Voyager vs Carnival
If you’re shopping for a car in the minivan class, the Voyager and the Carnival are likely both on your shortlist. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 1 of 4 areas go to the Carnival, and the gap is widest in space & practicality.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Tie
- Fuel Economy & Range Voyager wins
- Space & Practicality Carnival wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance6.0
- Fuel Economy & Range1.4
- Space & Practicality2.7
- Off-road & Towing6.7
- Engine & Performance6.2
- Fuel Economy & Range0.0
- Space & Practicality9.8
- Off-road & Towing0.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Carnival has 24% more cargo space
The spread here is large: 40.2 cu ft on the Carnival versus 32.3 cu ft on the Voyager. Expect to notice it. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
-
The Carnival has room for 8 seats
The difference is minor (8 seats against 7 seats), but if you’re splitting hairs, the Carnival wins it. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
-
The Voyager has better highway fuel economy
The Carnival comes close with 26 mpg; the Voyager does slightly better with 28 mpg. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
-
The Voyager has better city fuel economy
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 19 mpg for the Voyager, 18 mpg for the Carnival. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Voyager starts from a better baseline.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Voyager | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 204.3 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 79.6 in | 78.5 in |
| Height | 69.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 121.6 in | 121.7 in |
Engine & Performance
Too close to call
If engine & performance matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Neither car gives you a reason to choose it on engine & performance.
Fuel Economy & Range
Voyager leads
On balance, the Voyager leads the fuel economy & range section, just not by much. The Voyager brings better highway fuel economy. The Voyager uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes. The fuel economy & range verdict goes to the Voyager.
Fuel economy (highway)
Voyager: 28 mpg Carnival: 26 mpg Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Fuel economy (city)
Voyager: 19 mpg Carnival: 18 mpg Hybrids often shine in the city, and the Voyager has the better rating here.
Space & Practicality
Carnival leads
The space & practicality numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the Carnival. The Carnival has the edge with 24% more cargo space. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage. The takeaway: on space & practicality, the Carnival is the stronger car.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Voyager: 32.3 cu ft Carnival: 40.2 cu ft The Carnival’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
Seats
Voyager: 7 seats Carnival: 8 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the off-road & towing section; the two are too close to separate. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Safety & Tech
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the safety & tech details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Voyager | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 3.6L V6 (Pentastar) | 3.5L V6 |
| Total system output | 287 hp | 287 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 269 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Voyager | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 22 mpg | 21 mpg Thirstiest in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | 19 mpg (winner) | 18 mpg Thirstiest in the city |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 28 mpg (winner) | 26 mpg Thirstiest on the highway |
| Fuel tank | 19 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Voyager | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats | 8 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 32.3 cu ft | 40.2 cu ft (winner) Biggest cargo area |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 140.5 cu ft | 145.1 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Voyager | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 3,600 lb | 3,500 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | No | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Voyager | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 12.3 in |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | N/A (not specified) | Kia Drive Wise |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Voyager | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 204.3 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 79.6 in | 78.5 in |
| Height | 69.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 121.6 in | 121.7 in |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Voyager if…
- you want better highway fuel economy (28 mpg vs 26 mpg)
- you mostly drive in town (19 mpg vs 18 mpg in the city)
- you’re loyal to Chrysler and happy with it
Choose the Carnival if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (40.2 cu ft vs 32.3 cu ft)
- you need more seats (8 seats vs 7 seats)
- you’re comfortable with how Kia does things
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Voyager or the Carnival?
For most people, the Carnival is the stronger choice, unless having better highway fuel economy matters more to you than the rest.
Executive Summary
I don’t have a favorite brand in this fight between the Voyager and the Carnival. I just have opinions about the numbers. I’d put 24% more cargo space at the top of the list, and it belongs to the Carnival. Credit where it’s due: the Voyager offers better highway fuel economy.
Put simply, the Voyager suits people who care about fuel economy & range, while the Carnival suits people who put space & practicality first.
My pick: the Carnival, though I’d happily point you to the Voyager if you value better highway fuel economy above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.