Kia Carnival: KA4 vs KA4 Facelift
Verdict
This is a straight new-versus-outgoing Carnival call. The KA4 Facelift costs RM188,888 against RM198,500, yet keeps the 2,151 cc diesel, 440 Nm, front-wheel drive, 3,090 mm wheelbase and 72-litre tank. It gives away only 2 hp on paper, at 197 hp versus 199 hp, but adds an eighth airbag and sits 35 mm taller. The older KA4 counters with published 7.9 L/100 km and 151 g/km figures. For a Malaysian family MPV buyer, the facelift looks the cleaner buy unless the outgoing unit is heavily discounted.
Pick the Kia Carnival KA4 if you find a used unit cheap enough to offset the newer car’s lower list price, and you want the published 7.9 L/100 km fuel figure.
Pick the Kia Carnival KA4 Facelift if you want the newer 11-seat diesel MPV with eight airbags, the same 440 Nm and a 35 mm taller body.
Key differences
- Price: RM198,500 vs RM188,888
- Power: 199 hp vs 197 hp
- Height: 1,740 mm vs 1,775 mm
- Airbags: 7 vs 8
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 198,500 | RM 188,888✓ |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 11 | 11 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Engine | 2,151 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Power | 199 hp✓ | 197 hp |
| Torque | 440 Nm | 440 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 7.9 L/100km | — |
| CO₂ | 151 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,740 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Boot space | — | 56 L |
| Fuel tank | 72 L | 72 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 | 8✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | — | — |
| 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.
KA4
- 11 seats in a D-segment MPV
- 199 hp, 2 hp more than the facelift
- Published 7.9 L/100 km and 151 g/km figures
- Costs RM9,612 more on listed price
- 7 airbags versus 8 in the facelift
- Auto emergency braking not listed
KA4 Facelift
- Lower listed price than the outgoing KA4
- 8 airbags versus 7
- Same 440 Nm and 3,090 mm wheelbase
- 197 hp versus 199 hp
- Fuel economy and CO2 figures are not stated
- Boot space listed at 56 L
KA4 vs KA4 Facelift FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival KA4 or Kia Carnival KA4 Facelift better?
For most buyers, the Facelift is better. It costs less, has eight airbags instead of seven and keeps the same 440 Nm diesel drivetrain. The KA4 only really fights back if its used price is much lower or you want its published fuel and CO2 figures.
What is the price difference?
The gap is RM9,612, with the Kia Carnival KA4 Facelift cheaper than the Kia Carnival KA4 on listed pricing.
Are the engines and drivetrains the same?
Yes in the big ways: both use a 2,151 cc diesel, conventional automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with 440 Nm. The KA4 is rated at 199 hp, while the Facelift is rated at 197 hp.