2022 Chrysler Pacifica vs. Kia Carnival

Should you load your family into the Chrysler Pacifica or the new Kia Carnival? This could be a bit of a tough decision for you.

Both of these minivans are well-made, modern, and filled with the qualities that make your family comfortable on the road. You’ll find seating for up to eight passengers in either model (as long as you don’t choose the Pacific Hybrid) and will enjoy a long list of safety features during your drive.

What Makes Each Minivan a Good Choice?

When you’re filling out your pro/con list, you’ll want to know what each of these vans offers that should make them the choice you make. The Chrysler Pacifica is available as a plug-in hybrid model, it gives you the option of AWD, you will have the Stow ‘n’ Go seats, and this van offers you an excellent infotainment system. If you do select a hybrid model, you lose the seats that fold into the second-row floor, but you don’t lose the rear-seat function that can fold flat andgive you the versatility you desire.

As you see what the new Kia Carnival has to offer, you’ll find a minivan that has good power, offers you plenty of space, and brings you a wonderful list of standard safety features. These qualities might not make this van stand out when compared to the Pacifica, but they are important when you’re trying to keep your family safe on the road.

Items for Your Con List

There’s no such thing as a perfect vehicle. You’re comparing the Chrysler Pacific to the Kia Carnival and both vehicles do come with a few flaws that you might need to address before making your purchase.

The Pacifica is the more expensive of the two and it doesn’t hold the resale value very well. This van has gained the stigma of the mommy mobile vehicle, but that’s probably the feeling any minivan has to offer. If you’re expecting your minivan to grow with your family, the resale value might not be a huge concern.

Looking to the Carnival, you’ll find a minivan that does not offer you a hybrid option or AWD. With more minivans in the market adding these items to the mix, this could be a serious shortcoming for the newest member of the minivan class. AWD is likely the most important item missing from this van. You could be faced with rain or snow and wonder if your minivan is going to get you home.

How do the Strengths Compare?

Stacking up the Chrysler Pacifica and Kia Carnival will give you a tough decision to make. When you’re looking at the areas where each one is stronger than the other, you’ll find extreme differences.

The Chrysler model has more options and versatility for you. This could put the Pacifica over the top. You can have a gas-powered model with the Stow ‘n’ Go seats that also bring you AWD to make sure you have a maximum level of versatility during your drive. On the other hand, you could enjoy a hybrid model that is more efficient and has a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row.

When looking at the Kia version, you’ll pay a lower price from the start, which means more room for options to be added to the mix. There’s more cargo room behind the third row than the Pacifica has to offer. Kia gives you America’s Best Warranty which allows you to have the peace of mind you’re looking for. Finally, the Carnival has more standard features to offer you greater value.

Comparing the Powertrains

Power does make a difference, even in minivans. Let’s take a look. The Chrysler Pacifica uses a 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission to give you 287 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. You’ll enjoy 19 city/28 hwy mpg when you drive. Of course, you can have the hybrid version and enjoy more efficiency when you’re on the road.

If you select the Kia Carnival, you’ll have a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain gives you 290 horsepower, 262 lb.-ft. of torque, and 19 city/26 hwy mpg during your drive.

The Final Verdict

Just looking at the aspects of the Chrysler Pacifica and Kia Carnival that we’ve covered, you’ve got a tough decision. If you want capability, versatility, and more options, the Pacifica is the right choice for you. If you want a lower price, more standard features, and a longer warranty, the Carnival is the minivan you want to take home. Which one will you choose?