Compare the2023 Chrysler PacificaVS 2023 GMC Acadia

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Chrysler Pacifica has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Pacifica has standard Rear Park Assist with Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Pacifica and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chrysler Pacifica is safer than the GMC Acadia:

	Pacifica	Acadia
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	168	285
Leg Forces (l/r)	75/194 lbs.	129/383 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	196	319
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	25%	43%
Neck Stress	117 lbs.	203 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	99 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chrysler Pacifica is safer than the GMC Acadia:

	Pacifica	Acadia
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	72	125
Abdominal Force	149 lbs.	156 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	66	276
Hip Force	764 lbs.	799 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	293	381
Hip Force	616 lbs.	760 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Pacifica is 3.5% to 5.5% less likely to roll over than the Acadia.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Pacifica its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Acadia last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The Pacifica’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 43 percent more Chrysler dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Pacifica’s warranty.

Engine

The Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 32 more horsepower (260 vs. 228) than the Acadia’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Pacifica running on electricity gets better mileage than the Acadia:

			MPGe
Pacifica
	FWD	Hybrid Electric Motor	87 city/77 hwy
Acadia
			MPG
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Pacifica running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Acadia:

			MPG
Pacifica
	FWD	3.6 V6 Hybrid	29 city/30 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/28 hwy
Acadia
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy

The Pacifica Hybrid can travel with zero emissions for 32 miles. The Acadia can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chrysler Pacifica uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Acadia with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

The Pacifica Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Acadia doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Pacifica’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Acadia:

	Pacifica	Pacifica AWD	Acadia
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.8 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.4 inches	12.4 inches

The Pacifica stops shorter than the Acadia:

	Pacifica	Acadia
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	173 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Pacifica’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Acadia’s optional 55 series tires.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Pacifica can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Acadia doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Pacifica’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Acadia doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pacifica’s wheelbase is 9.1 inches longer than on the Acadia (121.6 inches vs. 112.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pacifica is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Acadia.

Passenger Space

The Pacifica offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Acadia can only carry up to 7.

The Pacifica has 21.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Acadia (165.1 vs. 143.8).

The Pacifica has .1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 4.4 inches more front shoulder room, 11.5 inches more rear hip room, 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.5 inches more third row headroom, 6.8 inches more third row legroom, 6.6 inches more third row hip room and 6.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Acadia.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pacifica’s middle and third row seats recline. The Acadia’s third row seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Pacifica is 1.7 inches lower than the Acadia (16.3” vs. 18”). The Pacifica’s rear step up height is .8 inches lower than the Acadia’s (18.2” vs. 19”).

Cargo Capacity

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

	Pacifica	Acadia
Behind Third Seat	32.3 cubic feet	12.8 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	87.5 cubic feet	41.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	140.5 cubic feet	79 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Pacifica easier. The Pacifica’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 24.3 inches, while the Acadia’s liftover is 32 inches.

The Pacifica’s cargo area is larger than the Acadia’s in almost every dimension:

	Pacifica	Acadia
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	23.2”/57.5”/92.5”	18.5”/48”/83”
Max Width	49.3”	50”
Min Width	48.8”	42.5”
Height	47.6”	33”

The Pacifica has standard Stow ’n Go second and third row seats (except Hybrid for the second row), which fold flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Acadia doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Pacifica. The Acadia doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Pacifica’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (3600 vs. 1000 pounds).

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the Pacifica (except Hybrid/Touring) uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Acadia doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Pacifica’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Acadia does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Pacifica Limited/Pinnacle’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Acadia’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

The Pacifica Hybrid has a standard locking fuel and charge port 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. The Acadia doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Pacifica’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Acadia’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Pacifica’s headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Acadia’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

The Pacifica has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Acadia.

The Pacifica’s optional ParkSense Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Acadia doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Pacifica is less expensive to operate than the Acadia because it costs $709 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Pacifica than the Acadia, including $133 less for a water pump, $4 less for front brake pads, $118 less for fuel injection, $24 less for a fuel pump, $272 less for a timing belt/chain and $702 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

The Pacifica was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 6 years. The Acadia has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

The Chrysler Pacifica/Voyager outsold the GMC Acadia by 16% during the 2021 model year.