Compare the2023 Ford ExplorerVS 2023 Chrysler Pacifica

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
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 Ford Explorer 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 Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Explorer 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Pacifica doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Explorer and Pacifica have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Explorer offers optional Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Pacifica’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

The Explorer’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Explorer and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, 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 Ford Explorer is safer than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Explorer	Pacifica
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	125	168
Neck Injury Risk	26.3%	29%
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	230 lbs.
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	56 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 Ford Explorer is safer than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Explorer	Pacifica
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	65	72
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	224 lbs.	395 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	54 G’s
Hip Force	604 lbs.	764 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	288	293
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	50 G’s
Hip Force	573 lbs.	616 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Explorer the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 55 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Pacifica has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

There are over 24 percent more Ford dealers than there are Chrysler dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

Reliability

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the van’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 98 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is rated below 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 Ford vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Chrysler is rated below average.

Engine

The Explorer has more powerful engines than the Pacifica:

	Horsepower	Torque
Explorer 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder	300 HP	310 lbs.-ft.
Explorer 3.3 DOHC V6 hybrid	318 HP	322 lbs.-ft.
Explorer 3.0 turbo V6	400 HP	415 lbs.-ft.
Pacifica Hybrid 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid	260 HP
Pacifica 3.6 DOHC V6	287 HP	262 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Explorer	Pacifica Hybrid	Pacifica V6
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.9 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	16.1 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	88 MPH	86.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Explorer
	RWD	3.3 V6 Hybrid	27 city/28 hwy
		Platinum 3.3 V6 Hybrid	25 city/26 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
	AWD	3.3 V6 Hybrid	23 city/26 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
		Platinum 3.3 V6 Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
Pacifica
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/28 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/25 hwy

Both the Explorer and the Pacifica have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Explorers 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 Explorer 2.3-liter’s standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (17.9 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Explorer Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18 vs. 16.5 gallons). The Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica’s standard fuel tank (20.2 vs. 19 gallons).

The Explorer Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Pacifica. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Transmission

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Explorer	Explorer ST	Pacifica	Pacifica AWD
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	14.3 inches	13 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	13.8 inches	13 inches	13.4 inches

The Explorer ST’s optional 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 Explorer stops much shorter than the Pacifica:

	Explorer	Pacifica
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Pacifica (255/65R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (275/45R21 vs. 245/50R20).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pacifica’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica. The Explorer’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pacifica.

Suspension and Handling

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

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Pacifica’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Explorer’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Pacifica’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The Explorer’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Pacifica AWD’s (38.4 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer ST has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (7.9 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Explorer Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 3.3 inches higher than on the Pacifica (8.7 vs. 5.4 inches).

Chassis

The Explorer is 5.5 inches shorter than the Pacifica, making the Explorer easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Explorer has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more third row headroom than the Pacifica.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Chrysler Pacifica is limited to 3600 pounds. The Explorer offers up to a 5600 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Pacifica Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any Explorer can tow a minimum of 3000 pounds.

Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Explorer, using the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Pacifica and isn’t available on the Pacifica Hybrid/Touring.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer 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.

Ergonomics

The Explorer’s 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.

On a hot day the Explorer’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 Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Pacifica doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Pacifica doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum 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 Ford Explorer (except Base) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Pacifica doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Explorer ST/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Pacifica’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Economic Advantages

The Explorer will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Explorer will retain 48.3% to 55.09% 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 Explorer is less expensive to operate than the Pacifica because typical repairs cost much less on the Explorer than the Pacifica, including $133 less for a muffler, $126 less for front brake pads, $240 less for a starter, $22 less for a fuel pump, $169 less for front struts and $45 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Explorer will be $69 to $5053 less than for the Chrysler Pacifica.

Recommendations

The Ford Explorer outsold the Chrysler Pacifica/Voyager by over two to one during 2022.

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