Complete configuration comparison

2027 Chrysler Pacifica vs. 2027 Kia Carnival

The Daily Automotive says the Kia Carnival edges out the Chrysler Pacifica on passenger space at 168.2 versus 165.0 cubic feet and seats up to 8, while the Pacifica counters with Stow 'n Go folding seats and a fuel-efficient hybrid trim, and Kia backs the Carnival with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, well beyond the Pacifica's standard coverage. TrueCar says the Kia Carnival's $39,035 MSRP undercuts the Chrysler Pacifica's $43,590 by $4,555, while the Pacifica wins on fuel economy at 19 city/28 highway mpg versus the Carnival's 18 city/26 highway.

Which to choose, and why

The Daily Automotive says the Kia Carnival edges out the Chrysler Pacifica on passenger space at 168.2 versus 165.0 cubic feet and seats up to 8, while the Pacifica counters with Stow 'n Go folding seats and a fuel-efficient hybrid trim, and Kia backs the Carnival with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, well beyond the Pacifica's standard coverage. TrueCar says the Kia Carnival's $39,035 MSRP undercuts the Chrysler Pacifica's $43,590 by $4,555, while the Pacifica wins on fuel economy at 19 city/28 highway mpg versus the Carnival's 18 city/26 highway.

More passenger space and a 10-year warranty for the Carnival

The Daily Automotive (opens in a new tab) says the Kia Carnival edges out the Chrysler Pacifica on passenger space at 168.2 versus 165.0 cubic feet and seats up to 8, while the Pacifica counters with Stow 'n Go folding seats and a fuel-efficient hybrid trim, and Kia backs the Carnival with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, well beyond the Pacifica's standard coverage.

$4,555 cheaper Carnival, thriftier Pacifica

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Kia Carnival's $39,035 MSRP undercuts the Chrysler Pacifica's $43,590 by $4,555, while the Pacifica wins on fuel economy at 19 city/28 highway mpg versus the Carnival's 18 city/26 highway.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Chrysler Pacifica or Kia Carnival?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Carnival, by $4,555 at MSRP.

Which has a longer warranty, the Chrysler Pacifica or Kia Carnival?

The Daily Automotive (opens in a new tab) says the Carnival, at 10 years/100,000 miles versus the Pacifica's standard coverage.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Chrysler Pacifica: 2 records · Kia Carnival: 2 records.
Decision fieldChrysler PacificaKia Carnival
Exact EPA records22
Model / option labels22
Drive layoutsAll-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel DriveFront-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion3.6L 6-cyl1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid, 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI
TransmissionsAutomatic 9-spdAutomatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8)
Fuel typesRegularRegular
EPA classesMinivan - 2WD, Minivan - 4WDMinivan - 2WD
Combined efficiency20–22 MPG/MPGe21–33 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listedNot listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate$2950–3250 per year$1950–3100 per year

Head to head

Chrysler Pacifica vs. Kia Carnival: size, power, capability and price.

MeasureChrysler PacificaKia Carnival
Starting price (KBB base)$43,490$39,035
Top trim price (KBB base)$59,900$53,135
Horsepower287 hp287 hp
Torque262 lb-ft260 lb-ft
Curb weight4,521-4,883 lb4,555-4,810 lb
Length204.3 in203 in
Wheelbase121.6 in121.7 in
Cargo volume140.5 cu ft145.1 cu ft
Towing capacity3,600 lb3,500 lb
Seating7-8 seats7-8 seats
Basic warranty3 years5 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2027 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Chrysler Pacifica and the Kia Carnival.

2027 Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan produced by the Chrysler division of Stellantis since the 2017 model year. Replacing the Chrysler Town & Country, the Pacifica is the sixth generation of Chrysler minivans, taking its name from the namesake 2004–2008 product line. Along with serving as the first minivan with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, the Pacifica has also served as a platform for autonomous vehicle development.

Awards
As of December 2020, the Pacifica has earned 140 honors and industry accolades.

Source: Chrysler Pacifica (minivan) (Wikipedia)

Production. Production of the vehicle uses an all-new platform at the Windsor Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Marketing. In April 2016, Chrysler launched a television advertising campaign for the Pacifica entitled "Dad Brand", featuring comedian Jim Gaffigan and his children. In October 2016, Chrysler launched a social media-oriented campaign known as "PacifiKids", featuring videos in which unsuspecting families shopped for the vehicle at a dealership staffed entirely by children.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (10 campaigns across the latest model years)

  • September 2026, Electronic Stability Control (Esc). Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chrysler Voyager, Chrysler Pacifica, and 2026 Chrysler Voyager Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The brake pedal position sensor capacitor may be cracked, which can cause a loss of electronic stability control. As such, these… Consequence: A loss of electronic stability control increases the risk of a crash.
  • August 2026, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, Ram Promaster, Ram Promaster EV, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In… Consequence: A rearview camera image that fails to display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • June 2026, Air Bags:Frontal. Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2023-2026 Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager vehicles. The spring inside the front seat harness connector may contact electrical terminals. Consequence: The unintended connection may prevent the air bags from deploying, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica, most often about air bags (9), vehicle speed control (5), forward collision avoidance (5).

2027 Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival is a minivan manufactured by the South Korean automaker Kia since 1998, formerly marketed as the Kia Sedona in North America and several other markets. The first-generation Carnival was introduced in January 1998, and was marketed in a single, short- wheelbase version. Second-generation models were marketed in short and long wheelbase variants.

Powertrain
Safety In the United States, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Carnival Good in the small overlap front test (2022~2026 models), Marginal in the updated moderate overlap front test (2023~2026 models). Beginning with 2025 models, structural reinforcements were added to the B-pillar, front and rear doors and rear seat rails.
Awards
The American configuration of the Hyundai Entourage earned a five-star safety rating–the highest honor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration bestows–for all seating positions in frontal and side-impact crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Entourage "Good"–its highest rating – in front, side and rear impacts.

Source: Kia Carnival (Wikipedia)

Reception. The Kia Sedona (Carnival) has received the 2007 MotorWeek "Best Minivan" award in its 2007 Drivers' Choice Awards and The Car Book's 2007 "Best Bet" distinction. Overall, Kia models improved 22% in J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Initial Quality Study (IQS), and improved twice as much as any competitor in the last 3 years.

Trim levels. The (base) GLS model features 16-inch wheels, removable second-row captain's chairs, 60/40 split-folding third-row fold-in-floor seat, a six-way manual-adjustable driver seat, tri-zone air-conditioning, six-speaker CD stereo, cruise control, power windows and door locks and keyless entry.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

  • April 2026, Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail. Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
  • January 2026, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may… Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Kia Carnival, most often about electrical system (82), unknown or other (19), engine (15).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica or the 2027 Kia Carnival?
Efficiency

The 2027 Kia Carnival lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (27 vs. the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica's 21 MPG/MPGe).

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q02How large is the efficiency gap between the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2027 Kia Carnival?
Efficiency

6 combined MPG/MPGe separates the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica from the 2027 Kia Carnival at the midpoint, a relative difference of 28.6%.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q03Do the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and 2027 Kia Carnival share any drive layout?
Drivetrain

Yes. The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2027 Kia Carnival both list Front-Wheel Drive among their current drive designations.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q04Do the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and 2027 Kia Carnival share an engine or propulsion description?
Powertrain

No. Their current engine or propulsion descriptions do not overlap. The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica lists 3.6L 6-cyl. The 2027 Kia Carnival lists 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid, 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q05Do the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and 2027 Kia Carnival share a transmission type?
Powertrain

No shared transmission description between the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2027 Kia Carnival in this snapshot. 2027 Chrysler Pacifica: Automatic 9-spd. 2027 Kia Carnival: Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8).

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q06Do the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and 2027 Kia Carnival run on the same fuel type?
Fuel

Yes, entirely: the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2027 Kia Carnival both run on Regular and nothing else in this snapshot.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q07Do the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and 2027 Kia Carnival use comparable propulsion technology?
Electrification

Yes, at least partly: the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2027 Kia Carnival are both categorized under Conventional in this snapshot.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q08Which is cheaper to run: the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica or the 2027 Kia Carnival?
Ownership cost

The 2027 Kia Carnival lists the lower annual-cost estimate midpoint than the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica ($2,525 vs. $3,100).

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q09What is the annual running-cost gap between the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2027 Kia Carnival?
Ownership cost

$575 per year separates the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica from the 2027 Kia Carnival at the midpoint under EPA's standardized assumptions.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q10Which lineup has more internal efficiency variation: the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica or the 2027 Kia Carnival?
Fuel economy

The 2027 Kia Carnival spans a wider combined-MPG range across its own current configurations than the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica does (12 points vs. 2).

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q11Are the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2027 Kia Carnival in the same EPA size class?
Dimensions

Partly. The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2027 Kia Carnival overlap on Minivan - 2WD, but the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica also carries Minivan - 4WD.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q12Which offers more certified configurations, the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica or the 2027 Kia Carnival?
Choosing a configuration

Neither: the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2027 Kia Carnival both carry 2 certification records in this snapshot, across 2 and 2 distinct labels respectively.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table

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