Verdict
The Kia Carnival is the rational Malaysian family shuttle: RM188,888 buys 11 seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, eight airbags and powered sliding doors on both sides. The Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer costs RM246,112 more at RM435,000, but its 3,430 mm wheelbase is 340 mm longer and it brings Active Brake Assist, blind-spot monitoring and active cruise control. Its 208 hp petrol engine has 11 hp more, yet the Carnival’s diesel makes 440 Nm against 350 Nm. Unless the Vito’s driver-assistance kit and longer cabin are essential, take the Kia.
Pick the Kia Carnival if you need 11 seats, powered rear doors, stronger 440 Nm diesel torque and a far lower purchase price.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer if you prioritise its 3,430 mm wheelbase, rear-wheel drive and Active Brake Assist, blind-spot monitoring and active cruise control.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Carnival RM188,888; Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer RM435,000.
- Seating: Kia Carnival 11 seats; Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 10 seats.
- Wheelbase: Kia Carnival 3,090 mm; Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 3,430 mm.
- Torque: Kia Carnival 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm; Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 350 Nm at 1,300 rpm.
- Safety airbags: Kia Carnival 8; Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 6.
- Warranty: Kia Carnival 5 years/150,000 km; Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 2 years/unlimited mileage.
Carnival
- 11 seats and powered sliding rear doors on both sides.
- 440 Nm 2.2-litre diesel and 8 airbags.
- 12.3-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera and powered boot.
- No blind-spot monitoring, Active Brake Assist or steering-correction lane keeping.
- Shorter 3,090 mm wheelbase than the Vito Tourer’s 3,430 mm.
- Higher annual road tax: RM561 versus RM436.
Vito Tourer
- Active Brake Assist, blind-spot monitoring and active cruise control.
- Longer 3,430 mm wheelbase and rear-wheel drive.
- 208 hp petrol engine, front-seat memory and heating, plus auto parking.
- Costs RM246,112 more than the Carnival.
- 10 seats versus the Carnival’s 11, with only 6 airbags versus 8.
- Smaller 7-inch touchscreen, manual rear doors and a manual boot.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,888✓ | RM435,000 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM561 | RM436✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,151 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp at 3,800 rpm | 208 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 440 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ | 350 Nm at 1,300 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 99.4 mm | 83 mm × 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 9.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic with E-Shift | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,155 mm | 5,370 mm |
| Width | 1,995 mm | 1,928 mm |
| Height | 1,775 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,090 mm | 3,430 mm |
| Weight | 2,129 kg | 3,100 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 72 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 11 | 10 |
| Boot Space | 56 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV | Dunlop Econodrive |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Spain (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" 5-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" 5-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 8 Three-point, 3 Lap Belts | 10 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available for Rear Passenger Seats in 2nd and 3rd Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Attention Assist |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated |
| Rear Seats | 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 | 60:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, Captain Seats 3rd Row, Folding and Sliding 4th Row Bench |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual 2nd and 3rd Row Sun Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 7" Touchscreen Audio 30 with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Rear Doors - Both Sides | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Foot-operated |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years |
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 Carnival & Vito Tourer for sale
Carnival vs Vito Tourer FAQ
Is the Kia Carnival or Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer better?
The Kia Carnival is better for most large families because it has 11 seats, 8 airbags, powered sliding doors and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Choose the Vito Tourer for its longer 3,430 mm wheelbase and driver-assistance systems.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer costs RM246,112 more than the Kia Carnival: RM435,000 versus RM188,888.
Which has the stronger engine?
The Vito Tourer has more peak power at 208 hp versus 197 hp, but the Carnival’s diesel produces more torque, at 440 Nm versus 350 Nm. The Vito uses a 9-speed automatic; the Carnival uses an 8-speed automatic.
