Compare the2023 Chrysler PacificaVS 2022 Subaru Ascent

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Chrysler Pacifica are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Subaru Ascent doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

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 Ascent doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Pacifica offers an optional Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Ascent only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Pacifica has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Pacifica has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Pacifica and the Ascent have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available all wheel drive.

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 Subaru Ascent:

	Pacifica	Ascent
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	168	190
Leg Forces (l/r)	75/194 lbs.	159/292 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	196	210
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	25%	33%
Neck Stress	117 lbs.	197 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	156 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 Subaru Ascent:

	Pacifica	Ascent
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	66	81
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	18 inches
Spine Acceleration	50 G’s	52 G’s
Hip Force	616 lbs.	637 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 5.4% to 6.1% less likely to roll over than the Ascent.

Warranty

There are almost 4 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pacifica’s warranty.

Engine

The Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 27 more horsepower (287 vs. 260) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chrysler Pacifica V6 is faster than the Subaru Ascent:

	Pacifica	Ascent
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.4 MPH	88.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPGe
Pacifica
	FWD	Hybrid Electric Motor	87 city/77 hwy
Ascent
			MPG
	AWD	2.4 turbo flat-4	21 city/27 hwy
		Limited/Touring 2.4 turbo flat-4	20 city/26 hwy

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

Regenerative brakes improve the Pacifica Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Ascent doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Pacifica’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (not available Hybrid). The Ascent doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Pacifica has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Ascent doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chrysler Pacifica higher (7 out of 10) than the Subaru Ascent (3). This means the Pacifica produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Ascent every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Pacifica AWD	Ascent
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13.4 inches	13 inches

The Pacifica stops much shorter than the Ascent:

	Pacifica	Ascent
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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 Ascent doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Pacifica has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Ascent’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Pacifica has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Ascent doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

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 Ascent doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pacifica’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the Ascent (121.6 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pacifica is 4 inches wider in the front and 4.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Ascent.

Chassis

The front grille of the Pacifica uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Ascent doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Pacifica uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Ascent doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Pacifica has 11.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Ascent (165.1 vs. 153.5).

The Pacifica has 1.3 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear legroom, 7.3 inches more rear hip room, 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.4 inches more third row headroom, 4.8 inches more third row legroom, 3.6 inches more third row hip room and 4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Ascent.

The front step up height for the Pacifica is 1.4 inches lower than the Ascent (16.3” vs. 17.7”).

Cargo Capacity

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

	Pacifica	Ascent
Behind Third Seat	32.3 cubic feet	17.8 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	87.5 cubic feet	47.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	140.5 cubic feet	86.5 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 Ascent’s liftover is 32 inches.

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

	Pacifica	Ascent
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	23.2”/57.5”/92.5”	19.9”/47.6”/82.5”
Max Width	49.3”	50.5”
Min Width	48.8”	45.9”
Height	47.6”	33.9”

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 Ascent doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the Pacifica Limited/Pinnacle’s third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Ascent doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Pacifica’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Ascent doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The Pacifica’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Ascent’s (3600 vs. 2000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The Pacifica Touring L/Limited/Pinnacle’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Ascent doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Ascent does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Pacifica and the Ascent have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Pacifica is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Ascent prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Ascent’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Ascent’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Pacifica’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring.

When the Pacifica Limited/Pinnacle is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Ascent’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 is only available on the Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring.

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 Ascent doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Pacifica is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Ascent doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Pacifica is less expensive to operate than the Ascent because it costs $564 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Pacifica than the Ascent, including $126 less for a water pump, $119 less for a starter, $37 less for fuel injection and $240 less for front struts.

Recommendations

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its May 2018 issue and they ranked the Chrysler Pacifica Limited first. They ranked the Subaru Ascent Touring third.

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

The Chrysler Pacifica/Voyager outsold the Subaru Ascent by 46% during the 2021 model year.