Kia Carnival 8-Seater Facelift Launched in Malaysia: CKD Model Priced at RM238,888

Kia's Malaysian distributor, Dinamikjaya Motors, has officially launched the KA4 Kia Carnival 8-seater facelift in Malaysia. As a locally assembled (CKD) model, the new Carnival is precisely positioned to fill the gap between the entry-level 11-seater and the flagship 7-seater variants.

Pricing

11-seater: RM189,849

8-seater (Newly launched): RM238,888 (nett price without insurance)

7-seater: RM249,849

Flexible Seating Layout: The 2-3-3 Design Is the Highlight 

The biggest selling point of the new 8-seater Kia Carnival lies in its highly versatile second-row seating, compared to the independent Captain Seats found in the 7-seater version.

2-3-3 Layout: The second row adopts a 40:20:40 split design. The seats can slide forward and backward, and can also be completely detached when needed.

Facing Mode: The middle seat in the second row can be rotated to face backward. By repositioning the outer seats, owners can even create a convenient “face-to-face” meeting or family interaction mode.

Third Row: The third row retains a 60:40 split-fold function and can be folded completely flat into the floor, maximizing cargo space when required.

Specifications on Par with the Flagship 7-Seater 

Despite being priced around RM10,000 lower than the flagship 7-seater, the new 8-seater Kia Carnival offers specifications that are almost identical to the top model — clearly outclassing the entry-level 11-seater.

Audio: Standard 12-speaker Bose sound system (compared to only 6 speakers on the 11-seater)

Wheels: Upgraded to 19-inch alloy wheels

Comfort: Front seats come with ventilation and heating functions, while the driver's seat features 4-way lumbar adjustment

Technology: Dual 12.3-inch integrated screens (instrument cluster + infotainment) and ambient lighting

No Compromise on Safety 

Many families who purchased the 11-seater previously regretted the lack of advanced safety features. The new 8-seater addresses this concern by coming fully equipped with a comprehensive safety package.

Key Safety Features:

Full ADAS suite (including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, etc.).

8 Airbags

Steady Powertrain Performance 

At the heart of the new Kia Carnival 8-seater is the proven 2.2L Smartstream turbodiesel engine, paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission.

Max Output: 202 PS / 440 Nm

Fuel Consumption: WLTP combined figure of just 6.5L/100km

Driving Range: Up to 900km on a full tank

After-Sales and Colours 

The new car comes with a 5-year/150,000 km factory warranty. Four colour options are available: Meteor Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Astra Blue, and Jet Black.

Conclusion 

If you find the 11-seater too cramped and basic, yet feel the 7-seater's Captain Seats sacrifice too much seating flexibility, then the new RM238,888 8-seater variant strikes the perfect balance. What do you think — is the RM238,888 price point attractive enough?