The Carnival is the people-mover that has quietly become the default family car in Australia. The 2025 update brings the long-awaited hybrid powertrain to the lineup, and the GT-Line is the trim that gets the full luxury treatment.
What you are buying
A 1.6 L turbo petrol engine paired with a 54 kW electric motor and a 1.5 kWh battery, driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic. Combined output is 180 kW and combined fuel use is around 5.8 L/100 km, which is genuinely transformative for a vehicle this size. Eight seats, sliding doors on both sides, and the cabin tech that Kia has gradually moved upmarket over the last three generations.
Cartell Assessment
The Hyundai Staria and the Toyota Granvia are nice in their own ways. The Carnival is the one that actually feels like an SUV to drive while delivering people-mover utility. The hybrid powertrain makes long highway runs noticeably cheaper than the V6, and the GT-Line spec is genuinely premium inside.
AU Outlook
Carnival GT-Line Hybrid pricing in Australia sits in the high-$80k drive-away range. Cheaper S and SLi hybrids are in the high-$60k to mid-$70k bracket. Verify exact figures with Kia Australia configurator.
The spec sheet
- Power
- 180 kW (combined hybrid)
- Torque
- 367 Nm
- Drive
- FWD, 6-speed auto
- Fuel
- 5.8 L/100 km (combined)
- Seats
- 8
- Warranty
- 7 years / unlimited km, 7 years on hybrid battery
- Safety
- ANCAP 5-star
Trim levels & pricing
| Trim | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival S Hybrid | from $68,990 drive-away (verify) | Hybrid entry, 8 seats |
| Carnival SLi Hybrid | from $75,990 drive-away (verify) | Adds leather, larger screen |
| Carnival GT-Line Hybrid | from $87,990 drive-away (verify) | Top spec, premium audio, full ADAS |
Prices indicative — see the manufacturer for current drive-away pricing.
