2025 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2026 Kia Carnival

$42,450 · Minivan

$36,990 · Minivan

Comparison Overview

The battle for minivan supremacy pits the refined 2025 Chrysler Pacifica against the aggressively value-driven 2026 Kia Carnival. Chrysler injects excitement with a slightly superior 22 MPG combined rating, beating the Carnival's 21 MPG combined, and offers a marginally higher torque figure at 262 lb-ft compared to Kia's 260 lb-ft, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Despite sharing the same 287 hp output, the Pacifica’s heft translates to dimensions measuring 204.3 inches long. Conversely, the Kia Carnival stands out dramatically on price, starting at a competitive MSRP of $36,990 against Chrysler's $42,450—a savings of $5,460. Furthermore, the Carnival provides a staggering 40.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, eclipsing the Pacifica’s 32.3 cu ft, making its value proposition extremely compelling for large hauls.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Chrysler Pacifica

The Pacifica edges out the Carnival slightly for commuters due to its superior 28 MPG highway rating versus the Carnival's 25 MPG highway rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Carnival

The 2026 Kia Carnival offers substantially more utility for families, boasting 40.2 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Pacifica's 32.3 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Chrysler Pacifica

Enthusiasts might prefer the Pacifica for its marginally higher torque output of 262 lb-ft and the extra gear in its 9-speed automatic transmission.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival delivers phenomenal value, starting at an MSRP of $36,990, which is $5,460 less than the Chrysler Pacifica.

Choose the Chrysler Pacifica if...

You prioritize slight fuel economy gains, achieving 28 MPG on the highway.
You prefer the smoother shifting characteristics of a 9-speed automatic transmission.
You want the slightly higher torque output of 262 lb-ft under acceleration.

Choose the Kia Carnival if...

Maximizing cargo space is crucial, benefiting from 40.2 cu ft available.
Securing the lowest purchase price is a priority, saving $5,460 with the $36,990 MSRP.
You appreciate the slightly smaller footprint, being 1.3 inches shorter in length.

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	18/25 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	361.0/532.0 mi.	342.0/475.0 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	12.3 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 2026 Kia Carnival.

What is the primary difference in power between the 2025 Pacifica and the 2026 Carnival?

Both vehicles share an identical 287 horsepower rating, suggesting similar peak power. However, the Pacifica generates a minor advantage in low-end grunt with 262 lb-ft of torque compared to the Carnival's 260 lb-ft.

How much more cargo space does the Kia Carnival offer over the Chrysler Pacifica?

The 2026 Kia Carnival is significantly more accommodating for gear, offering 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats. This is substantially more than the 32.3 cu ft offered by the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica.

Is the higher price of the Pacifica justified by better fuel economy?

The Pacifica does offer a slight edge, achieving 22 MPG combined versus the Carnival's 21 MPG combined, and a 28 MPG highway rating against 25 MPG highway for the Kia; however, this marginal saving must be weighed against the $5,460 initial MSRP difference.

Which vehicle is physically larger on the road?

The 2025 Chrysler Pacifica is the larger vehicle across the board, measuring 204.3 inches in length and 79.6 inches in width. The 2026 Kia Carnival is slightly more compact at 203.0 inches long and 78.5 inches wide.

Do both minivans use regular unleaded fuel?

Yes, both the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2026 Kia Carnival are engineered to run optimally on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying refueling needs for owners of either model.

What is the transmission difference between the two FWD minivans?

The Chrysler Pacifica employs a more complex 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission. In contrast, the Kia Carnival utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission for channeling its power to the front wheels.