Compare the2023 Mercedes Metris PassengerVS 2023 Kia Carnival

The Metris Passenger has standard Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Carnival doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Metris Passenger and the Carnival 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, driver alert monitors, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Metris Passenger has a standard 190-amp alternator. The Carnival’s 180-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Metris Passenger has a 850-amp battery. The Carnival only offers a standard 660-amp battery.

The battery on the Metris Passenger is under the seat, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Metris Passenger’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Carnival’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

Regenerative brakes improve the Metris Passenger’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Carnival doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes Metris Passenger higher (6 out of 10) than the Kia Carnival (5). This means the Metris Passenger produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Carnival every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes Metris Passenger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Carnival.

The Metris Passenger’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Carnival LX’s standard 65 series tires.

The Metris Passenger has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your work or a trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Carnival; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Metris Passenger’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Carnival doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Metris Passenger’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Carnival (126 inches vs. 121.7 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Metris Passenger’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Carnival’s (36.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

For excellent aerodynamics, the Metris Passenger has standard flush composite headlights. The Carnival has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Metris Passenger has 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.9 inches more third row headroom, .2 inches more third row legroom, 5.6 inches more third row hip room and 1.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the Carnival.

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Metris Passenger. The Carnival doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Metris Passenger’s optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the double swing out door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Carnival’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Metris Passenger’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Carnival’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the Metris Passenger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Carnival. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Metris Passenger’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Carnival’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the front windows are left open on the Metris Passenger the driver can close them from a distance using the remote (remote must be aimed at door sensor). On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Carnival can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Metris Passenger’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Carnival’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Metris Passenger to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Carnival doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Metris Passenger’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Carnival doesn’t offer an automated parking system.