Family fun awaits — make the most of every day with the connected, spacious, and versatile 2026 Kia Carnival MPV or 2026 Chrysler Pacifica minivan. These family-friendly three-row models boast a number of similarities, including their engines and interior layout. However, each offers unique features, capabilities, and systems that may make one or the other a stronger fit for your needs. Find out what sets the Carnival MPV and Chrysler Pacifica apart with this comparison from the team at Southlake Kia.
If you find that the Carnival MPV comes out on top as your preferred model, browse our new inventory to find your ideal Kia Carnival MPV for sale in Merrillville, IN. Be sure to set up a test drive with the model that catches your eye, and explore the enticing monthly rates available with our Carnival MPV lease offer.
Questions? Contact our team online or by calling us at (219) 947-1500. We’re always happy to help.
2026 Kia Carnival MPV vs. Chrysler Pacifica Exterior Design
Impressively designed with practicality and style at the forefront, the 2026 Kia Carnival MPV and 2026 Chrysler Pacifica offer everything you need for modern family adventures. Both models come equipped with power sliding side doors, LED lighting, and premium options like dual-panel sunroofs and smart opening rear liftgates. Their wheel sizes vary a bit, with larger 20-inch wheels available on the Chrysler minivan. Unique to the Carnival MPV are skid plates for a bit more rugged capability, while the Pacifica offers hands-free sliding doors and a unique roof rack.
Shared available exterior features:
- 17-in. wheels
- Power sliding side doors
- Heated, power, power-folding exterior mirrors with memory
- LED headlights and fog lights
- Smart power liftgate (Carnival MPV) / hands-free power liftgate (Pacifica)
- Dual sunroofs (Carnival MPV) / dual-panel panoramic sunroof (Pacifica)
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Unique Kia Carnival MPV exterior features include:
- 19-in. wheels
- Digital Key 2.0
- Front and rear skid plates
Unique Chrysler Pacifica exterior features include:
- 18- or 20-in. wheels
- Stow ‘n Place® roof rack
- Hands-free sliding doors
- Auto-dimming driver’s side outside mirror
2026 Kia Carnival MPV vs. Chrysler Pacifica Interior Design & Technology
Enjoy family-friendly interior design, whether you pick the 2026 Kia Carnival MPV or 2026 Chrysler Pacifica. The spacious three-row interiors of both models include a number of similar features, including eight-way power front seats with heat and ventilation, tri-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, and an in-cabin camera system. A unique interior design feature of the Pacifica is its Stow ‘n Go® seating and storage system that allows you to fold the second- and third-row seats into the floor. Meanwhile, the Carnival MPV allows you to take second-row comfort to the next level with optional second-row lounge seats with ventilation and leg extensions.
When it comes to technology, the Kia Carnival MPV stands out with its available dual 12.3-inch displays that meld into one curving display across the dash. For its part, the Pacifica includes a 7-inch driver information display and a separate 10.1-inch touchscreen. Appreciate similar technologies like Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone mirroring, a rear-seat entertainment system, and wireless charging with either model. If you want your family vehicle equipped with a concert-like listening experience, the Carnival MPV offers a 12-speaker Bose® audio system, and the Pacifica offers 19 Harman Kardon® speakers.
Shared interior and technology features include:
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Eight-way power driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar
- Eight-way front passenger’s seat
- Heated steering wheel
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless in Carnival MPV)
- Wireless phone charger
- Dual-screen rear entertainment system
- Passenger View in-cabin camera (Carnival MPV) / FamCAM® interior camera (Pacifica)
- Remote start
Unique Kia Carnival MPV interior and technology features include:
- Woven cloth, SynTex, or leather seat upholstery
- Ventilated second-row seats
- Sliding and removable second-row seats or power lounge seats with comfort headrest and leg extension
- 60/40 split-folding third-row seats
- Full Display Mirror® digital rearview mirror
- Passenger Talk in-cabin intercom
- 12.3-in. curved instrument display
- 12.3-in. infotainment touchscreen with navigation
- Bose premium audio system with 12 speakers
- 11-in. head-up display
Unique Chrysler Pacifica interior and technology features include:
- Caprice leatherette or Nappa leather seat upholstery
- Automatic-dimming rearview mirror
- 7-in. full color display
- Uconnect® 5 infotainment system with 10.1-in. touchscreen
- Second-row Stow ‘n Go seats with easy tilt or easy slide second-row bucket seats
- Third-row Stow ‘n Go 60 40 bench seat or power-folding third-row seat with remote headrest folding
- 19 Harman Kardon speakers with subwoofer and 760W amplifier
- Amazon Fire TV Built-in
- Stow ‘n Vac® integrated vacuum
2026 Kia Carnival MPV vs. Chrysler Pacifica Engine Specs & Fuel Economy
Daily drives and weekend getaways are easier with the confident V6 engine capability included with the 2026 Kia Carnival MPV and 2026 Chrysler Pacifica. Overall, the 3.5L V6 engine of the Carnival MPV and the 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine offer similar specs, with identical horsepower and an ever-so-slight torque advantage for the Chrysler. Achieve up to 25 MPG on the highway with the Carnival MPV or up to 28 highway MPG with the Pacifica — both with standard front-wheel drive (FWD), though the Chrysler minivan offers all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. You can tow up to 3,500 pounds in the Kia Carnival MPV or up to 3,600 pounds with the Chrysler Pacifica when either model is properly equipped.
Compare the Carnival MPV and Pacifica engine specs in the following chart.
| Kia Carnival MPV |
2026 Model |
Chrysler Pacifica |
| 3.5L V6 |
Engine |
3.6L Pentastar V6 |
| 287 HP |
Horsepower |
287 HP |
| 260 lb.-ft. |
Torque |
262 lb.-ft. |
| 18 / 25 |
MPG (City/Hwy) |
19 / 28 |
| 3,500 lbs. |
Max. Towing Capacity |
3,600 lbs. |
| Eight-speed automatic |
Transmission |
Nine-speed automatic |
| FWD |
Drivetrain |
FWD / AWD |
2026 Kia Carnival MPV vs. Chrysler Pacifica Size & Cargo Space
Pack all the extras. Offer to drive the team. Make that last stop with confidence. The 2026 Kia Carnival MPV and 2026 Chrysler Pacifica have the space you’re looking for. While they are similar in overall length and can seat either eight or seven, you’ll find slightly more interior space in the Carnival MPV. Most notably, the Kia offers more headroom in all three rows, more second-row legroom, and more cargo space than the Chrysler.
Compare the Carnival MPV and Pacifica dimensions in the following chart.
| Kia Carnival MPV |
2026 Model |
Chrysler Pacifica |
| 203 in. |
Length |
204.3 in. |
| 4,555 lbs. |
Base Curb Weight |
4,521 lbs. |
| Eight |
Max. Seating |
Eight |
| 40.9 / 39.5 / 38.6 in. |
Headroom (First/Second/Third Row) |
38.4 / 38 / 38.7 in. |
| 41.1 / 40.5 / 35.6 in. |
Legroom (First/Second/Third Row) |
41.1 / 39 / 36.5 in. |
| 145.1 / 40.2 cu.-ft. |
Cargo Volume (Max./Min.) |
140.5 / 32.3 cu.-ft. |
2026 Kia Carnival MPV vs. Chrysler Pacifica Safety Options & Features
With family onboard, safety isn’t optional. That’s why the 2026 Kia Carnival MPV and 2026 Chrysler Pacifica both include a long list of standard and available safety features. Both models include systems designed to help you spot vehicles in your blind spots, stay in your lane, enjoy adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capabilities, and avoid potential collisions as you’re parking. Both models offer a 360-degree surround view camera system for superb visibility. A unique system available on the Carnival MPV is Highway Driving Assist 2, which works like adaptive cruise control, plus the ability to help you with steering wheel control during signal-activated lane changes.
Kia Carnival MPV safety features include:
- Standard
- Blind spot collision avoidance assist
- Forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection
- Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist
- High beam assist
- Front and rear park distance warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keeping assist
- Lane following assist
- Navigation-based smart cruise control with stop and go
- Highway Driving Assist
- Intelligent speed limit assist
- Driver attention warning with leading vehicle departure alert
- Rear occupant alert
- Safe exit assist
- Available
- Blind spot view monitor
- Forward collision avoidance assist with junction crossing, direct oncoming, lane change oncoming, lane change side, and evasive steering assist detection
- Side park distance warning
- Reverse parking collision avoidance assist
- 360-degree surround view monitor
- Navigation-based smart cruise control with stop and go – curve
- Smart cruise control with stop and go and machine learning
- Highway Driving Assist 2
Chrysler Pacifica safety features include:
- Standard
- Advanced brake assist
- Pedestrian emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- Blind spot rear rear cross-path detection
- Full speed forward collision warning plus
- Lane departure warning plus
- ParkSense® rear park assist with stop
- Automatic high-beam headlamp control
- ParkView® rear backup camera with washer
- Available
- 360-degree surround view camera system
- ParkSense front and rear park assist
Learn More About the Kia Carnival MPV
Finding your ideal family vehicle is easy with help from the team at Southlake Kia. To see if the Carnival MPV is the best fit for you, take the next step in your research with our model review that covers the model in more detail. Head over to our trims page for information about standard equipment and the Kia Carnival MPV price for each trim option. Because a comfortable and flexible interior is critical for a top-tier family drive, we’ve created an in-depth Carnival MPV interior guide so you can see what it has to offer.
Once you’ve finished your online research, schedule a test drive at our Kia dealership in Merrillville, IN, and experience the Carnival MPV for yourself. Browse our new inventory to get started, then be sure to consider our Carnival MPV lease offer.
Ask our team of Kia professionals for more information about your favorite Carnival MPV using our online contact form or by calling us at (219) 947-1500.
