Kia Malaysia 2026 is distributed by Bermaz Auto Alliance (BAA), the joint venture entity established in 2024 following the franchise transition from Naza Kia Group. The 2026 lineup consists of 5 active model families: Sportage (volume C-SUV), Sorento (3-row mid-size SUV), Carnival (premium MPV), EV6 (electric C-SUV), and EV9 (electric 3-row D-SUV). Prices range from RM 150,000 OTR (Sportage entry) to RM 374,668 (EV9 GT-Line AWD). CKD assembly of Sportage and Sorento is at Inokom Kulim, Kedah, leveraging the same plant that produces Mazda CX-30, CX-5, and CX-8. Carnival, EV6, and EV9 remain CBU from Kia's Gwangju and Hwasung plants in Korea.
Kia Price List Malaysia 2026 (All Active Models)
| Model | Variant Range | OTR Price Range | CKD/CBU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage | EX, GT-Line, GT-Line AWD | RM 150,000 - 190,000 | CKD Inokom Kulim |
| Sorento | EX, GT-Line, GT-Line AWD HEV | RM 150,518 - 255,228 | CKD Inokom Kulim |
| Carnival | EX, SX, SX-Pack | RM 198,500 - 259,888 | CBU Korea |
| EV6 | GT-Line AWD | RM 319,000 | CBU Korea |
| EV9 | GT-Line RWD, GT-Line AWD | RM 369,668 - 374,668 | CBU Korea |
Prices are OTR excluding insurance, valid May 2026. Discontinued models still available in the used market: Picanto (last sold new at RM 47,079-59,888), Rio (RM 79,888), Cerato (RM 86,591-115,642), Stinger (RM 380,000+).
Bermaz Auto Alliance: The 2024 Distributor Transition
From inception in 2002 until 2024, Kia Malaysia was distributed by Naza Kia Group, the Naza family's automotive arm. The transition to Bermaz Auto Alliance (BAA) in 2024 brought three structural changes:
- CKD plant transition. Sportage and Sorento assembly moved from Naza Kia's Gurun plant to Inokom Kulim, Kedah (the same plant assembling Mazda CX-30, CX-5, CX-8, and Mazda 3). This consolidates Korean and Japanese premium-positioned CKD lines under one roof
- Service network consolidation. The 50+ Kia service outlets are being aligned with Bermaz Auto Berhad's Mazda network where geographically beneficial, with shared parts inventory at flagship locations
- Pricing repositioning. Bermaz Auto Alliance has held Kia pricing competitive against Mazda equivalents rather than the previous Naza positioning that priced Kia closer to Hyundai. The 2026 lineup reflects this with Sportage from RM 150,000 (versus Mazda CX-5 from RM 158,800)
The transition is complete as of January 2026, with all new Kia sales and after-sales handled by Bermaz Auto Alliance. Existing Kia owners with Naza-era warranties have their cover honoured through BAA service centres.
Kia Sportage: The Volume C-SUV
The Sportage is Kia Malaysia's volume model and primary competitor to Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Toyota RAV4. Three variants for 2026:
- Sportage EX: RM 150,000 OTR, 1.6L T-GDI (180 PS / 265 Nm), 7-speed DCT, FWD
- Sportage GT-Line: RM 175,000 OTR, 1.6L T-GDI, 7-speed DCT, FWD, with sport body kit and 12.3-inch dual curved display
- Sportage GT-Line AWD: RM 190,000 OTR, 1.6L T-GDI, 7-speed DCT, AWD with terrain modes
The 5th-generation Sportage launched globally in 2021 and reached Malaysia in 2023. Standout features include the segment-leading 12.3-inch dual curved display (instrument cluster + infotainment), full Hyundai Motor Group SmartSense ADAS Level 2, and Kia's 8-year/160,000 km vehicle warranty (longest in segment). CKD at Inokom Kulim, Kedah, from 2024.
Kia Sorento: The 3-Row Mid-Size SUV
The Sorento is Kia's 3-row mid-size SUV, cross-shopping the Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Highlander (not sold new in Malaysia), and Mazda CX-8. Three variants:
- Sorento EX: RM 150,518 OTR, 2.5L NA (180 PS), 8-speed AT, FWD, 7-seat
- Sorento GT-Line: RM 200,228 OTR, 2.5L T-GDI (281 PS), 8-speed wet DCT, AWD, 6-seat captain
- Sorento GT-Line AWD HEV: RM 255,228 OTR, 1.6L T-GDI Hybrid (230 PS combined), 6-speed AT, AWD, 6-seat captain
The Sorento HEV is one of the few hybrid 3-row SUVs sold new in Malaysia at this price point, undercutting the Toyota Highlander Hybrid (not available locally) and the Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 (RM 360,000+). For families wanting 3-row space with hybrid efficiency under RM 260,000, the Sorento HEV is the rational pick.
Kia Carnival: The Sub-RM 260k Premium MPV
The Carnival is Kia's flagship MPV, sold in Malaysia as a direct alternative to the Toyota Alphard at less than two-thirds of the price. Three variants:
- Carnival EX: RM 198,500 OTR, 2.2L CRDi diesel (202 PS / 440 Nm), 8-speed AT, 11-seat 3-row bench
- Carnival SX: RM 229,888 OTR, 2.2L CRDi diesel, 8-speed AT, 7-seat with second-row captain
- Carnival SX-Pack: RM 259,888 OTR, 2.2L CRDi diesel, 8-speed AT, 7-seat captain with reclining VIP rear, sunroof, full ADAS
The Carnival's 2.2L CRDi diesel with 440 Nm of torque is segment-leading for fuel efficiency on highway duty, achieving 14-16 km/L combined. The 11-seat EX variant is unique in the Malaysian premium MPV segment, where the Alphard, Vellfire, and Honda Odyssey all top out at 7-8 seats. For school-run, large family, or charter operator duty, Carnival EX is the rational pick under RM 200,000.
Kia EV6 and EV9: The 800V Architecture EVs
The EV6 and EV9 represent Kia Malaysia's electric flagship offering. Both use Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP 800V architecture, enabling industry-leading DC fast charging:
- EV6 GT-Line AWD: RM 319,000 OTR, 77.4 kWh battery, 506 km WLTP, dual-motor AWD, 0-100 km/h 5.2 seconds, 350 kW DC charge (10-80% in 18 minutes)
- EV9 GT-Line RWD: RM 369,668 OTR, 99.8 kWh battery, 541 km WLTP, single-motor RWD, 6-seat 3-row, 350 kW DC charge
- EV9 GT-Line AWD: RM 374,668 OTR, 99.8 kWh battery, 505 km WLTP, dual-motor AWD, 6-seat 3-row, 0-100 km/h 6.0 seconds
The 800V architecture allows DC fast charging at 350 kW (where infrastructure supports) for 10-80% in 18 minutes, faster than Tesla Supercharger V3 (250 kW peak, ~27 minutes for similar fill). EV6 cross-shops the Tesla Model Y Performance (RM 245,000) at RM 74,000 premium; EV9 has no direct equivalent in Malaysia under RM 400,000.
Kia Warranty and Total Cost of Ownership
Kia Malaysia's standard warranty cover is the longest in the Korean and Japanese brand segment:
- Vehicle warranty: 8 years or 160,000 km, whichever first (longest in segment; matches Hyundai)
- Battery warranty (EVs): 8 years or 160,000 km to 70% State of Health
- Free service: 5 years or 100,000 km labour included on CKD models
- Roadside assistance: 5 years
The 8-year vehicle warranty is the single biggest TCO argument for Kia over Japanese rivals (5 years standard at Honda, Toyota, Mazda). For long-hold buyers (5-7 years), the extended cover offsets the weaker 3-year resale.
Kia vs Hyundai Malaysia: Sister Brands, Different Positioning
Kia and Hyundai share the Hyundai Motor Group corporate parent and 70-80% of platform and powertrain DNA, but they are positioned differently in Malaysia:
| Factor | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Distributor | Bermaz Auto Alliance (2024+) | Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors |
| CKD Plant | Inokom Kulim | Inokom Kulim (Tucson) |
| Brand positioning | Tech-forward, design-led | Mainstream value |
| Design language | Tiger Nose grille, bold | Sensuous Sportiness, restrained |
| Volume model | Sportage | Tucson |
| EV halo | EV6 + EV9 | Ioniq 5 + Ioniq 6 |
Both brands share platforms, but the Kia variants typically carry bolder exterior design and more aggressive feature inclusion. Hyundai variants typically price RM 5,000-10,000 below Kia for the equivalent powertrain.
Kia Malaysia 2026, rebooted under Bermaz Auto Alliance with CKD Inokom Kulim production for the volume Sportage and Sorento, offers a competitive proposition against Japanese rivals at sub-RM 200k and a strong EV proposition at RM 319,000+. Use the table above to compare variants, check the loan calculator for monthly payments, and review the full Malaysia car price list for cross-shopping against Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Hyundai.