The 2023 Kia Carnival offers a compelling value proposition with its low starting price and long list of standard features. But when comparing it across the entire class, the deal seems like less of a steal. When it comes to the things people buy minivans for, handling and cargo space, the Carnival falters somewhat. It's pleasant enough, but the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica have driving experiences that are just too nice to pass up. Previously called the Sedona, the Carnival is virtually the same minivan.
The Toyota Sienna comes in at the middle of our short ranking. That's not to say that it isn't a good minivan. All of the entries on this list are within a single point of each other in the rankings, except our last-place finisher. Judging was so close, models were separated by a hair. That goes for the newly redesigned Toyota Sienna. The big change this year is that the Sienna is now offered with only a hybrid engine. There's no more purely gasoline option. This hybrid powertrain also brings with it available all-wheel-drive. Only the Sienna and the Pacifica offer that.
Thanks to the hybrid engine, the Sienna returns at a whopping 36 mpg combined EPA rating and even has a longer total range than the plug-in hybrid Pacifica by about 120 miles. Exterior styling is reminiscent of the Highlander and the new interior is more modern and upscale. The big negative is that it has a smaller cargo area than both the Honda Odyssey.
Honda knows how to make great vehicles. That's why the Civic, Accord, and CR-V are all at the top of our rankings for their respective classes. The 2023 Honda Odyssey is no exception. This minivan has a spacious and well-designed interior that is thoughtfully laid out for both drivers and passengers. The infotainment system is user-friendly and easy to understand at a quick glance. Ride quality is also top-notch with solid handling and a V6 engine that is just powerful enough without sucking down all your gas money. The only thing that kept the Odyssey from the top of the pack was the fact that you have to remove the second-row seats to utilize the maximum amount of cargo space this minivan has available. Nevertheless, it earns its spot as the second-best minivan of 2023.
The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica leads the small pack of minivans on the market. It has a comfortable ride, which is important when you're toting around the family. Even better, buyers can choose between a traditional engine and a plug-in hybrid setup. The plug-in version of the Pacifica can travel 32 miles on electricity alone before the gasoline engine kicks in. Or, drivers can set it to operate like a more traditional battery-electric hybrid to increase fuel efficiency. Altogether, the plug-in version can travel 100 miles further on a full charge and full tank of gas than its gas-only siblings. It's our preferred choice since it retains all the same features (including seats that fold into the floor) that make the Chrysler Pacifica the top minivan to beat on the market!
