Compare the2022 Honda OdysseyVS 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Odyssey are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Odyssey has a standard Whiplash Mitigation Front Seat Design, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Mitigation Front Seat Design system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Odyssey and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The engine in the Odyssey has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Pacifica have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Odyssey second among minivans in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Pacifica isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 19th in initial quality. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 14 places higher in reliability than Chrysler.

The Odyssey’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 20 more horsepower (280 vs. 260) than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Odyssey is faster than the Chrysler Pacifica:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Odyssey’s fuel efficiency. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Odyssey has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.5 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Odyssey, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Pacifica.

The Odyssey stops shorter than the Pacifica:

The Odyssey’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pacifica’s standard 65 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Odyssey has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica.

The Odyssey has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Pacifica doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Odyssey’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the Pacifica’s (39.6 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The Odyssey’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Pacifica AWD’s (39.6 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

The Odyssey has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more third row legroom than the Pacifica.

The Odyssey’s cargo area provides more volume than the Pacifica.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Odyssey easier. The Odyssey’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 22.5 inches, while the Pacifica’s liftover is 24.3 inches.

While the Pacifica Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any Odyssey can tow a minimum of 3500 pounds.

The Odyssey’s standard front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Pacifica’s standard power windows’ front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Odyssey the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Pacifica can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Odyssey has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. A locking fuel/charge port door is only offered on the Pacifica Hybrid.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Odyssey Elite has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Pacifica doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Odyssey owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Odyssey will cost $655 less than the Pacifica over a five-year period.

The Odyssey will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Odyssey will retain 47.19% to 50.84% of its original price after five years, while the Pacifica only retains 38.51% to 47.08%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Odyssey is less expensive to operate than the Pacifica because typical repairs cost much less on the Odyssey than the Pacifica, including $320 less for a muffler, $121 less for front brake pads, $165 less for front struts and $550 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Odyssey will be $2891 to $5578 less than for the Chrysler Pacifica.

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Honda Odyssey, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Odyssey first among minivans in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Pacifica was rated second.