In recent years, the SUV has been hailed by much of the nation as the ideal mode of transportation for families. Before its prominence in the early 2000s, however, the minivan had held this mantle. Some drivers still prefer the minivan as it provides many notable unique options in its storage, seating, and powertrains, and it’s perfect for the annual family road trip.
For many years, the one brand with a foothold in the minivan segment was Chrysler, and they put considerable effort into the attractive Pacifica. However, when you’re on top, there are always those who will try to knock you down: enter the Kia Carnival, one of the Pacifica’s few rivals. As your friendly neighborhood Chrysler dealer, we here at McHugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat want to objectively evaluate both models and determine which one is the better offering.
Heading Out to the Highway
First and foremost, examining the performance of a minivan is somewhat different than reviewing a car. Minivans need a capable powertrain to carry passengers and cargo, go the distance when and where it matters most, and provide a respectable amount of fuel economy when the situation warrants it. Let’s dive in and see what both offer in this category.
Kia equips the Carnival with a 3.5L V6 that churns out a healthy dose of 290 hp. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive is the sole drivetrain offered, which is one of the downsides the Carnival suffers from. While AWD isn’t a vital requirement for a minivan, dealing with the winter and those family excursions that require you to battle the elements is much easier when all four wheels are getting the best traction.
By all accounts, the Carnival—like many of Kia’s other vehicles—offers smooth handling and is relatively easy to operate in the city and suburbs. The fuel economy is also rather favorable, with the EPA estimating that drivers can achieve 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway for a combined 22 MPG.
When you’re looking for more, that’s precisely what you can look forward to with the Chrysler Pacifica. Like the Carnival, the Pacifica comes standard with FWD and a 3.6L V6 that bestows 287 hp. The engine pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission for ideal performance, but there are more options if this isn’t what excites you. Unlike the Carnival, the Pacifica can be equipped with AWD, which certainly comes in handy for the family who loves their adventures to be more daring.
One notable advantage that’s impossible to overlook is the hybrid setup of the Pacifica, which pairs its V6 with two electric motors. While this diminishes your power rating to 260 hp—which is still admirable—you get 32 miles of electric-only driving that can be used for short trips around town, making this model more viable for the city-dweller. The Pacifica can also tow up to 3,600 lbs, making it more versatile than its competitors.
Interior, Storage, & Technology
Parents want a vehicle that provides ample comfort; as we all know, children tend to be restless with long road trips when they’re not being entertained. As such, an ideal minivan needs to provide a fair amount of both for the road ahead. Not to mention, when the situation warrants it, storage space is also a priority for many. Let’s take a look and see how both deliver in these respective areas.
Kia has never been a brand that skimps on comfort. In recent years, it has demonstrated a capacity for giving its customers everything they want regarding a sophisticated interior and the latest technology for the road. However, in the Carnival, it almost appears misplaced and diminishes the one thing many have found favorable in the minivan: practicality. The Carnival is ideal for those who want the feel of unabashed luxury and showmanship, especially with its available infotainment screen, which spans 8.0 inches but can be upgraded to 12.3 inches.
The Carnival’s luxurious seating hampers its storage capabilities, with 145.1 cu.ft. of available room when the second and third rows are folded down. With all the seats upright, you still have 40.2 cu.ft. of room, more than twice the trunk size of an average four-door sedan. Depending on how much you want regarding an immersive entertainment system, a rear-seat media suite is available, and the top trim sweetens the deal with a twelve-speaker stereo system from Bose.
Suppose the Kia Carnival emphasizes posh and places practicality in the rear-view mirror. In that case, the Chrysler Pacifica balances both aspects in a zen-like presentation that will undoubtedly appeal to anyone. All versions of the Pacifica come with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with the latest version of Stellanis’ Uconnect 5 software. Like the Carnival, the Pacifica is compatible with Apple and Android products.
However, the Pacifica can also be integrated with Amazon Fire TV, which its available rear-seat media suite (with dual touchscreens) can employ joyfully. There’s also a notable variety of seating arrangements, with upper trims having optional captain’s chairs for the second row. The Pacifica flexes its muscles in terms of practicality, as the Carnival manages a touch more total storage space than the Pacifica behind the front row, even though the Pacifica uses its space better.
Safety: Every Parent’s Concern
Pragmatic matters—like storage and keeping the children entertained—aside, all parents can agree that safety is the top priority when finding the ideal means of transportation. It’s only fitting that we saved the most crucial aspect of our comparison for last, as it’s what makes the difference between an adequate family vehicle and an exceptional one.
In providing drivers peace of mind, Kia is one of the leading entities in the industry, especially with its extensive powertrain coverage. Also, Kia provides some adequate standard features, but the ones drivers will most enjoy are relegated to the higher trims. All versions of the Carnival come with automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and automated high beams, but adaptive cruise control—a feature many families are keen to take advantage of—is available only in the upper trims.
In a move that would make the late Lee Iacocca proud of the company he once led proudly, the Chrysler Pacifica provides more standard safety features than the competition (with more available, too). Chrysler matches everything Kia offers and makes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert standard on every trim. As a testament to the brand’s tireless dedication to customer care, the Pacifica also received a five-star rating from the NHTSA in collision testing.
The Chrysler Pacifica at McHugh CDJRF
We examined both vehicles closely, looking at their powertrains, storage, technology, and safety features, and—once again—Chrysler retains its crown as the king of the minivan. By offering more standard features and allowing drivers to choose a hybrid powertrain, customers can select the version of the Pacifica that works best for them.
Making such a choice is easy when you shop with us at McHugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat. Not only do we have the Chrysler Pacifica on our lot, but we also have many other offerings that are all held to the highest quality standards. We’re happy to oblige if you’re in the market for a new vehicle and only want the best. See us today and experience the difference first-hand.
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