CKD Kia Carnival to be more expensive than CBU, est RM 235k to 260k

A local dealer has revealed initial details of the locally-assembled (CKD) Kia Carnival on its Facebook page. According to the post, the CKD Kia Carnival will be available in three variants, with prices estimated between RM 235k to RM 260k.

The post also mentioned that the CKD Kia Carnival will be offered in 7- and 8-seater configurations, perhaps determined based on the selected variant.

Further details in terms of specs are still scarce, although the post mentioned that the CKD Kia Carnival will be equipped with digital instrument cluster, compared to the analogue cluster in the fully-imported (CBU) Kia Carnival.

Also read: Review: 2022 Kia Carnival – So much metal for RM 196k but can you handle its size

As for powertrain, the CKD Kia Carnival will likely be powered by the same 2.2-litre turbodiesel (202 PS/441 Nm) with an 8-speed automatic as the CBU Kia Carnival, considering that the alternative is a naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine.

Why is the CKD Kia Carnival more expensive than CBU?

To recap, the 11-seater CBU Kia Carnival is priced at RM 196,340 (OTR with 50% SST). This is due to Malaysia’s tax regulations that allow for 11-seater vehicles to be declared as a commercial-use vehicle, which has a lower tax rate than regular 7- or 8-seater MPVs.

This also explains the stark price difference between the Hyundai Staria (priced from RM 358,888 to RM 368,888) and the 11-seater Kia Carnival, despite both of them being imported from Korea with the same 2.2-litre turbodiesel.

Also read: 11 seats too many? The CKD 7-seater Kia Carnival could be launched in Malaysia soon

For now, we’ll have to wait until the official announcement for confirmed prices and detailed specifications. Stay tuned for more.

Also read: If you're shopping for an MPV, here's why you should consider the Kia Carnival