Kia Sales Malaysia (KSM) has expanded the local Kia Carnival range with the introduction of a new 8-seater variant, giving buyers another option in the large MPV segment.
Positioned between the existing 7-seater and 11-seater models, the new variant is aimed at customers who want more seating flexibility without sacrificing the premium feel and comfort the Carnival is known for.
Priced at RM238,888 in Peninsular Malaysia (excluding insurance and road tax), the new Kia Carnival 8-seater sits neatly in the middle of the line-up, with the 11-seater priced at RM188,888 and the 7-seater at RM248,888.
Locally assembled in Kulim, Kedah, the latest addition reflects Kia’s effort to tailor its offerings more closely to Malaysian needs, especially as demand grows for vehicles that can serve both family and business use.
According to Kia Sales Malaysia President and CEO Hyung Ho Kim, the new variant is a direct response to changing customer expectations and highlights the brand’s ability to adapt using its local assembly operations and supply chain.
KSM Managing Director Emily Lek added that the 8-seater introduces a more practical middle ground in the Carnival range, offering the space and versatility needed by larger families, as well as corporate and fleet users.
One of the key highlights of the new variant is its flexible 2-3-3 seating layout. Upholstered in soft leatherette, the second row features a 40:20:40 split arrangement with detachable seats and long-slide functionality.
The middle seat in the second row can also be configured to face forward or backward, while the outer seats can be repositioned for more versatile cabin layouts. This gives the Carnival 8-seater a more adaptable interior, whether it’s being used for family road trips, executive transport, or chauffeur-driven duties.
The third row, meanwhile, gets a 60:40 split-folding arrangement with pop-up and sinking seat functions, allowing users to balance passenger and cargo needs more easily.
Importantly, despite the extra seating flexibility, the 8-seater retains the same generous cabin space as the 7-seater variant, including ample headroom and legroom across all rows.
In terms of features, the new variant largely mirrors the higher-end 7-seater, which means buyers still get a properly premium cabin experience.
That includes ambient lighting across the dashboard, a curved panoramic display housing a dual 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a neatly integrated climate control interface, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.
Under the bonnet, the Kia Carnival 8-seater is powered by the same 2.2-litre Smartstream four-cylinder turbodiesel engine found in the rest of the line-up.
It produces 202 PS at 3,800 rpm and 440 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,750 rpm, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
Kia says the large MPV is capable of returning a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.5 litres per 100 km based on the WLTP cycle, with a potential driving range of over 900 km on a full tank under the right conditions.
On the safety front, the 8-seater gets the same comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as the 7-seater variant, along with eight airbags including a centre-side airbag.
The ADAS package includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Highway Drive Assist 2, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Rear Occupant Alert.
Every new Kia Carnival in Malaysia is backed by a five-year / 150,000 km warranty, whichever comes first.
KSM is also currently offering buyers either a 1.98% per annum interest rate for financing of up to nine years, or RM6,000 worth of fuel credits via TNG eWallet under its “We Fuel You” campaign.
Kia also points out that the Carnival remains one of the more cost-efficient large MPVs to own in Malaysia, thanks in part to its 10,000 km or 12-month service intervals. Over a five-year period, compulsory maintenance is estimated to cost around RM3,600.
The new Kia Carnival 8-seater is available in four exterior colours: Meteor Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Astra Blue, and Jet Black.
In short, if the 7-seater feels a little too lifestyle-focused and the 11-seater a little too utilitarian, this new 8-seater could well be the sweet spot in the Carnival range.
