Chrysler
Voyager
Kia
Carnival
Chrysler Voyager vs Kia Carnival: 2024 Comparison
The short answer
The Chrysler Voyager offers fuel economy, while the Kia Carnival excels at power instead. Choose the Chrysler Voyager if you prioritize fuel economy in daily driving, or the Kia Carnival if power matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Voyager
Overall
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on the specific generation discussed. For older models (e.g., early 2000s Grand Voyager), feedback is predominantly negative, citing poor fuel economy, unreliable diesel engines, automatic transmission failures, and subpar build quality. For the modern, rebadged Pacifica variant (circa 2020+), sentiment is more mixed to cautiously positive.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to specify a best trim or model year. The consensus indicates the modern Voyager's primary appeal is its role as a lower-cost entry to the Pacifica's platform and Stow 'n Go functionality.
Known issues
- ⚠Transmission reliability concerns: Reports of transmissions needing replacement around 100,000 miles (160,000 km). Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠Poor fuel economy (Older models): Specific mention of a 2003 Grand Voyager 2.8 CRDI averaging 19 MPG. Frequency: isolated.
- ⚠"Pentastar Tick" engine issue: Potential for premature wear in valve rocker arms on pre-2020 3.6L V6 engines, leading to ticking noise and possible engine damage if not addressed.
Carnival
Overall
Mixed sentiment with a clear divide between short-term satisfaction and long-term confidence. Owners consistently praise the vehicle's spaciousness, smooth ride quality, modern technology, and superior interior design and materials compared to key competitors. The hybrid variant is noted for good fuel economy and strong availability, with dealers often more negotiable than Toyota counterparts.
Best version to buy
SX Prestige Hybrid (or similarly named high trim). This trim is frequently mentioned as offering the best combination of advanced features (e.g., 360-degree camera, premium audio, advanced driver assists) while including the hybrid powertrain.
Known issues
- ⚠Long-term reliability concerns: Very frequent mentions of anxiety over the vehicle's durability beyond 100,000 miles, citing Kia's historical engine problems (oil burning, connecting rod failures) and the unproven nature of the new hybrid…
- ⚠Hybrid system malfunctions: Isolated but severe reports of the hybrid system disengaging unexpectedly during highway driving, causing drastic deceleration. Linked in one case to a faulty heater/evaporator causing battery drain.
- ⚠Infotainment/electronic failures: Reports of dead infotainment display screens, body control module failures preventing engine start, and other electrical gremlins.
The verdict
The Chrysler Voyager is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the Kia Carnival, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the Kia Carnival is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Chrysler Voyager or the Kia Carnival?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Chrysler Voyager and the Kia Carnival. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Chrysler Voyager or the Kia Carnival?
The Kia Carnival seats more passengers than the Chrysler Voyager on its catalogued best-equipped version. Body type also differs: the Chrysler Voyager is classed as a Minivan, the Kia Carnival as a Minivan.
Which has better fuel economy, the Chrysler Voyager or the Kia Carnival?
The Chrysler Voyager is more fuel-efficient on paper: 10.7 L/100km combined versus 11.1-11.2 L/100km for the Kia Carnival, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chrysler Voyager or the Kia Carnival?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Kia Carnival than the Chrysler Voyager. See the known issues comparison above.