Kia Carnival 8-seater vs 7-seater
Verdict
The Kia Carnival 8-seater is the sharper buy at RM238,888, because the RM10,000 jump to the Kia Carnival 7-seater does not change the 2.2 litre diesel, 197 hp, 440 Nm, front-wheel-drive layout, 8 airbags, AEB, 56-litre boot figure or RM561 annual road tax. For a Malaysian family buying an MPV to carry people, the cheaper car also has one extra seat. The Kia Carnival 7-seater only makes sense if its cabin layout or trim matters more to you than outright seating count.
Pick the Kia Carnival 8-seater if you want the lower price, the extra seat and the same diesel performance figures.
Pick the Kia Carnival 7-seater if you prefer the seven-seat cabin layout and accept paying RM10,000 more without a listed mechanical upgrade.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival 8-seater RM238,888; Kia Carnival 7-seater RM248,888
- Seats: Kia Carnival 8-seater 8; Kia Carnival 7-seater 7
- Engine: Kia Carnival 8-seater 2,151 cc diesel; Kia Carnival 7-seater 2,151 cc diesel
- Output: Kia Carnival 8-seater 197 hp/440 Nm; Kia Carnival 7-seater 197 hp/440 Nm
- Size: Kia Carnival 8-seater 5,155 mm long/3,090 mm wheelbase; Kia Carnival 7-seater 5,155 mm long/3,090 mm wheelbase
- Safety: Kia Carnival 8-seater 8 airbags with AEB; Kia Carnival 7-seater 8 airbags with AEB
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 238,888✓ | RM 248,888 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 8 | 7 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Engine | 2,151 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Power | 197 hp | 197 hp |
| Torque | 440 Nm | 440 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | 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 |
| Boot space | 56 L | 56 L |
| Fuel tank | 72 L | 72 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 | 8 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| 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.
8-seater
- RM10,000 cheaper than the 7-seater
- Carries 8 occupants instead of 7
- Same 197 hp and 440 Nm diesel drivetrain
- Boot space is still only 56 litres
- Same RM561 annual road tax as the pricier variant
- No listed power or safety advantage over the 7-seater
7-seater
- Seven-seat cabin layout may suit buyers who do not need maximum seat count
- Same 2,151 cc diesel with 197 hp and 440 Nm
- Gets 8 airbags and AEB
- Costs RM10,000 more
- Carries 7 occupants instead of 8
- No listed mechanical, boot space or safety gain over the 8-seater
8-seater vs 7-seater FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival 8-seater or Kia Carnival 7-seater better?
The Kia Carnival 8-seater is better value on paper. It costs RM10,000 less, seats one more person and has the same 2,151 cc diesel engine, 197 hp, 440 Nm, 8 airbags and AEB.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Carnival 7-seater costs RM248,888, while the Kia Carnival 8-seater costs RM238,888. That is a RM10,000 gap.
Do the Kia Carnival 8-seater and Kia Carnival 7-seater drive differently?
There is no listed mechanical difference. Both use a 2,151 cc diesel engine with 197 hp and 440 Nm, a conventional automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive.