Compare the2024 Mazda CX-90VS 2023 Chrysler Pacifica

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-90 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 CX-90 offers an optional Secondary Collision Reduction System, 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 CX-90. But it costs extra on the Pacifica.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the CX-90’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Pacifica doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The CX-90’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 CX-90 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 and available around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. With 85 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda 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 Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Chrysler is rated below average.

The CX-90 has more powerful engines than the Pacifica:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Pacifica running its gasoline engine:

Both the CX-90 and the Pacifica have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All CX-90s 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 CX-90’s standard fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-90’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.

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the Pacifica (265/55R19 vs. 235/65R17). The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (275/45R21 vs. 245/50R20).

The CX-90’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 CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Pacifica’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pacifica.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Pacifica (122.8 inches vs. 121.6 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Pacifica’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The CX-90’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Pacifica AWD’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (8 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S’ minimum ground clearance is 2.7 inches higher than on the Pacifica (8.1 vs. 5.4 inches).

The CX-90 is 3.5 inches shorter than the Pacifica, making the CX-90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-90 has .6 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the Pacifica.

Maximum trailer towing in the Chrysler Pacifica is limited to 3600 pounds. The CX-90 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Pacifica Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any CX-90 can tow a minimum of 3500 pounds.

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the CX-90, using the Dynamic Stability Control 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 PacificaHybrid/Touring.

The CX-90 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 CX-90 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.

The CX-90 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 CX-90’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.

The CX-90 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. A locking fuel/charge port door is only offered on the Pacifica Hybrid.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-90 Turbo S 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 CX-90 Premium Plus has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Pacifica doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-90 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Pacifica doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.