Compare the2023 Ford Transit Connect WagonVS 2023 Chrysler Pacifica

The Transit Connect Wagon’s optional 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 Transit Connect Wagon and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, front parking sensors 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 Ford Transit Connect Wagon 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 Ford Transit Connect Wagon is safer than the Chrysler Pacifica:

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

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

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Transit Connect Wagon has a 220-amp alternator. The Pacifica’s standard 180-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 Transit Connect Wagon’s reliability 19 points higher than the Chrysler Pacifica and 47 points higher than the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the Transit Connect Wagon gets better mileage than the Pacifica running its gasoline engine:

Both the Transit Connect Wagon and the Pacifica have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Transit Connect Wagons 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 Transit Connect Wagon stops much shorter than the Pacifica:

The Transit Connect Wagon’s 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 Transit Connect Wagon has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your work or a trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Pacifica; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

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

The Ford Transit Connect Wagon may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1000 pounds less than the Chrysler Pacifica.

The Transit Connect Wagon is 1 foot, 2.3 inches shorter than the Pacifica, making the Transit Connect Wagon easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Transit Connect Wagon is 7.4 inches narrower than the Pacifica, making the Transit Connect Wagon easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Transit Connect Wagon has 6.8 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, 6.1 inches more rear headroom and 3.2 inches more third row headroom than the Pacifica.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Transit Connect Wagon easier. The Transit Connect Wagon’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 22.4 inches, while the Pacifica’s liftover is 24.3 inches.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Transit Connect Wagon to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Pacifica doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Transit Connect Wagon offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Pacifica doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Transit Connect offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) on the dashboard. The Pacifica doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Transit Connect Wagon will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Transit Connect Wagon will retain 51.49% to 52.41% of its original price after five years, while the Pacifica only retains 44.14% to 47.31%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Transit Connect Wagon will be $8760 to $20933 less than for the Chrysler Pacifica.