Revised pricing and a host of other new ownership incentives headlines the reset for Kia in Malaysia.
Kia has wasted no time making its intentions clear for 2026, kicking off the year with sweeping price cuts across its Malaysian line-up, backed by a broad suite of new ownership and aftersales incentives.
Now operating as a standalone National Sales Company from January 1, 2026 following the transition from Bermaz, Kia Sales Malaysia (KSM) describes the move as a “new beginning” for the brand, with its first order of business focused squarely on right-pricing its vehicles to better align with local market expectations and restore buyer confidence.
“This new year marks a new beginning for Kia. We wish to assure fans that Kia is here to stay, and our priority is taking care of customers while inspiring progress through innovative mobility solutions,” said Kia Sales Malaysia president and CEO Hyung Ho Kim.
Sportage & Carnival See Significant Price Reductions
The most notable change comes in the form of sharp price revisions for Kia’s locally assembled (CKD) Sportage SUV and Carnival MPV, both of which now sit far more competitively within their respective segments.
The Sportage range now starts from RM 129,639 on-the-road without insurance, representing price reductions of up to nearly RM 18,000 depending on variant. The full revised Sportage pricing is as follows:
- Sportage 2.0G 2WD – RM 129,639 (previously RM 147,218)
- Sportage 2.0G 2WD High – RM 139,639 (previously RM 157,218)
- Sportage 1.6T 2WD High – RM 159,320 (previously RM 176,899)
- Sportage 1.6T AWD High – RM 179,320 (previously RM 186,899)
Meanwhile, the ever-practical Kia Carnival has seen even steeper reductions, particularly for its diesel-powered variants. The 11-seater Carnival appears to have been discontinued for now, leaving the 7- and 8-seat configurations on sale:
- Carnival 2.2D 8-Seater – RM 193,961 (previously RM 245,888)
- Carnival 2.2D 7-Seater – RM 219,761 (previously RM 259,888)
In fact, the revised pricing means the 8-seat Carnival is now significantly cheaper than the former 11-seater, despite the latter previously benefitting from tax advantages. Both the Sportage and Carnival continue to be assembled locally at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah.
Kia EV9 Pricing Largely Unchanged
As for the fully imported Kia EV9, pricing remains largely unchanged from before, save for the addition of RM 515 per year in road tax following the end of EV road tax exemptions on December 31st 2025. The large electric SUV is now priced at:
- EV9 GT-Line AWD 7-Seater – RM 370,183
- EV9 GT-Line AWD 6-Seater – RM 375,183
While the updated price list mentions excise duties being included, KSM has yet to clarify whether current EV9 units were imported before the exemption deadline, leaving the door open for potential future price adjustments once existing stock is depleted.
Improved Warranty & Lower Spare Parts Prices
In line with Kia’s global standards, all newly purchased Kia vehicles in Malaysia now come with a five-year or 150,000 km warranty, an improvement over the previous 100,000 km coverage. It should be noted however that the previously offered free scheduled maintenance programme is no longer available at the current moment.
To further enhance ownership confidence though, KSM has nevertheless implemented an average 15% reduction on Kia genuine spare parts. Supporting this is a new dedicated parts warehouse in Shah Alam, aimed at improving parts availability and reducing aftersales lead times.
Loyalty Programme, Corporate Incentives & Kia-branded Insurance
Beyond pricing, KSM is rolling out several ecosystem-focused initiatives. The newly introduced Kia Circle loyalty programme offers cash rebates of up to RM 6,000 for existing Kia owners upgrading to a new Kia model, with eligibility extended to immediate family members.
Corporate and professional buyers are also catered for via the Kia Professional programme, which offers concessions of up to 3% for members of professional bodies and major corporations, alongside customisable incentives for fleet purchases.
Completing the ownership package is Kia Cares, a Kia-branded insurance programme underwritten by Berjaya Sompo, Zurich and Zurich Takaful. Available through authorised dealerships, it offers comprehensive coverage with optional add-ons such as all-driver coverage, agreed value for up to 15 years, unlimited towing and personal accident coverage of up to RM 100,000.
“These first steps are part of a concerted effort to answer the question, ‘Why Kia?’,” said managing director Emily Lek. “We welcome both legacy and new Kia fans to our showrooms to experience the new Kia.”
