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.
Data checked: specs 1 Oct 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
BYD M9: we're still completing height, turning circle and fuel consumption.
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.
$72,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$54,560RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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.
Track the BYD M9 & Kia Carnival
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Price Breakdown
The BYD M9 starts from $72,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia Carnival opens at $54,560. That makes the Kia Carnival the more affordable entry point by $18,430.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $80,289 and $60,016 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD M9 by roughly $7,515 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD M9 and Kia Carnival hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BYD M9, against 5 on the Kia Carnival.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control. Airbag count is 9 in the BYD M9 and 7 in the Kia Carnival.
Recalls on our record
BYD M9
None open on our record
Kia Carnival
- REC-006644 · published 30 Jun 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the high-pressure fuel pipe nuts may be insufficiently torqued and could become loose over time.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006093 · published 4 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the main wiring harness may come in contact with the steering column shaft and become damaged.Year range on the notice: 2024
- 12 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
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
36.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 73kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 73kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD M9 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia Carnival gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD M9 stands out with wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, V2L and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Carnival. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD M9 gets genuine leather upholstery while the Kia Carnival offers cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the BYD M9 and 2-zone in the Kia Carnival.
Drivetrain
The BYD M9 runs a pure electric powertrain producing 218kW and 315Nm of torque, sent through a 1 spd auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Kia Carnival responds with a Diesel making 148kW and 440Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.1 seconds.
The BYD M9 has the clear power advantage at 218kW vs 148kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD M9 is 0.6s 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 470L in the BYD M9 and 627L in the Kia Carnival, giving the Kia Carnival a 157L 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 $350/year for the BYD M9 and $1,853/year for the Kia Carnival. That is a $1,503 annual difference in favour of the BYD M9.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD M9) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Carnival). The Kia Carnival has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD M9 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Carnival if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Kia Carnival: Top CarSorted Score, 80 vs 72
The Kia Carnival comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (80 vs 72), taking 4 of 7 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Kia Carnival ahead by 40), practicality (Kia Carnival ahead by 9), reliability (Kia Carnival ahead by 5). The BYD M9 will save you roughly $1,503 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Carnival has a clear edge. The Kia Carnival adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD M9 and Kia Carnival?
The Kia Carnival is the cheapest at $54,560 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD M9 by $18,430.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Carnival uses the least fuel at 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: BYD M9 and 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 with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Carnival has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Carnival has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD M9 makes the most power at 218kW. The BYD M9 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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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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