Compare the2024 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Chrysler Pacifica

The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking 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.

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

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

Both the Atlas 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, 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 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 Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the Chrysler Pacifica:

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Atlas its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 135 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Pacifica is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

The Atlas comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Pacifica’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Pacifica’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Chrysler doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Pacifica.

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Pacifica’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 Atlas’ reliability 15 points higher than the Chrysler Pacifica and 43 points higher than the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. With 1 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler With 23 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Chrysler.

The Atlas’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (269 vs. 260) than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid. The Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

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

Both the Atlas and the Pacifica have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Atlas’s 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 Atlas has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.6 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Atlas has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks 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.

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

The Atlas’ 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.

The Atlas stops much shorter than the Pacifica:

For better traction, the Atlas has larger standard tires than the Pacifica (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (265/45R21 vs. 245/50R20).

The Atlas SE/Peak Edition’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pacifica’s standard 65 series tires. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Pacifica’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas SE/Peak Edition has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pacifica.

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

For greater off-road capability the Atlas has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (6.3 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Atlas to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Atlas is 3.6 inches shorter than the Pacifica, making the Atlas easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Atlas has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom and .8 inches more rear headroom than the Pacifica.

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

While the Pacifica Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any Atlas can tow a minimum of 2000 pounds.

The Atlas 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 Atlas SEL has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information 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 Atlas’ 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.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL 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.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Atlas’ available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Pacifica’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Pacifica doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Atlas has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Pacifica doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Atlas owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Atlas with a number “5” insurance rate while the Pacifica is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Atlas is less expensive to operate than the Pacifica because typical repairs cost less on the Atlas than the Pacifica, including $41 less for a muffler, $47 less for front brake pads and $25 less for a fuel pump.

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