2024 Kia Carnival Hybrid confirmed for Australia

One of the most popular new cars for Australian families is about to get long demanded tech that will make it better than ever.

The Kia Carnival will soon have hybrid power. Picture: Supplied.

Kia’s big family hauler will soon be available with fuel-sipping hybrid power.

The popular car maker has confirmed a petrol-electric version of the Carnival people-mover will land in Australian showrooms later this year.

Kia Australia says the Carnival hybrid will use the same set-up as the Sorento hybrid.

Kia has confirmed a hybrid version of the Carnival will arrive later this year. Picture: Supplied.

Power will come from a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine matched to an electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery for total outputs of 169kW and 350Nm. That engine will be paired to a six-speed automatic transmission.

In the Sorento hybrid fuel use is just 5.3L/100km, but expect it to be higher in the bigger and heavier Carnival.

Supply of the hybrid will be limited as there is high demand from the US and Korean markets.

Kia Australia will only sell the Carnival hybrid in the fully-loaded Platinum grade.

A current Carnival Platinum comes with seating for eight, 19-inch alloy wheels, faux leather seats that are heated and ventilated in the front row, heated outboard seats in the second row, 12-speaker Bose stereo and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen.

The hybrid will only be available on the top-of-the-line Platinum grade. Picture: Supplied.

There is no word on prices yet, but the hybrid costs about $6500 extra in the Sorento. A similar price rise in the Carnival would put the hybrid in the circa-$80,000 drive-away range.

The updated Carnival is expected to receive similar updates to the recently refreshed Sorento.

Styling will borrow cues from the new EV9 large electric SUV and it will come with over-the-air updates, which will upgrade maps, screen readouts and software on the go.

It is expected to be compatible with the brand’s new connected car services that allow owners to track the vehicle, view driving data, remotely start climate control and lock and unlock the vehicle via an app.

The Carnival is one of the most spacious cars on the market. Picture: Supplied.

Potential customers should also expect a 12.3-inch driver’s display with customisable layouts and a redesigned dash and centre console to give it a more modern and open layout.

The arrival of the Carnival hybrid will cement Kia’s spot as the dominant force in the people-mover segment.

The Carnival accounts for about 80 per cent of sales in the people-mover market after the axing of popular alternatives such as the Toyota Tarago and Honda Odyssey in the past few years.

Kia was cold on hybrid tech for years but it has recently had an about-turn and is rapidly expanding its line-up of vehicles fitted with the fuel-saving tech.

A hybrid version of the Sportage medium SUV will arrive locally in late February followed by the hybrid and plug-in hybrid version of the Sorento a few months later. These will join the Niro hybrid small SUV in its stable of petrol-electric models.

Originally published as 2024 Kia Carnival Hybrid confirmed for Australia