Compare the2022 Kia CarnivalVS 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Carnival are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Carnival’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Carnival and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Carnival comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire van and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Pacifica’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Carnival 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Chrysler covers the Pacifica. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Pacifica ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is ranked 28th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 69 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is ranked 29th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 4 places higher in reliability than Chrysler.

The Carnival’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 30 more horsepower (290 vs. 260) than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid. The Carnival’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 3 more horsepower (290 vs. 287) than the Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

The Carnival has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Carnival has 3.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Pacifica (168.2 vs. 165.1).

The Carnival has .8 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear legroom, 1.6 inches more rear hip room, .2 inches more rear shoulder room and .9 inches more third row hip room than the Pacifica.

While the Pacifica Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any Carnival can tow a minimum of 3500 pounds.

The Carnival has a standard locking fuel door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. A locking fuel/charge port door is only offered on the Pacifica Hybrid.

The Carnival SX/Prestige has standard front air conditioned seats and the Carnival Prestige also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Pacifica doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Carnival EX/SX/Prestige has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Pacifica doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.