants use the same engine?
Yes. Both use a 2,151 cc turbocharged diesel engine with 197 hp and 440 Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic driving the front wheels.