If you’re looking for a premium luxury MPV, don't just restrict yourself to the usual Japanese mobile breadboxes. For around the same price as a recond Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, you can get a brand-new Kia Carnival with an official 5-year manufacturer warranty and 5-year free maintenance while looking as influential behind the wheel (or in the back seat) of one.

If you're considering getting an official unit of the AH40 Vellfire or Alphard, they start from RM 438,000 and RM 538,000 respectively and there is a long waiting list. For the price of a single brand-new Vellfire, you could buy 2 Carnivals, an Axia 'Rahmah', and still have some change to spare.

Besides, the Carnival is locally assembled (CKD) and the 11-seater joined its 7- and 8-seater brethren to the CKD operation last month.

Starting in 2024, the locally assembled (CKD) 11-seater will be given a price bump of more than RM 200k though the imported-from-Korea (CBU) model was sub-RM 200k.

The reason for this price bump despite being locally built is due to changes in Customs guidelines that have closed a loophole which previously allowed 11-seater minivans to benefit from excise tax rebates meant for commercial-use minibuses.

Also read: Kia: CKD cars in Malaysia now cost 3x more to make than 10 years ago, higher material cost and increased vehicle complexity

However, the exclusive distributor of Kia in Malaysia, Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd is offering an exclusive price of RM 198,500 for limited units of the CKD Carnival 11-seater. This price is valid for bookings of the 11-seater variant inclusive of accessories.

Also read: CKD 2023 Kia Carnival 11-seater launched in Malaysia; promo price of RM 198k, minor interior updates

The 11-seater CKD Carnival retains most of the features and equipment of its CBU equivalent. It comes with LED headlights and DRLs, 18-inch wheels, and power-folding side mirrors on the outside.

Inside, the changes are also mostly minimal with a Black and Grey interior colourway as opposed to the CBU’s brown interior and automatic up and down powered window only on the driver’s side.

Still, you’re getting plenty of room inside aside from the huge number of seats that make it an ideal place for a boardroom meeting on the go. Or you can simply fold down the rear seats for an expansive cargo area for a family trip.

Convenience and connectivity are also not an issue with the 12.3-inch infotainment unit supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with 2 12-volt power outlets, 7 USB ports, and a wireless charger to keep your devices all juiced up.

Like the other variants that offer fewer seats, the Carnival 11-seater is powered by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel that makes 202 PS/440 Nm paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Don’t get too scared with the oil burner powerplant because the Carnival feels very quiet like a business class lounge as your driver cruises down the highway.

Driving the Carnival is also not a scary experience given its size. It is easy to manoeuvre around with a light steering and 360-degree Surround View Monitor to help through tight spaces. Around corners, this giant minivan can handle just as well if not better than a brand famous for introducing Jinba Ittai.

It’s not a thirsty gas guzzler either. In our review of the CBU Carnival, we recorded an average of 8.4 litre/100 km which given its size and power output is still impressive.

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

Safety features offered on the CKD Carnival 11-seater include 7 airbags, blind-spot collision warning (BCW), and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA).

Not only does the Carnival offer better value for money (and more seats) than the Toyota twins, but it also has a better aftersales package than another Korean minivan with a similar number of seats.

The CBU Hyundai Staria 10-seater might be priced lower – from RM 179,888 – but it is only offered with a 2-year/50,000-km warranty. A 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty is available but it is worth RM 10,000 and there's no free maintenance.

Meanwhile, the Carnival 11-seater like many models from the BAuto stable which includes Dinamikjaya Motor’s Kia and Bermaz Motor’s Mazda vehicles comes with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty as well as 5 years free maintenance.

If you’re looking for a grand-looking minivan for under RM 200k, now is the best time to get the Kia Carnival 11-seater before prices go up next year. Book yours at all Kia dealers nationwide to enjoy this exclusive price.