2024 Kia Carnival Hybrid confirmed overseas, a chance for Australia next year

A hybrid version of the 2024 Kia Carnival people mover is due in South Korean showrooms in January next year – and it may come to Australia.

An image of what appears to be a bulletin to South Korean Kia dealers posted to Autospy confirms the facelifted Carnival will introduce the option of hybrid power.

Details of the Kia Carnival Hybrid – and the wider updated Carnival range – are reportedly due to be confirmed in December 2023 or January 2024, with the bulletin advising dealers to expect price increases to accompany the upgraded model.

Australian showroom arrival timing is yet to be confirmed, however the South Korean launch schedule could point to Australian arrivals commencing in the first three months of next year.

MORE: Kia Carnival Hybrid on the way, Australian division keen

Kia Australia representatives have previously expressed interest in a hybrid Carnival, if it is built in right-hand drive, and enough stock is made available for local sale.

According to the leaked dealer bulletin, the Carnival Hybrid will pair electric motors with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine – as in the related Sportage and Sorento Hybrids.

In these vehicles, the 1.6-litre turbo engine (132kW/265Nm) combines with a 44kW electric motor and six-speed automatic transmission for system outputs of 169kW and 350Nm.

It remains to be seen if the Carnival Hybrid will offer the option of all-wheel drive (AWD) – or will be front-wheel drive only, as reports out of South Korea say the floor under the rear of the vehicle cannot support a powered axle to enable AWD.

The hybrid version will arrive as part of the broader Kia Carnival range's mid-life facelift, which spy photos show will usher in an exterior design overhaul inspired by the new EV9 large electric SUV (photo top of story via The Korean Car Blog).

Interior updates are also expected, with spy photos showing a new curved glass panel incorporating a large centre touchscreen and widescreen instrument display.

The current Carnival is available with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, but the 12.3-inch instrument cluster available overseas (as well as rain-sensing wipers and a blind-spot camera) has never been offered locally.

It is understood that because new orders are price protected – and the company is holding so many backorders – Kia Australia has not been able to introduce the missing features as they would incur a price rise that would be too large to absorb.

More details of the 2024 Kia Carnival Hybrid are due closer to its South Korean launch at the end of this year.