A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
KIA Carnival vs BYD SEALION 6 DM-i: the short answer
Carnival and SEALION 6 DM-i are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
SEALION 6 DM-i starts ZAR 410,095 cheaperCarnival from ZAR 1,049,995 · SEALION 6 DM-i from ZAR 639,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Maximum Power
Carnival148 kW @ 3800 rpm
SEALION 6 DM-i96 kW @ 5200 rpm
Maximum Torque
Carnival440 Nm @ 1750 rpm
SEALION 6 DM-i220 Nm @ 1500-3500 rpm
Engine Size
Carnival2151 cc
SEALION 6 DM-i1497 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Carnival13.9 km/l
SEALION 6 DM-i17.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
Carnival175 mm
SEALION 6 DM-i180 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
KIA Carnival
2.2 CRDi SXL AT
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
5 services/75000 km service plan; 5 years/100000 km maintenance plan
Service Plan Duration
3 Years / 45,000 km
5 services/75000 km service plan; 5 years/100000 km maintenance plan
Service Plan Distance
3 Years / 45,000 km
5 services/75000 km service plan; 5 years/100000 km maintenance plan
Maintenance Plan
3 Years / 45,000 km
-
Service Interval
15000
-
First Service At
15000
-
Approx Service Cost
R4,500 per service
-
Anti-Rust Treatment
Yes
-
Service Intervals
15000
-
Battery Warranty
7 Years / 150,000 km
-
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Real-world City Mileage Min
9.4 l/100km
-
Real-world City Mileage Max
12.2 l/100km
-
Real-world Highway Mileage Min
15.3 l/100km
-
Real-world Highway Mileage Max
17.8 l/100km
-
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
EV Mode
No
-
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Standard
Reversing Camera
Yes
-
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Auto Lights
Yes
-
Eco Mode
Yes
-
Sport Mode
No
-
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Emergency Braking
Yes
-
Pre-Collision System
Yes
-
Rear View Camera
Yes
-
Reverse Camera Type
Yes
-
Around View Monitor
Yes
Standard
Surround View Camera
Yes
Standard
Parking Distance Sensors
Yes
-
Parking Sensor
Yes
-
Front Camera
Yes
-
Automatic High Beam
Yes
-
Rain Sensor Wipers
Yes
-
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Locking Differential
No
Not Available
Approach Angle
16 deg
19 deg
Departure Angle
17 deg
21 deg
Ramp Breakover Angle
14 deg
-
Ramp-over Angle
19 deg
-
Recovery Hooks
No
-
Underbody Protection
No
-
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Standard
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Mud, Sand, Snow
Ground Clearance Min
175 mm
-
Ground Clearance Max
175 mm
-
Off Road Descent Control
Not Available
-
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Electric all-wheel drive
Terrain Response System
Not Available
-
Crawl Control
Not Available
-
Underbody Camera
Not Available
-
Energy Recovery Display
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Mud
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Normal
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Rock
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Sand
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Snow
Not Available
-
Off Road Traction Assist
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not Available
-
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Approach Angle Deg
16 deg
-
Departure Angle Deg
17 deg
-
Breakover Angle
14 deg
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Available
358.8 mm
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Length
5155 mm
4775 mm
Width
1995 mm
1890 mm
Height
1775 mm
1670 mm
Wheelbase
3090 mm
2765 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
175 mm
180 mm
Minimum Turning Radius
12.1 m
5.5 m
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
2100 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2750 kg
2510 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
1300 kg
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Seating Capacity
11 seats
5 seats
Front Headroom
1010 mm
980 mm
Rear Headroom
955 mm
910 mm
Front Legroom
1040 mm
1120 mm
Rear Legroom
855 mm
820 mm
Boot/Cargo Space
145 l
425 l
Fuel Tank Capacity
72 l
60 l
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
172 mm
150 mm
Number of Rows
3 rows
2 rows
Payload Capacity
700 kg
410 kg
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Front Track Width
1713 mm
-
Rear Track Width
1711 mm
-
Chassis Type
Unibody
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Multi-link
Front Spring Type
Coil Spring
-
Rear Spring Type
Coil Spring
-
Shock Absorber Type
Telescopic
-
Front Anti-Roll Bar
Yes
-
Rear Anti-Roll Bar
Yes
-
Power Steering
Yes
-
Steering Column
Adjustable
-
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson strut
Suspension
MacPherson Strut
-
Rear Suspension Type
Multi-Link
Multi-link
Rear Axle Type
Multi-Link
-
Shock Absorbers
Telescopic
-
Chassis Material
Unibody
-
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Front Overhang
938 mm
-
Rear Overhang
1127 mm
-
Body Type
MPV
-
Alloy Wheel Design
Alloy Alloy
-
Wing Mirror Type
Electric
-
Rear Wiper
No
-
Led Headlights
Yes
Standard
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Yes
LED
DRL
Yes
LED
Led Taillights
Yes
-
Fog Lights
Yes
-
Fog Lamps
Yes
Front and rear fog lamps
Front Fog Lights
Yes
-
Rear Fog Lights
Yes
-
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Standard
Roof Type
Standard
-
Roof Rails
No
Standard
Rear Spoiler
No
-
Body Cladding
No
-
Chrome Exterior Finish
Yes
-
Door Handle Finish
Body Colour
-
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple
Time Grey, Arctic White, Delan Black, Smokey Gray
Exterior Colour Options
5
-
Exterior Mirror Electric
Yes
-
Auto Headlights
Yes
-
Automatic Headlamps
Yes
-
Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Headlight Type
Yes
Standard
Exterior Mirror Folding
Yes
-
Headlamp Levelling
Yes
-
Daytime Running Lights
Yes
LED
Front Fog Lamps
Yes
Front and rear fog lamps
Rear Spoiler
No
-
Exterior Door Handle Colour
Body Colour
-
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
-
Active Exhaust
Not Available
-
Electric Blind Sunroof
Standard
-
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Front Shoulder Room
1405 mm
-
Rear Shoulder Room
1350 mm
-
Steering Type
Yes
-
Steering Adjustment
Tilt and Telescopic
-
Rear USB Ports
Yes
-
Instrument Cluster Type
Digital
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Synthetic leather
Rear AC Vents
Yes
-
Heated Seats
Yes
Standard
Cooled Seats
Yes
-
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Standard
Seat Material
Leather
Synthetic leather
Fabric Seats
No
-
Leather Seats
Yes
-
Driver Seat Adjustment
8-Way Power
Electric adjustment
Adjustable Driver Seat
8-Way Power
-
Seat Adjustment
8-Way Power
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-Way Power
Electric adjustment
Adjustable Front Seat
4-Way Power
-
Driver Lumbar Support
Yes
-
Memory Seats
Yes
-
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Folding Rear Seats
Yes
-
Front Headrest
Adjustable
-
Rear Headrest
Adjustable
-
Front Armrest
Centre Armrest
-
Rear Armrest
Yes
-
Door Map Pockets
Yes
-
Cup Holders
8
-
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Standard
Interior Colour Options
Black
-
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Power sliding rear doors, business-class second-row captain's chairs, rear entertainment screens (SX), 12.3+12.3-inch curved display, wireless CarPlay, surround-view camera (SX), power-fold third row (SX)
-
Boot Space Seats Down
2785
-
Seat Belt Warning
Yes
-
Seat Trim
Leather
Synthetic leather
Leather Accented Seat Trim
Leather
-
Driver Seat
8-Way Power
-
Seat Fold Type
Yes
-
Armrest Front
Centre Armrest
-
Armrest Rear
Yes
-
Rear Seat Centre Armrest
Yes
-
Interior Colours
Black
-
Interior Trim Colour
Black
-
Seat Adjustment Driver Backrest
Yes
-
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated disc
Brake Type Front
Ventilated Disc
-
Front Brake Disc Diameter
330 mm
-
Rear Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Disc
Brake Type Rear
Ventilated Disc
-
Rear Brake Drum Diameter
296 mm
-
Parking Brake Type
Electronic
-
Tyre Size
235/60 R18
235/50 R19
Wheel Rim Size
235/60 R18
19
Front Tyre Width
235 mm
-
Rear Tyre Width
235 mm
-
Wheel Diameter
235/60 R18
19
Wheel Type
Alloy Alloy
-
Tyre Type
Radial
-
Tyre Load Index
112
-
Tyre Speed Rating
H
-
Spare Tyre
Temporary Spare
Tyre repair kit
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary Spare
Tyre repair kit
Tyre Pressure Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Display
Yes
-
Hydraulic Brake Assist
Yes
-
Autonomous Emergency Brake
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
-
Wheel Material
Alloy Alloy
-
Wheels
Alloy Alloy
-
Spare Wheel Size Type
Temporary Spare
-
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic parking brake
Electric Park Brake
Electronic
-
Wheel Size Type
235/60 R18
-
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
-
Steering Wheel Cruise Controls
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Phone Controls
Yes
-
Leather Steering Wheel
Leather
-
Steering Wheel Trim
Leather
-
Brakes
Ventilated Disc
-
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Yes
-
Cornering Brake Control
Yes
-
Auto Brake Hold
Electronic
-
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Infotainment Screen
12.3
15.6
Infotainment Display
12.3
-
Infotainment System
12.3-inch Touchscreen
15.6-inch rotating touchscreen
Infotainment Screen Size
12.3
15.6
Touchscreen
12.3
15.6
Navigation System
Yes
-
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
USB Ports
4
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Rear Usb
Yes
-
AUX Input
No
-
Wi-Fi Hotspot
No
-
Number of Speakers
12
10
Premium Audio
Yes
-
FM Radio
Yes
-
Radio
Yes
-
Voice Recognition
Yes
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
Yes
Full LCD instrument display
Head Up Display
Yes
-
Audio Controls On Steering
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
-
Multi Information Display
Digital
-
Display Audio
12.3-inch Touchscreen
-
Smartphone Connectivity
Yes
-
Connected Services
Yes
-
Audio Speakers
12
10
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
4
-
Voice Control
Yes
-
Audio
Yes
-
Audio System
Yes
-
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Basic Warranty
7 Years / 150,000 km
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Warranty Years
7 Years / 150,000 km
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Warranty Kilometers
7 Years / 150,000 km
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
-
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Warranty
7 Years / 150,000 km
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Warranty Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Body Style
MPV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Segment
MPV
Medium SUV
Vehicle Type
MPV
Passenger vehicle
Dealer Stock Note
Top grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Color Note
Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Steel Grey, Gravity Blue, Glacial White Pearl
-
Tare Mass Kg
2110 kg
-
Model Introduced Year
2021
2024
Generation
Fourth generation (KA4); global launch 2020, SA 2021
First South African SEALION 6 DM-i generation
Facelift History
Fourth generation (KA4) launched SA 2021; 2023 updated specification
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
2023
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Production Status
active
Active
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Price Zar
1299995 ZAR
799900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current listed price
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Starting Price
1299995
799900
Starting Price Zar
1299995
799900
Ownership Role
Top
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Spec
Carnival
SEALION 6 DM-i
Engine
2.2-litre Turbocharged Diesel
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
Engine Code
D4HB
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Diesel
Plug-in Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Series-Parallel Hybrid
Engine Displacement
2151 cc
1497 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Common Rail Direct Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
15.4:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
85.4 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
94 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
148 kW @ 3800 rpm
96 kW @ 5200 rpm
Maximum Torque
440 Nm @ 1750 rpm
220 Nm @ 1500-3500 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
238 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
550 Nm
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
2
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Front + Rear
Drive Type
FWD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
e-CVT
Top Speed
185 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.0 sec
5.9 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Eco, Normal, Sport, Mud, Sand, Snow
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
70.1 kW/tonne
113.3 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
208.5 Nm/tonne
261.9 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
18.3 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
LFP
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
339.2 V
Electric Range
Not Applicable
70 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
7 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
18 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
35 min (30-80%)
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This Carnival and SEALION 6 DM-i comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Carnival 67 vs SEALION 6 DM-i 58.
Efficiency index: Carnival 55 vs SEALION 6 DM-i 75.
Safety-equipment index: Carnival 100 vs SEALION 6 DM-i 99.
Practicality index: Carnival 58 vs SEALION 6 DM-i 59.
Ownership-cover index: Carnival 71 vs SEALION 6 DM-i not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Carnival and SEALION 6 DM-i image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
SEALION 6 DM-i leads by 1 points
Carnival and SEALION 6 DM-i are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
SEALION 6 DM-i
Performance
58/100
Efficiency
75/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
59/100
Carnival
Performance
67/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
100/100
Practicality
58/100
Ownership
71/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD SEALION 6 DM-i
leads the specification evidence index with 72 pts
vs 71 pts for Carnival
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, SEALION 6 DM-i leads. However, Carnival may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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