The electrified people mover you've been waiting for? Kia Carnival Hybrid in the works to steal even more sales from Toyota Granvia and Honda Odyssey

Kia’s Carnival has well and truly bubbled to the top of the people-mover market in Australia, with the new generation offering released in 2021 outgunning its Toyota Granvia and Honda Odyssey rivals.

The people mover has thus far been available in big V6 and 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel forms, but one thing which has been missing from the segment in Australia altogether is a hybrid - but not for much longer.

According to The Korean Car Blog, which claims not only is the Kia Carnival hybrid on the way (thanks to lightly camouflaged versions appearing in the wild), but that its arrival will, in fact, finally cause the death of the critically acclaimed but slow-selling Stinger. This is because increased Carnival production, and the imminent arrival of the EV9 large electric SUV will mean the end of its remaining slots at the Sohari plant in South Korea, where all three models are or will be built.

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The Korean Car Blog claims the hybrid Carnival will share its powertrain with the HEV version of the Sorento seven-seat SUV, which consists of a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 132kW/265Nm and electric motor mounted between the engine and six-speed transmission, producing 44kW/263Nm. The blog suggests, based on spy shots, there will not be a PHEV version. The Carnival hybrid would be front-wheel-drive only, based on its different floor configuration to its Sorento SUV relation.

The Carnival is currently the people-mover segment leader, moving 1962 units to the end of April this year. The Hyundai Staria places second with 607 units, the Honda Odyssey third with 396 units, and the LDV G10 fourth with 209 units. Volkswagen’s Multivan and Toyota’s Granvia languish, meanwhile with 77 and 39 units so far this year respectively.

If a hybrid Carnival does arrive in Australia, it could be the only electrified choice in the people-mover category, with no hybrid versions of the outgoing 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol Honda Odyssey and 2.8-litre turbo diesel Toyota Granvia.

A hybrid Carnival could be the only electrified people on sale in Australia.

The Hyundai Staria meanwhile could theoretically have the same powertrain planned to be used in the Santa Fe hybrid arriving later this year, but its Japanese rivals have thus far ruled out hybrid versions of the Toyota Alphard and Nissan Serena available internationally.

The hybrid Carnival is yet to be officially confirmed by Kia internationally, as is the end date for Stinger production, so stay tuned as we keep an ear to the ground for updates.