BYD M9 vs Kia Carnival
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular People Movers compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
BYD M9
Price TBC
People Mover
Plug-in Hybrid
Electric Motor
200kW
5.6 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
570L
Kia Carnival
From $50,570
People Mover
Petrol
Petrol
216kW
9.6 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
627L
BYD M9: not on sale yet, so BYD hasn't published price, transmission, warranty, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 3 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
20.4kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Kia Carnival counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and power tailgate that the BYD M9 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BYD M9 runs a pure electric powertrain producing 200kW and 315Nm of torque, sent through its transmission to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The Kia Carnival responds with a Petrol making 216kW and 355Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.1 seconds.
The Kia Carnival has the clear power advantage at 216kW vs 200kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD M9 is 1.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD M9 measures 5,145mm long on a 3,045mm wheelbase, 10mm shorter than the Kia Carnival at 5,155mm (3,090mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Carnival generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 570L in the BYD M9 and 627L in the Kia Carnival, giving the Kia Carnival a 57L advantage. The Kia Carnival seats 8 vs 7.
For towing, the Kia Carnival leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.7m diameter
Average
Based on 11.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.0 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
2.0 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $269/year for the BYD M9 and $2,736/year for the Kia Carnival. That is a $2,467 annual difference in favour of the BYD M9.
Estimated annual total: $269 (BYD M9) vs $2,736 (Kia Carnival). The BYD M9 saves you roughly $2,467 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD M9 if: You want lower running costs, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Carnival if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Carnival takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The BYD M9 will save you roughly $2,467 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Carnival has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD M9 and Kia Carnival?
The Kia Carnival is the cheapest at $50,570 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD M9 uses the least fuel at 5.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Kia Carnival all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Carnival has the largest boot at 627L.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Carnival has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Carnival makes the most power at 216kW. The BYD M9 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.1s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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