Verdict
The Kia Carnival costs RM188,888 to the Honda Odyssey’s RM275,311, leaving an RM86,423 gap that is hard to ignore for Malaysian families. It carries 11 people rather than seven, has a 440 Nm turbodiesel against 225 Nm, and is 325 mm longer, but it is also 274 kg heavier and much wider at 1,995 mm. The Odyssey counters with Honda Sensing, active cruise control and a five-star ANCAP rating. Choose the Honda for its driver assistance; choose the Kia for sheer passenger capacity and torque.
Pick the Honda Odyssey if you need seven seats and place Honda Sensing, active cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction ahead of maximum capacity.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you regularly carry more than seven people and want 11 seats, 440 Nm and a 72-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Odyssey RM275,311; Kia Carnival RM188,888.
- Seating: Honda Odyssey 7 seats; Kia Carnival 11 seats.
- Torque: Honda Odyssey 225 Nm at 4,000 rpm; Kia Carnival 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm.
- Length: Honda Odyssey 4,830 mm; Kia Carnival 5,155 mm.
- Safety assistance: Honda Odyssey has autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist; Kia Carnival has neither.
- Kerb weight: Honda Odyssey 1,855 kg; Kia Carnival 2,129 kg.
Odyssey
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction
- Active cruise control and auto parking
- Five-star ANCAP rating
- Only seven seats versus the Carnival’s 11
- 225 Nm trails the Carnival’s 440 Nm
- Smaller 55-litre fuel tank versus 72 litres
Carnival
- 11-seat layout with removable, sliding and reclining second- and third-row seats
- 440 Nm turbodiesel torque from 1,750 rpm
- 12.3-inch touchscreen, powered boot and six front/rear parking sensors
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- Passive rather than active cruise control
- 2,129 kg is 274 kg heavier than the Odyssey
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM275,311 | RM188,888✓ |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM725 | RM561✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,356 cc | 2,151 cc |
| Horsepower | 173 hp at 6,200 rpm | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 225 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 87 mm × 99.1 mm | 83 mm × 99.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.1 | 16 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,830 mm | 5,155 mm |
| Width | 1,800 mm | 1,995 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 3,090 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | 2,129 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 11 |
| Boot Space | — | 56 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtains) | 8 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer middle row passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Brake Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | Manual reclining and sliding Ottoman Captain Middle Row Seats, Manual Reclinable Last Row, 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Sliding, Reclining and Removable 2nd Row with Tip-up Centre Seat, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Sliding, Reclining and Removable 3rd Row with Tip-up Centre Seat, Folding 4th Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, tilt and slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 3 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window sun shades | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades |
| Audio | 8" Advanced Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, Multi-angle with 360 View | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Foot-operated | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free labour for 1,000 km, 10,000 km, 30,000 km, 50,000 km, 70,000 km and 90,000 km intervals | — |
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.
Used Odyssey & Carnival for sale
Odyssey vs Carnival FAQ
Is the Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival better?
The Carnival is the stronger family-hauler choice with 11 seats, 440 Nm and a 72-litre tank. The Odyssey is better for a seven-seat buyer who prioritises autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, active cruise control and auto parking.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Odyssey costs RM86,423 more than the Kia Carnival: RM275,311 versus RM188,888.
Which MPV has more safety equipment?
The Odyssey has the clearer driver-assistance advantage, with Honda Sensing autonomous braking, collision warning, lane-keeping steering correction, rear cross traffic alert and blind-spot information. The Carnival has eight airbags to the Honda’s six, but no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
