V6 axed by emissions regs! Kia Sorento and Carnival lose bent-six, move to hybrid and diesel only

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Kia Australia will discontinue V6 petrol variants of its Sorento large SUV and Carnival people-mover for 2026.

The change comes as a result of stricter 2026 NVES emissions regulations, says Kia, with outgoing V6-petrol drivetrains producing between 200 and 235 grams of CO2 per kilometre – as high as double this year’s 117g/km type 1 limit. 

Remaining V6-powered Carnival and Sorento stock is limited. The drivetrain is expected to be completely phased out by April.

Removing the V6 petrol engine from the Sorento and Carnival ranges will also result in a slight entry price increase.

The Kia Sorento currently starts at $51,630 before on-road costs for the base model S Petrol V6. Buying will soon start from $54,630 for the now base S Diesel, or $56,630 for the entry-level S Hybrid front-wheel drive. 

Similarly, the Carnival will lose its $52,070 S Petrol entry point, now offering a choice of introductory $54,300 S Diesel or $56,100 S Hybrid variants. All Carnivals are front-drive.

Both vehicles also lose their highest power outputs —  the 3.5-litre V6 Sorento produced 200kW / 332Nm, and the Carnival 216kW / 355Nm. 

Kia’s four-cylinder turbo diesel produces 148kW / 440Nm in both vehicles, while the 1.6-litre four cylinder hybrid  is rated at 180kW / 367Nm in the Carnival and 169kW / 350Nm in the Sorento.

Opting for a plug-in powered Sorento grants an additional 26kW.

Kia Carnival 2026: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Carnival S Diesel: $54,300
• Carnival Sport Diesel: $60,200
• Carnival Sport+ Diesel: $66,530
• Carnival GT-Line Lite Diesel: $70,500
• Carnival GT-Line Diesel: $74,830
• Carnival S Hybrid: $56,100
• Carnival Sport+ Hybrid: $68,330
• Carnival GT-Line Hybrid: $76,630

Kia Sorento 2026: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Sorento S Diesel AWD: $54,630
• Sorento Sport Diesel AWD: $57,250
• Sorento Sport+ Diesel AWD: $62,180
• Sorento GT-Line Diesel AWD: $69,540
• Sorento S Hybrid FWD: $56,630 
• Sorento S Hybrid AWD: $59,630 
• Sorento Sport Hybrid FWD: $59,250
• Sorento Sport Hybrid AWD: $62,250 
• Sorento Sport+ Hybrid FWD: $64,180 
• Sorento Sport+ Hybrid AWD: $67,180 
• Sorento GT-Line Hybrid FWD: $71,540 
• Sorento GT-Line Hybrid AWD: $74,540
• Sorento S Plug-In Hybrid AWD: $71,130
• Sorento Sport Plug-In Hybrid AWD: $73,750 
• Sorento Sport+ Plug-In Hybrid AWD: $78,680 
• Sorento GT-Line Plug-In Hybrid AWD: $86,040