2024 Kia Carnival Hybrid one step closer to Australia

The 2024 Kia Carnival Hybrid has been approved for sale in Australia.

It will arrive in local showrooms later this year, while facelifted petrol V6 and turbo-diesel Carnival variants are due around March or April.

The Carnival Hybrid will become the first people mover priced under $100,000 with an electrified powertrain to be officially sold in Australia, with the Japanese Toyota Alphard and Estima (Tarago) hybrids popular in the grey import market.

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The Lexus LM hybrid and Mercedes-Benz E-Vito Tourer, EQV, and LDV Mifa 9 electric cars are available in Australia with much higher price tags.

Government approval documents confirm the electrified people mover will offer a 1000-kilogram braked towing capacity in Australia, down from 2000kg for petrol V6 and turbo-diesel models. Its unbraked towing capacity is unchanged at 750kg.

With its added electric components, including a high-voltage battery, the Carnival Hybrid weighs around 100 kilograms more than the turbo-diesel at 2288kg, while it is 10mm taller.

Kia Australia has listed 17, 18 and 19-inch wheel options for the Carnival Hybrid, though it’s currently unclear what variants will be offered locally.

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As with the related Sorento Hybrid, supply will be limited, with the hybrid line-up likely to be restricted to the flagship variant – which should retain the Platinum name – and possibly a fleet-focused base model at launch.

The Carnival Hybrid features a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid powertrain shared with the Sportage and Sorento Hybrids but with higher 183kW/367Nm outputs – up from 169kW/350Nm.

It is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission, which exclusively powers the front wheels like all other Carnivals.

In Korea, the hybrid has a claimed fuel consumption of 7.1L/100km– compared to 7.6L/100km for the diesel and 11.1L/100km for the petrol V6 in that market.

The diesel is rated at 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle in Australia, while the V6 is listed at 9.6L/100km.

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A specific 18-inch alloy wheel design and ‘navy grey’ interior option are offered for the hybrid model overseas.

As detailed here, the facelifted Carnival has a revised look with vertical headlights, ‘star map’ daytime running lights, a wider grille, and updated tail-lights with a full-width light strip.

Interior enhancements include a new curved display panel with dual 12.3-inch screens, an updated ‘CCOS’ infotainment system with over-the-air updates, digital key functionality, and USB-C ports.

It also has a switchable climate/audio touch panel like the EV6, Niro and Sportage, along with configurable ambient lighting that extends from the dashboard into the door panels.

Newly added active safety systems include oncoming vehicle detection, evasive steering assist when overtaking, semi-autonomous 'Highway Driving Assist 2', and intelligent speed limit assist.

It is now fitted with a front-centre airbag to help prevent head clashes in serious side impact collisions, taking the airbag count to eight.

In Australia, the facelifted Carnival will likely receive missing features already available overseas, including a full-digital instrument cluster, rain-sensing wipers, a blind-spot view monitor and Kia Connect.