The family-friendly minivan has seen a decline in popularity in recent years as the style is seen as uncool, and drivers have been moving toward SUVs. However, Kia has shaken up the minivan market by introducing the all-new 2022 Carnival MPV, which is now available from Huffines Kia Corinth, Texas. The Carnival offers all the space and versatility of a traditional family hauler but with the practicality and stylish looks of an SUV.
But how does the Kia Carnival stack up against the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica, a vehicle that has more than three decades of minivan design behind it? The current generation of the Pacifica began with the 2017 model year and has led the field — until now. Let’s see how these two vehicles compare.
Trim Levels and Price
Image via Kia USA
The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica and 2022 Kia Carnival are offered in four main trim levels. You can choose the Pacifica in Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Pacifica Touring starts at $35,820, while the top-of-the-range Pinnacle has a starting price of $54,095.
The Carnival comes in LX, EX, and SX models, along with the luxurious range-topping SX Prestige. The starting price of the Carnival LX trim is $32,100, rising to a starting price of $46,100 for the SX Prestige. Each of the well-appointed Carnival models from Huffines Kia Corinth offers more for your money.
Exterior Styling
The Chrysler Pacifica offers traditional minivan styling, although it’s been updated to give it a sleeker, more streamlined appearance. Exterior features for the Touring trim include rain-sensitive windshield wipers, LED automatic headlights, daytime running lights, LED fog lights, 17-inch wheels, power-sliding rear doors, a power liftgate, a black roof rack, LED taillights, and body-colored heated power mirrors with integrated turn signals.
The touring trim adds aluminum wheels and a chrome roof rack, while the Limited trim offers 18-inch wheels, hands-free sliding doors, a hands-free liftgate, and chrome power-folding, auto-dimming mirrors with memory, puddle lamps, and auto tilt in reverse. You get 20-inch wheels and platinum chrome trim, door handles, mirrors, and body moldings with the Pinnacle.
With its SUV-inspired design, the Kia Carnival multipurpose vehicle stands apart from all other minivans on the market. It features a bold front fascia and grille, distinctive signature lighting, a stylish sculpted profile, and sporty rear-end styling.
The LX trim gives you elegant silver-painted bumper garnish, C-pillar, tailgate trim, and grille, along with black body accents and window trim. You also get automatic multi-reflector LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, power-sliding rear doors, rear privacy glass, body-color heated power mirrors with turn signals, and a rear spoiler with LED taillight.
Stepping up to the Carnival EX gets you 19-inch wheels and a smart power tailgate that opens automatically when you stand behind the vehicle with your smart key. The SX gives you satin chrome trim and body accents, front and rear satin chrome skid plates, LED fog lights, gloss black wheels, roof rails, and power-folding mirrors. The SX Prestige adds full LED headlights, dual power sunroofs, and LED combination taillights.
Passenger and Cargo Space
Inside, the Pacifica offers seven or eight seating with the available second-row center seat. The second-row seats fold easily into the floor, but the seats have less padding, support, and adjustment options to facilitate that. Behind the third-row seats, you get 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space, while folding down the second and third rows gives you a 140.5-cubic-foot cargo area.
The Kia Carnival seats up to eight people, or seven with the second-row captain’s chairs, and offers best-in-class cargo volume. In the eight-seat configuration, the second-row Slide-Flex bench has three seats that slide independently. The center seat also folds down for use as a table for second-and third-row passengers. In the SX Prestige, you’ll find class-exclusive VIP heated and ventilated second-row seating that offers a one-touch power recline and power footrests.
With the rear seats in place, you have 40.2 cubic feet for your family’s gear. With the third row folded into the floor and the second-row seats removed, you get a massive 145.1 cubic feet of cargo space. These are just some of the specs of the Carnival’s seating and cargo.
Technology
The Pacifica features the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, Bluetooth, USB ports, USB host flip, and satellite radio. Standard in the Pinnacle trim and available for other models is a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with a Blu-ray DVD player and wireless headphones.
With the Carnival LX’s infotainment system, you get an 8-inch touch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth with voice recognition, and seven USB ports. Other Carnival models feature a huge 12.3-inch touch screen, an integrated navigation system, and a wireless phone charger. The top two trims offer a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with Android and Apple device mirroring and media streaming. The SX Prestige also has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. These are just some of the entertainment and technology features of the Kia Carnival.
Power and Performance
Under the Pacifica’s hood is a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that delivers 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Touring and Touring L models come standard with front-wheel drive and offer the option of the all-wheel-drive system that is standard on the Limited and Pinnacle trims. The Pacifica can achieve up to 19 mpg around town, while you can get up to 28 mpg for highway driving. For all-wheel-drive models, the fuel economy drops to 17 mpg and 25 mpg. The Pacifica gives you a maximum towing capacity of 3,600 pounds.
The Kia Carnival features a 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. This powertrain generates 290 horsepower, which is the best in its class, and 262 pound-feet of torque. All models return up to 19 mpg around town and 26 mpg when you head out on the highway. With the Carnival, you can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
As you can see, the all-new 2022 Kia Carnival has really challenged the competition. If you’re in the market for a vehicle with 3rd row seating, be sure to check out our dealerships. Visit us today at Huffines Kia Corinth to see all the superb features of the stylish and versatile Kia Carnival.