Kia Sales Malaysia (KSM) has just launched the 2026 Kia Carnival facelift, featuring an updated exterior styling, a redesigned interior, and a new variant lineup – but some might be disappointed to find that the MPV will continue to be offered solely with a diesel powertrain here, rather than the hybrid available in Thailand, which, curiously, is imported from Malaysia.
Being the first model to launch under the new KSM establishment, the new 2026 Kia Carnival facelift is offered in two variants, an 11-seater and a seven-seater, with prices starting from RM188,888 on the road and without insurance.
- Kia Carnival 11-seater – RM188,888
- Kia Carnival 7-seater – RM248,888
In terms of size, the 2026 Kia Carnival facelift remains largely unchanged from the outgoing model. The MPV measures 5,155 mm long, 1,995 mm wide and 1,775 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,090 mm.
The main visual updates are concentrated at the front and rear. Up front, the Carnival adopts Kia’s latest design philosophy seen with its new daytime running light(DRL) signature, paired with new vertical LED headlamps and a larger, redesigned grille. At the rear, the MPV now features inverted L-shaped LED taillights and a revised lower number plate recess. Standard exterior equipment includes:
- LED headlights
- LED taillights
- LED daytime-running lights
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Smart power sliding doors
- Smart power tailgate
- Roof rails
- Smart Keyless Entry with Remote Start
The more premium-oriented seven-seater variant adds:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing wipers
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Inside, the dashboard layout has been revised with a unified widescreen display panel that houses dual 12.3-inch screens – one for the digital instrument cluster and the other for infotainment. The system now supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a head-up display is also available on the seven-seater variant.
The centre stack has been simplified with a single integrated touch panel that toggles between climate and media controls, similar to newer Kia models such as the EV6. This redesign frees up additional storage space in the centre console, which now also accommodates a wireless phone charger and up to seven USB-C charging ports throughout the cabin.
The seats are configured in a 2-3-3-3 configuration for the 11-seater, and 2-2-3 for the seven-seater. The former features a jump seat in the centre of the second- and third-row seats, which can be folded up for walk-through access to the rear, while the latter gets the more premium “Relaxation Seats”, which can electronically recline into a zero-gravity seating position for enhanced comfort.
Other standard interior features include:
- 12.3-inch centre infotainment screen
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
- Ambient interior lighting
- Leatherette upholstery
- Leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel
- Eight-way powered front seats with two-way lumbar adjustments
- Digital rearview mirror
- Six-speaker sound system
- Dual-zone front air-conditioning
- Single-zone rear air-conditioning
- Manual rear sunshade for 2nd and 3rd row seats
The seven-seater variant gains the following upgrades:
- Heads-up Display
- 12-speaker Bose sound system
- Eight-way powered front seats with four-way lumbar adjustments and memory function
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Full leather upholstery
- 60:40 folding third row seats with pop-up and sinking function
- Panoramic sunroof with powered shade
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As mentioned above, the 2026 Kia Carnival facelift in Malaysia will continue to offer the same 2.2-litre Smartstream four-cylinder turbodiesel engine for both the 11-seater and seven-seater variants.
The diesel unit produces 202 hp and 440 Nm of torque, with drive sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Kia claims a fuel efficiency rating of 6.5 litres per 100 km (NEDC) allowing for a claimed range of 900 km in a single tank of fuel.
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Safety is handled by Kia’s Smart Sense advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) Additional safety equipment includes eight airbags, electronic stability control and tyre pressure monitoring. Standard safety features include:
- Standard Cruise Control
- Eight-airbags
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
- Brake Assist (BA)
- Multi Collision Brake Control (MCB)
- Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
- Auto Hold
- Auto Door Lock
- Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
- Safe Exit Assist (SEA)
- Engine Immobilizer
- Parking Distance Warning (Forward/Side/Reverse)
- Surround view camera
The seven-seater variant adds the marque’s full suite of Smart Sense ADAS which includes:
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- High Beam Assist (HBA)
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA)
- Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM)
- Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA)
- Lane Following Assist (LFA)
The 2026 Kia Carnival Facelift in Malaysia is priced from RM188,888 for the 11-seater, to RM248,888 for the seven-seater, with prices mentioned being on the road and without insurance. Pricing is inclusive of Kia Malaysia’s standard ownership package, which includes a standard vehicle warranty of up to five years or 150,000 km, whichever comes first.
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