Compare the2023 Kia CarnivalVS 2023 Mercedes Metris Passenger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Kia Carnival has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Carnival has standard backup collision prevention system that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Carnival’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Metris Passenger.

The Carnival SX/Prestige has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Metris Passenger only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Carnival has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Metris Passenger’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Carnival has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Mercedes charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Alert on the Metris Passenger and the Metris Passenger’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the Carnival and the Metris Passenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, collision warning systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Carnival the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 175 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Metris Passenger has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The Carnival comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire van. The Metris Passenger’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

The Carnival comes with free roadside assistance for 5 years 60,000 miles. Kia will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Mercedes doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Metris Passenger.

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

There are over 2 times as many Kia dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Carnival’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Carnival’s reliability 41 points higher than the Metris Passenger.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 15 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

Engine

The Carnival’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 82 more horsepower (290 vs. 208) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the Metris Passenger’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Carnival gets better fuel mileage than the Metris Passenger (19 city/26 hwy vs. 18 city/22 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Carnival uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Metris Passenger requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Carnival’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Metris Passenger:

	Carnival	Metris Passenger
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.8 inches	11 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige has standard 19-inch wheels. The Metris Passenger’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The Carnival has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Carnival flat and controlled during cornering. The Metris Passenger’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

Passenger Space

The Carnival has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 5.3 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 4.7 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear hip room than the Metris Passenger.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Carnival’s middle and third row seats recline. The Metris Passenger’s middle and third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Carnival’s cargo area provides more volume than the Metris Passenger.

	Carnival	Metris Passenger
Behind Third Seat	40.2 cubic feet	37.4 cubic feet

The Carnival’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Carnival’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its cargo door, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

The Carnival has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Carnival has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The Carnival SX/Prestige’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Carnival’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Metris Passenger’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Smart Key standard on the Carnival allows you to unlock the doors, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mercedes Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Carnival’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Metris Passenger’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Carnival has a standard rear wiper. A rear wiper costs extra on the Metris Passenger.

The Carnival’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Metris Passenger’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Carnival detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Carnival has standard extendable sun visors. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Carnival to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Carnival has standard power remote mirrors. The Metris Passenger only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Carnival’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mercedes charges extra for heated mirrors on the Metris Passenger.

When the Carnival SX/Prestige is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Metris Passenger’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Carnival’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

Both the Carnival and the Metris Passenger offer optional heated front seats. The Carnival Prestige also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Metris Passenger.

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 Metris Passenger doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Carnival Prestige’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Carnival has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

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 Metris Passenger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Carnival SX/Prestige has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Carnival, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Carnival first among minivans in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Metris Passenger isn’t in the top three.

The Kia Carnival/Sedona outsold the Mercedes Metris by 50% during 2022.