LDV MIFA 9 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.
Track the LDV MIFA 9 & Kia Carnival
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The LDV MIFA 9 starts from $104,000 before on-road costs, while the Kia Carnival opens at $50,570. That makes the Kia Carnival the more affordable entry point by $53,430.
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 $114,400 and $55,627 respectively.
The LDV MIFA 9 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Kia Carnival, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the LDV MIFA 9 and Kia Carnival hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 93% for the LDV MIFA 9 and 90% for the Kia Carnival.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The LDV MIFA 9 packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 5 in the Kia Carnival.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the LDV MIFA 9 and 7 in the Kia Carnival.
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
90kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 120kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 120kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The LDV MIFA 9 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-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 LDV MIFA 9 stands out with V2L that you will not find on the Kia Carnival. The Kia Carnival counters with wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the LDV MIFA 9 gets leatherette upholstery while the Kia Carnival offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The LDV MIFA 9 uses a Electric Motor producing 180kW and 350Nm of torque, sent through a single speed to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12 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 180kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia Carnival is 2.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The LDV MIFA 9 measures 5,270mm long on a 3,200mm wheelbase, 115mm longer than the Kia Carnival at 5,155mm (3,090mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the LDV MIFA 9 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 466L in the LDV MIFA 9 and 627L in the Kia Carnival, giving the Kia Carnival a 161L advantage. The Kia Carnival seats 8 vs 7.
For towing, the Kia Carnival leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.7m to 12.7m
Based on 12.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 160,000km (LDV MIFA 9) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Carnival). The Kia Carnival has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the LDV MIFA 9 if: You or prefer LDV's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Carnival if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Carnival takes 6 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. 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.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, LDV MIFA 9 and Kia Carnival?
The Kia Carnival is the cheapest at $50,570 before on-road costs. That undercuts the LDV MIFA 9 by $53,430.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Carnival uses the least fuel at 9.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — LDV MIFA 9 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.
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 Kia Carnival makes the most power at 216kW. The Kia Carnival is quickest to 100km/h in 9.1s.
Free: Chinese Cars in Australia Cheat Sheet
Sign up free and we'll email you our Chinese Cars Cheat Sheet (PDF) — all 22 brands ranked on service, parts, warranty and dealer experience. Plus new-car launches, reviews and founding-member pricing on the upcoming CarSorted Pro Report. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
