1 Reason to Buy the 2023 Kia Carnival Over the Chrysler Pacifica
The minivan is one of the most influential family haulers of all time. In the 1980s, it became a staple of American family life, giving drivers the cargo capacity of a work van with the maneuverability of a passenger car. The minivan’s popularity endured through the early 2000s but waned with the birth of the crossover SUV. Chrysler led the early charge in the minivan craze and still produces the popular Pacifica. However, one affordable new model — the 2023 Kia Carnival — beats the Pacifica in resale value.
The 2023 Kia Carnival resale value beats the Chrysler Pacifica
The Carnival is one of the newest vehicles in the Kia lineup. While nearly every automaker has cut minivan production, Kia has gone all-in by making the Carnival one of the premier models in the segment. It’s a fantastic minivan, standing out in affordability and resale value.
The 2023 Kia Carnival has the lowest starting price of any new minivan, with buyers paying as little as $31,682. Many new vehicles have a tough time holding their value if the sale price is low. However, the Carnival holds its value, with J.D. Power giving this minivan a “great” 82/100 rating in resale value. Meanwhile, the 2023 Pacifica received only an “average” 75/100 in resale.
J.D. Power’s rating system also shows the 2023 Carnival tied for first place overall in its class alongside the Honda Odyssey. That puts the Carnival ahead of the historic Toyota Sienna and luxurious Chrysler Pacifica. Seeing the relatively new minivan performing so well against these heavyweights is surprising.
The Carnival also leads the segment in driving experience
Minivans are not necessarily known for their spirited driving abilities, but J.D. Power also gave the 2023 Kia Carnival a “great” 82/100 rating in driving experience. Meanwhile, the 2023 Pacifica got only a “fair” 69/100. This category is scored by owner feedback on their vehicles’ design, performance, comfort, functionality, safety, and technology.
The 2023 Carnival’s responsive steering, solid performance, and cabin quality give it a leg up on the competition. This minivan drives more like a well-balanced sedan than a hulking family hauler. Shoppers looking for a solid minivan that doesn’t feel like one should consider the Carnival.
Is the 2023 Kia Carnival worth buying?
The 2023 Kia Carnival is the top minivan in J.D. Power’s rankings. It leads its class in quality and reliability, earning a higher score than the Odyssey, Sienna, and Pacifica. It’s also the class leader in driving experience. And when it comes to resale value, the Carnival beats Chrysler and holds its own against Honda and Toyota.
Plus, the Carnival also has attractive styling. Add in the fact that it has the lowest base MSRP in its class and touts one of the best warranties in the industry, and the 2023 Kia Carnival is an appealing choice.
