2025 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2025 Kia Carnival

$42,450 · Minivan

$36,800 · Minivan

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2025 Kia Carnival often boils down to balancing budget against perceived refinement. Buyers are frequently torn between the Kia's aggressive starting price of $36,800 and the Pacifica’s slightly higher entry point of $42,450—a $5,650 difference. While both minivans offer 287 horsepower, the Pacifica squeaks out a tiny MPG advantage with 22 combined versus the Carnival's 21. Interestingly, the Carnival counters with superior hauling room, offering 40.2 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Pacifica’s 32.3 cu ft. Furthermore, the Pacifica’s overall dimensions are slightly larger, clocking in at 204.3 inches long, suggesting potentially more presence or interior room depth, even if the Carnival beats it on raw cargo volume. Both run on regular unleaded, making daily fueling straightforward.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2025 Pacifica edges out slightly better fuel economy at 28 highway MPG, which saves a little at the pump over long commutes.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Carnival

The 2025 Carnival offers significantly more standard cargo capacity at 40.2 cu ft, essential for strollers and gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Chrysler Pacifica

While power is nearly identical, the Pacifica's 9-speed automatic transmission theoretically offers smoother or more refined shifts than the Carnival's 8-speed.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Carnival

The 2025 Kia Carnival wins on pure initial cost, being $5,650 less expensive than the base Pacifica.

Choose the Chrysler Pacifica if...

You prioritize marginally better highway fuel efficiency (28 MPG vs. 26 MPG).
You prefer the operation of a 9-speed transmission over an 8-speed automatic.
You need the slightly larger overall exterior footprint (204.3 inches long).

Choose the Kia Carnival if...

Your primary concern is initial purchase price savings of $5,650.
You require maximum utility space, benefiting from 40.2 cu ft of cargo capacity.
You want a slightly more agile feel due to its smaller width (78.5 inches) and height (68.5 inches).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Chrysler Pacifica	Kia Carnival
Length	204.3"	203.0"
Width	79.6"	78.5"
Height	69.9"	68.5"
Wheelbase	121.6"	121.7"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	2
Rear Folding Headrests	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	3.6 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	287 hp @ 6400 rpm	287 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/28 MPG	18/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	361.0/532.0 mi.	342.0/494.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.0 gal.	19.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	6 months	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	2	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Front Head Room	40.1 in.	40.9 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	63.8 in.	64.2 in.
Front Hip Room	59.0 in.	59.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way

Rearseats

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.0 in.	40.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	63.0 in.	63.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	64.8 in.	66.4 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	17 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	P235/65R
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Chrysler	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica and 2025 Kia Carnival.

Is there a major performance difference between the 2025 Pacifica and the 2025 Carnival?

Not really; both vehicles produce nearly identical power figures, with the Pacifica generating 287 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, while the Carnival is slightly behind at 260 lb-ft of torque. The transmission difference (9-speed vs. 8-speed) might result in slightly different real-world acceleration feel, but the core output is the same.

How much money can I save by choosing the Carnival over the Pacifica?

The 2025 Kia Carnival has a significantly lower MSRP starting at $36,800 compared to the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica at $42,450. This represents an initial price gap of $5,650 between the two base models.

Which minivan is genuinely better for hauling large amounts of luggage?

The 2025 Kia Carnival wins this category decisively by offering 40.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row. The 2025 Chrysler Pacifica trails noticeably with only 32.3 cubic feet in the same configuration.

Are either of these vehicles significantly better on gas for daily driving?

The difference is minimal, but the 2025 Pacifica technically wins with a combined 22 MPG (19 city/28 highway) using regular unleaded. The Carnival is rated for 21 combined MPG (18 city/26 highway).

What is the difference in size, and will it affect parking?

The Pacifica is slightly larger in every dimension, measuring 204.3 inches long, 79.6 inches wide, and 69.9 inches tall. The Carnival is fractionally smaller and lower, which might make it feel slightly easier to navigate tight parking lots.