Compare the2023 Audi Q7VS 2023 Chrysler Pacifica

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Audi Q7 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chrysler Pacifica doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Q7’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Pacifica doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q7 and Pacifica have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q7 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Pacifica’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Q7 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q7. But it costs extra on the Pacifica.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Q7’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The Pacifica doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Q7 Prestige helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Q7 and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and available around view monitors.

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 Audi Q7 is safer than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Q7	Pacifica
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	128 lbs.	149 lbs.
Hip Force	350 lbs.	395 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	290	293
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	50 G’s
Hip Force	557 lbs.	616 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Q7 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Pacifica’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q7’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Pacifica’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Q7’s reliability 27 points higher than the Pacifica.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Audi vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. With 26 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Audi higher than Chrysler.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler With 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Audi higher than Chrysler.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 5 places higher in reliability than Chrysler.

Engine

The Q7 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 1 more horsepower (261 vs. 260) than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid. The Q7 45 TFSI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The Q7 55 TFSI’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 48 more horsepower (335 vs. 287) and 107 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Q7 55 TFSI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid is faster than the Chrysler Pacifica V6:

	Q7	Pacifica
Zero to 30 MPH	3 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.8 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	90 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q7 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid gets better fuel mileage than the Pacifica 3.6 DOHC V6 AWD running its gasoline engine (19 city/25 hwy vs. 17 city/25 hwy).

Both the Q7 and the Pacifica have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Q7s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The Pacifica Hybrid doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Q7 has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q7 has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 19 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q7’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Pacifica:

	Q7	Pacifica	Pacifica AWD
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches	13.4 inches

The Q7’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Pacifica are solid, not vented.

The Q7 stops much shorter than the Pacifica:

	Q7	Pacifica
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	141 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q7 has larger standard tires than the Pacifica (255/55R19 vs. 235/65R17). The Q7’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (285/45R20 vs. 245/50R20).

The Q7’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pacifica’s standard 65 series tires. The Q7 Prestige’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Pacifica’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q7 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica. The Q7 Prestige’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pacifica.

Suspension and Handling

The Q7 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Q7 flat and controlled during cornering. The Pacifica 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Q7 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Pacifica’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For greater off-road capability the Q7 has a 2.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (8.3 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Q7 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Q7 w/Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 4.3 inches higher than on the Pacifica (9.7 vs. 5.4 inches).

Chassis

The Q7 is 5 inches shorter than the Pacifica, making the Q7 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Towing

The Q7’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pacifica’s (4400 vs. 3600 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Chrysler Pacifica is only 3600 pounds. The Q7 offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Pacifica Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any Q7 can tow a minimum of 4400 pounds.

Servicing Ease

The Q7 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pacifica uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Q7 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Pacifica. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Chrysler. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 57% lower rating, Chrysler is ranked 31st.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Pacifica Touring L/Limited/Pinnacle, the Q7 Prestige offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Q7 Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Q7’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 Pacifica’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Q7 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows 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 Q7 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.

Laser headlights, optional on the Q7 Prestige, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Pacifica’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

Consumer Reports rated the Q7’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Pacifica’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q7 Prestige offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Pacifica doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Q7 has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Pacifica doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

A manual rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are optional in the Q7 (except Premium) to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The Q7 Prestige offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Pacifica.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi Q7 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Pacifica doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Q7 55 TFSI Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Pacifica’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Q7 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Q7 with a number “5” insurance rate while the Pacifica is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

The Q7 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q7 will retain 47.36% to 48.47% of its original price after five years, while the Pacifica only retains 44.14% to 47.31%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q7 is less expensive to operate than the Pacifica because typical repairs cost less on the Q7 than the Pacifica, including $4 less for front brake pads and $20 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q7, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chrysler Pacifica isn't recommended.

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