Compare the2023 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2023 Chrysler Pacifica

The Traverse has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Pacifica doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Traverse and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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

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 Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the Chrysler Pacifica:

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

The Traverse’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Pacifica’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 20 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are Chrysler dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

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 Traverse’s reliability 31 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 Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 118 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is ranked 34th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Chrysler is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 2 places higher in reliability than Chrysler.

The Traverse’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 50 more horsepower (310 vs. 260) than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid. The Traverse’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 23 more horsepower (310 vs. 287) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Traverse is faster than the Chrysler Pacifica:

Both the Traverse and the Pacifica have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Traverses 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 Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 19 gallons).

The Traverse stops much shorter than the Pacifica:

For better traction, the Traverse has larger tires than the Pacifica (255/65R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Traverse’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (255/65R18 vs. 245/50R20).

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

The Chevrolet Traverse’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Chrysler Pacifica only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Traverse 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.

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

For better maneuverability, the Traverse’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Pacifica’s (39 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The Traverse’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Pacifica AWD’s (39 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Traverse has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (7.5 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Traverse to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Chevrolet Traverse may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Chrysler Pacifica.

The Traverse has 2.7 inches more front headroom and .4 inches more rear headroom than the Pacifica.

Maximum trailer towing in the Chrysler Pacifica is limited to 3600 pounds. The Traverse offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Pacifica Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any Traverse can tow a minimum of 1500 pounds.

The Traverse can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Traverse can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Pacifica can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Traverse 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.

On a hot day the Traverse’s driver can lower all 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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Traverse’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Pacifica doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Traverse LT/RS/Premier/High Country has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Pacifica doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Traverse is less expensive to operate than the Pacifica because typical repairs cost much less on the Traverse than the Pacifica, including $447 less for a muffler, $57 less for a starter and $157 less for front struts.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Traverse will be $2687 to $3236 less than for the Chrysler Pacifica.

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

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Chrysler Pacifica/Voyager by 52% during the 2021 model year.