Kia New Zealand has added petrol-electric hybrid power to its Carnival people-mover.
Don't despair for diesel: it continues in EX, Deluxe and Premium specifications, at prices ranging from $62,990 to $78,990. The "Water" hybrid (the element-themed name aligns it with Kia's other electrified offerings) steps in as a new flagship, at $81,990.
The basic powertrain is familiar from the Sportage/Sorento hybrids and the latest Hyundai Santa Fe, with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery and electric motor.
Carnival and Sportage are front-drive, while the Sorento/Santa Fe are available in AWD. But maximum power for the Carnival Water beats all of them: 180kW, plus 367Nm torque.
The Water hybrid has a 6-speed automatic versus the 8-speed of the diesel Carnivals, but fuel consumption drops from 7.5l/100km (CO2 198g/km) to 6.4l/100km (147g/km) for the electrified model.
Specification of the Water hybrid is very similar to the top-line Premium diesel, the only unique item for the hybrid being a digital centre rear view mirror.
Keen Carnival-spotters may also notice that the hybrid rides 10mm higher than the diesel, with 172mm ground clearance.
