Compare the2023 Chrysler PacificaVS 2023 Ford Explorer

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Chrysler Pacifica are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Ford Explorer doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

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

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, results indicate that the Chrysler Pacifica is safer than the Ford Explorer:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Pacifica is 3.1% to 4.2% less likely to roll over than the Explorer.

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 Chrysler Pacifica’s reliability 15 points higher than the Explorer.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chrysler Pacifica V6 is faster than the Ford Explorer Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Pacifica running on electricity gets better mileage than the Explorer:

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

The Pacifica Hybrid can travel with zero emissions for 32 miles. The Explorer has to start its internal combustion engine after only 3 miles.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chrysler Pacifica uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Explorer ST/Platinum/King Ranch/Timberline requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Pacifica Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Explorer doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Pacifica stops shorter than the Explorer:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pacifica’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Explorer (121.6 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pacifica is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Explorer.

The Pacifica offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Explorer can only carry 7.

The Pacifica has 12.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Explorer (165.1 vs. 152.7).

The Pacifica has 2 inches more front shoulder room, 5.7 inches more rear hip room, 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 4.3 inches more third row legroom, 8.6 inches more third row hip room and 6.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Explorer.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pacifica’s middle and third row seats recline. The Explorer’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Pacifica’s cargo area provides more volume than the Explorer.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Pacifica easier. The Pacifica’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 24.3 inches, while the Explorer’s liftover is 31.1 inches.

The Pacifica’s cargo area is larger than the Explorer’s in almost every dimension:

The Pacifica has standard Stow ’n Go second and third row seats (except Hybrid for the second row), which fold flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Explorer only has a third row seat which folds into the floor. The Explorer’s second row seat doesn’t fold into the floor and eats up cargo room.

The Pacifica’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Explorer’s (3600 vs. 3000 pounds).

The Pacifica’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Explorer does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Pacifica Limited/Pinnacle’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 Explorer’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Pacifica’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Explorer’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Pacifica’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Explorer XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline/King Ranch/ST/Platinum.

When the Pacifica Limited/Pinnacle is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Explorer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Pacifica has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Explorer.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Pacifica is less expensive to operate than the Explorer because it costs $409 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Pacifica than the Explorer, including $153 less for a water pump, $16 less for fuel injection and $605 less for a power steering pump.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Pacifica as the 2017 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Explorer has never been chosen.