2025 Kia Carnival vs 2026 Chrysler Pacifica

$36,800 · Minivan

$43,645 · Minivan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Carnival bursts onto the scene with bold, SUV-inspired styling and a robust 287 horsepower, aiming to redefine the family hauler segment with accessible pricing starting at $36,800. Conversely, the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica ups the refinement factor, boasting slightly higher torque at 262 lb-ft and an extra gear in its transmission, promising a marginally smoother drive, although it commands a substantial $6,845 premium over the Kia, landing at an MSRP of $43,645. While the Pacifica edges out the Carnival in efficiency with a Combined MPG of 22 versus the Carnival's 21, the Kia offers significantly more utility, boasting 40.2 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Pacifica's 32.3 cu ft. Both vehicles share the same 287 hp output, but the Kia’s lower entry price and superior capacity make it a pragmatic powerhouse, whereas the Chrysler leans into premium road manners, reflected in its slightly larger dimensions.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival wins for commuters due to its substantially lower entry price of $36,800.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Carnival

Car1 offers superior utility with 40.2 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Pacifica's 32.3 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Chrysler Pacifica

The Pacifica's 9-speed automatic transmission offers one more gear than the Carnival's 8-speed, suggesting potentially sharper performance.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Carnival

The Carnival provides equal horsepower with a $6,845 lower MSRP and better fuel economy in the highway ratings (26 MPG vs 28 MPG).

Choose the Kia Carnival if...

Budget is the primary concern, as the Carnival saves $6,845 at the base MSRP.
Maximum cargo capacity is essential, highlighted by its 40.2 cu ft volume.
You prefer the efficiency balance of 26 MPG highway, matching the Pacifica's 28 MPG highway rating.

Choose the Chrysler Pacifica if...

You prioritize a slightly more polished powertrain experience afforded by the 9-speed automatic transmission.
Marginally better overall fuel efficiency is required, delivering a Combined MPG of 22.
You value the slightly greater road presence offered by its larger overall exterior dimensions (e.g., 204.3 inches long).

Key Dimensions

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

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Chrysler
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention 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
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Rear Folding Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Chrysler
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	3.6 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	287 hp @ 6400 rpm	287 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	262 lb-ft @ 4000 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	Kia	Chrysler
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

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

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Chrysler
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	10.1 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	3 months	6 months
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Chrysler
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

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

Rearseats

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

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

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

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Carnival and 2026 Chrysler Pacifica.

What is the main performance difference between the 2025 Carnival and the 2026 Pacifica?

Both vehicles are surprisingly potent, delivering nearly identical output with the Carnival at 287 hp and 260 lb-ft, while the Pacifica has 262 lb-ft of torque. The key mechanical difference is the Pacifica’s transmission, which features a 9-speed unit versus the Carnival's 8-speed automatic, hinting at potentially smoother highway cruising.

How significant is the difference in fuel economy for daily driving?

The difference is minor but favors the Chrysler Pacifica; it achieves 22 Combined MPG compared to the Kia Carnival’s 21 Combined MPG. On the highway, the Pacifica edges ahead at 28 MPG versus the Carnival's 26 MPG, though both use regular unleaded fuel.

Is the higher price of the 2026 Pacifica justified by better cargo space?

No, the price increase does not correlate with better storage, as the 2025 Kia Carnival offers substantially more room. The Carnival boasts 40.2 cu ft of cargo space behind the seats, whereas the Pacifica only provides 32.3 cu ft in the same configuration.

Does the horsepower rating affect how they drive in city traffic?

Since both vehicles share the exact same 287 hp output, immediate acceleration should feel very similar during initial sprints. However, the Kia's slightly lower curb weight (implied by the lower price point) might give it a momentary agility edge over the slightly larger Pacifica.

Considering the $6,845 MSRP gap, which vehicle is the clear budget winner?

The 2025 Kia Carnival is the undisputed budget champion, starting at $36,800 while the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica begins at $43,645. This significant price difference allows the Carnival to deliver performance metrics that are almost identical to its more expensive competitor.

Are there any meaningful differences in their size for parking or maneuverability?

They are closely matched in footprint, but the Pacifica is slightly larger overall, measuring 204.3 inches in length and 79.6 inches wide, compared to the Carnival’s 203.0 inches length and 78.5 inches width.