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2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot2024 Chrysler Pacifica vs Toyota Sienna
These minivan stalwarts offer some great features. We compare the Sienna and the Pacifica to determine the right choice for your family.
Leaders in a Small Segment Go Head-to-Head
The minivan segment has shrunken over the years with big names like Ford, Chevy, and Nissan having exited the space years ago. In its place is the omnipresent SUV. But hope is not lost for those who still cherish the simplicity of sliding side doors and cavernous cabins when it comes to hauling kids and all their stuff. There’s the exciting new electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz and the two options detailed in this 2024 Chrysler Pacifica vs. Toyota Sienna comparison.
Chrysler may be down to a single vehicle at this point with the Pacifica minivan, but it’s a good one. Introduced in 2017, the Pacifica is the only plug-in hybrid (PHEV) minivan available, though a naturally aspirated V6 is standard. Offered in front- (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), the Pacifica can be driven purely on electricity for around 30 miles. It also boasts the parent-favorite Stow ‘n Go seating wizardry.
Over at Toyota, the fourth-generation Sienna landed in 2021 with a traditional hybrid powertrain as the only configuration. Like the Pacifica, it can be fitted with FWD or AWD across the lineup. The Sienna’s unique calling card is the available Woodland Edition model. Along with standard AWD, it has a lifted suspension that bumps ground clearance to 7 inches, nearly 2 inches higher than the Pacifica can manage.
Specs
In base form, the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica comes with a naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 rated for 287 horsepower. It pairs with a 9-speed automatic to spin the front wheels or AWD can be added for $3,000. There is also a PHEV Pacifica offered in Select or Pinnacle trim. FWD-only, it adds a pair of battery-powered electric motors to the V6 to make 260 hp and is mated to CVT. With it, the Pacifica offers 32 miles of electric driving range and a 30-mpg combined rating. In the non-hybrid setup, the 2024 Pacifica is rated for 22 mpg combined with FWD or 20 with AWD.
Every 2024 Toyota Sienna comes with a traditional hybrid powertrain – no plugging in – that blends a 2.5L inline-4 and two electric motors in base FWD spec. AWD costs $2,000 extra and tacks on a third motor to the rear end with a CVT in both cases. Combined horsepower comes in at 245 and fuel economy is markedly better than the Pacifica with combined ratings of 36 mpg for FWD models and 35 mpg when AWD is fitted.
Driving and Performance
Neither minivan in this Chrysler Pacifica vs. Toyota Sienna matchup is going to win any drag races with 0-60 mph times in the seven-second range. But that’s not the point of a minivan. The point is to tote lots of people and stuff with ease. With fully independent suspension all around, both of these minivans promise a confident ride at the very least.
Toyota does note that the Sienna XSE features a sport-tuned suspension to go along with the sporty exterior vibe and in Woodland Edition, added ground clearance and standard AWD offer a touch more trail capability. When it comes to towing, the Pacifica and Sienna are closely matched with a 3,600-pound rating for the Chrysler and a 3,500-pound rating for the Toyota, though towing with the Pacifica PHEV is not recommended.
Comfort and Interior
On paper, the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna are very similar, measuring 204 inches long and seating 7 or 8 depending on configuration. Also common are a wide range of creature comforts like Nappa leather, climatized front seats, multi-zone automatic climate control, and a sunroof. In the legroom department, Toyota edges Chrysler with 40 inches of second-row space and 39 inches in the third-row, 1 and 3 inches more than the Pacifica, respectively.
However, the Chrysler Pacifica boasts a maximum cargo space of 140 cubic feet, quite a bit more than the 101 available in the Sienna. This is due in part to its ability to fold both back rows of seats down into the floor as part of its Stow ‘n Go system. In the Sienna, the third-row seats can fold mostly flat into the floor, but the second row of seats does not fold flat and cannot be removed.
That said, the Sienna’s available “Super Long Slide” middle-row captain’s chairs offer a deep recline, 25 inches of slidability, and extendable footrests. So, depending on how you plan to use your minivan, the Pacifica and Sienna’s significantly different approaches to cabin design will factor into your decision.
Trims and Features
Touring L trim starts at $41,805, adding synthetic leather, more USB ports, and a larger front console. For $48,575, the Pacifica Limited features a hands-free liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather, heated second-row seats, and a 13-speaker Alpine audio system. The range-topping Pacifica Pinnacle starts at $54,430 and comes with 20” wheels, hands-free side doors, rear lumbar pillows, an onboard vacuum, and a rear entertainment system.
The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica starts at $39,645 for a Touring model that features 17” alloy wheels, LED headlights, power-sliding side doors, cloth upholstery, heated front seats, and a 10.1” central touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring. All models come with forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, and adaptive cruise control.
The Pacifica PHEV is offered in Select trim for $51,250 and largely mirrors the Touring L model for content. This powertrain can also be fitted to the Pinnacle variant for $59,980 to start.
Toyota’s 2024 Sienna has a base price of $37,685 and includes 17” wheels, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, a 9” central display, wired smartphone mirroring, and the same list of driver aids as the Pacifica. The XLE model starts at just about $43,000 and adds a sunroof, hands-free side doors, a power liftgate, and heated front seats. Sporty XSE trim comes with 20” wheels and black trim for $45,245.
The outdoorsy Woodland Edition Sienna comes in at $48,625 for which you get a lifted suspension, a JBL 12-speaker, an integrated power inverter, and navigation. Limited models kick off at $49,945 and come with climatized front seats, leather upholstery, and the option for a digital rearview mirror. The range-topping Sienna Platinum starts at $53,145 and comes with upgraded headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated second-row seats, and a head-up display.
The Verdict
But, ultimately, the 2024 Toyota Sienna does a better job. It has a lower starting price and the top-line Platinum comes almost $7,000 below a Pacifica Pinnacle PHEV. That price disparity combined with the far better fuel efficiency of the Sienna makes it an easy decision. Toyota’s two years of complimentary maintenance is the icing on top.
Though they occupy the same segment, the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna go about the minivan job in notably different ways. One area they don’t diverge is safety as both have top marks from the IIHS and the NHTSA. As for favorable features of the Pacifica, it offers the benefit of electric-only driving range which can cut down dramatically on gas station stops if you’re doing a fair amount of around-town driving. It also has the trick Stow ‘n Go seats, quite a bit more cargo space, and a more elegant exterior design.
