Minivan Comparison: 2025 Chrysler Grand Caravan vs Kia Carnival | Reviews

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One of the reasons the Dodge Grand Caravan was so popular for decades was because it was budget-friendly. When you mix great pricing with sliding doors and an abundance of space, you have a near-perfect family hauler. Well, you did, but budget-friendly vehicles are a thing of the past, even for Chrysler, which has owned the Grand Caravan nameplate for the last few years. Today, the Chrysler Grand Caravan comes in only one trim that starts at $47,700. While that number is well below the average new-car price in Canada, calling it a budget would be a stretch.

Of course, the Grand Caravan isn’t the only minivan being hit with inflated prices. The Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica all have higher starting prices than the Grand Caravan. So, which auto manufacturer do you turn to for a budget-friendly minivan? While budget-friendly is a fairly relative term, the only other option is the Kia Carnival. The Kia Carnival starts at $40,495 but has a bunch of trims that can take that price all the way up to $56,445.

Full disclosure, the Carnival that we test drove was the hybrid, which isn’t truly comparable to the non-hybrid Grand Caravan. However, Kia gets points for having options in its lineup that include something cheaper than the Grand Caravan, as well as something more efficient. There are a couple ways to go about this comparison, but you’ll note that pricing is generally the driving factor when it comes to these two models, and that again, there’s only one Grand Caravan trim to compare with Kia’s lineup.

1. Comparing base models: 2025 Chrysler Grand Caravan SXT ($47,700) vs 2025 Kia Carnival LX ($40,495)
2. Comparing based on comparable pricing for gasoline variants: 2025 Chrysler Grand Caravan SXT ($47,700) vs 2025 Kia Carnival EX+ ($48,895)
3. Comparing based on value: 2025 Chrysler Grand Caravan SXT ($47,700) vs 2025 Kia Carnival LX+ HEV ($46,545)

Since there’s only one Chrysler trim, you could also compare top trims, but since that difference in price would be some $10k, as well as including a bunch of things you don’t really and truly need in a minivan let’s leave that one alone.

If you’re solely looking at the above scenarios and heavily biased toward pricing, then the Kia Carnival will always come out on top, but of course, it’s not always that simple. Based on pricing and trims, the current score is Kia-1, Chrysler-0. But which minivan is more family-friendly? Which is safer? Which is easier to drive? Which is more intuitive for a less distracting drive? (Keep score in your head.)

What powers the competing minivans and which is the better drive?

The front-wheel-drive Chrysler Grand Caravan is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine that makes 287 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Hopefully, those in the market for a Grand Caravan aren’t looking for something sporty or speedy, because that’s not what you’ll get. Getting up to highway speeds quickly is a struggle and a hard push on the gas pedal will require a second for the van to realize you actually wanted it to move faster than it’s going. Once you’re at a cruising speed on the highway or even on local roads, it’s quite smooth, quiet and relatively comfortable in the driver’s seat. The Kia Carnival, on the other hand, doesn’t feel quite as heavy to drive. I wouldn’t call it light, it’s still got a bit of heft to it, but in comparison to the Grand Caravan, it is definitely a lighter drive and doesn’t feel as top-heavy when making tight turns or leaning into corners. The FWD Kia minivan houses a 3.5L V6 making 288 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Carnival tester included adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist; it works quite similarly to Ford’s Blue Cruise, but not as advanced. It won’t change lanes for you, but it will effectively keep you in a lane, and it’ll adapt its speed according to the traffic ahead of you. In addition, the head-up display shows exactly what it’s doing. If you take your hands off the wheel for too long, it’ll tell you to put them back on. Keep in mind, this tester is the higher trim and this wouldn’t be included on the lower models and it isn’t an option at all for the Chrysler, so if it’s something you need or want, then the Kia is the better option. 

The tested Carnival also had a surround view camera, which you can’t get in the Grand Caravan. The Kia’s camera is super sharp and clear, while the Grand Caravan has a pretty crappy one, but it gets the job done. Cameras make it easier to park in tight spaces but the Kia is easier to maneuver into those spots, likely because of its much smaller turning circle, 11,217 mm (36.8 ft) versus the Caravan’s 12,100 mm (39.7 ft).

Which is the more efficient minivan?

In its hybrid form, the Kia Carnival would kick the Chrysler Grand Caravan’s butt with its combined fuel consumption of 7.2 L/100 km, which will no doubt save some extra dollars at the gas station. If we compare the non-hybrids, then the numbers are a little closer, with the Caravan actually beating the Carnival, but only by a tiny bit. The Grand Caravan is rated at 10.6 L/100 km in combined driving, but during a week with the tester, we observed averages closer to the mid-high 11s. The Carnival gets a combined rating of 11.1 L/100 km, but since we test drove the hybrid version, we can’t quite confirm the gas variant’s number in real-world testing of the 2025 model year. 

Which minivan has more space?

A minivan is the ultimate family hauler, but you also want to be able shove everything and the bathroom sink (if needed) into it, pretty much at any given time. You should be able to fit large items in it without needing to ask a friend to use their vehicle. It may not be the prettiest ride, but at least you’ll be able to put it to work in more ways than one.

The Grand Caravan is only offered as a seven-seater, while Kia’s lower Carnival trims offer eight-passenger seating. Behind the Grand Caravan’s third row, you’ll find 915 litres of cargo space versus the Carnival’s 1,139 L. Sure, the Carnival has more but each has the ability to hold so much back there that it’s really not even a competition when it comes to cargo space.

If more space is required, the Grand Caravan is equipped with those iconic Stow ‘n Go seats that are exclusive to Stellantis. The third-row seats are light and easily folded flat into the trunk. The second-row seats are slightly more complicated, but become simpler after a couple tries. With all the seats down, the whole floor is entirely flat making it easy to fit a bed (which we did when we went to the drive-in movie theatre). 

Note: This is all a whole lot easier now that we no longer require any large car seats that need to be latched into place.

One of the main advantages of the Stow ‘n Gos is that other minivans won’t have that second row folding flat into the floor, but instead you’ll have to entirely remove the seats and find a place to store them. Here’s where the Grand Caravan gets major points. In the Carnival’s lower trims, the second row seats won’t fold flat, but they can, at the very least, be removed. In the tested Carnival with the VIP seats, that’s not a possibility. The VIP seats won’t fold completely down, nor can they come out because they are hardwired into the vehicle for its power functions.

What’s more important to you? A cheaper Kia Carnival or those awesome Stow ‘n Go seats; at times, I lean toward the efficient seating, but then again, how often will they actually be used?

Compare the specs of the Grand Caravan and Kia’s Carnival lineup

How important is it to have the most modern technology?

In general, Kia is great when it comes to equipping its vehicles with a ton of valuable technology features, and many are standard in its lowest trims. Overall, I’m leaning toward Kia’s infotainment setup but Chrysler’s is intuitive and much simpler. And knowing how distracting some systems can get, I would understand if someone chose simplicity over value, as odd as it may sound.

The Chrysler gets standard leather-faced seats (cloth in the Kia’s lower trims), three-zone temperature control, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, as well as second-row sunshades. It also gets a 10.1-inch infotainment screen which can wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, at nearly $50k before fees and taxes, all that stuff should be available.

Do you want a made-in-Canada minivan?

If you’re looking for something that’s made in Canada, the Chrysler Grand Caravan is still built in Windsor, Ontario. While the Kia Carnival isn’t produced here, it won’t be subject to those Trump tariffs because it’s made in South Korea.

What competes with the Chrysler Grand Caravan?

The Grand Caravan is a really great van but it’s likely not your first choice of the five available minivan choices in Canada. For some $50k, I’d put my money on a hybrid Kia Carnival that starts just below the Caravan’s price and will also save money at the gas pumps. And if you don’t want to be spending that $50k, then your other option is still the Kia, in its non-hybrid form.

The Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna have a higher starting price, but some of their fans will stay loyal to the trusted reputation of those brands. Also note the Sienna has a completely hybrid lineup. The base Chrysler Pacifica starts a bit over $50,000 and you’re not getting a whole lot more from it than with the Grand Caravan.

Final thoughts

I’ve said this before, but as a mom of three (and a puppy), I want something cheap, basic, and functional; something I don’t mind getting messy. When it comes to the Chrysler Grand Caravan versus the Kia Carnival, the Carnival’s lower trims (or hybrid variant) come out on top in so many areas, but mainly the pricing. That said, a decent used Dodge Grand Caravan for less than that base Carnival would probably make me just as happy!

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