Compare the2024 Toyota HighlanderVS 2024 Chrysler Pacifica

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Highlander 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.

With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Toyota Highlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Chrysler Pacifica, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Highlander	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-22 MPH	-4 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-6 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
37 MPH Brights	-25 MPH	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-25 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	2 sec	No Warning

The Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, 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 Highlander AWD’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Pacifica doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Highlander and Pacifica have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Highlander Limited/Platinum has Parking Support Brake (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 Highlander’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 Highlander and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 Toyota Highlander is safer than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Highlander	Pacifica
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	55	72
Chest Movement	.3 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	79 lbs.	149 lbs.
Hip Force	300 lbs.	395 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	37 G’s	54 G’s
Hip Force	152 lbs.	764 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	50 G’s

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Pacifica:

	Highlander	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	71	167
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.51 in	.94 in
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	112 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.06 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	357 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	201 lbs.	1450 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Toyota Highlander achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Pacifica last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023.

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota 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.

Reliability

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 Highlander’s reliability 26 points higher than the Chrysler Pacifica and 55 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 Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. With 56 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota 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 Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Chrysler is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Chrysler is ranked 30th.

Engine

The Highlander’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (265 vs. 260) than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid. The Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Highlander is faster than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Highlander	Pacifica Hybrid	Pacifica V6
Zero to 30 MPH	3.1 sec	3.8 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	8.3 sec	8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.4 sec	4.8 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	16.5 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92 MPH	91 MPH	90 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Highlander
	FWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
Pacifica
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/28 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/25 hwy

Both the Highlander and the Pacifica have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Highlanders 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 Highlander 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 Highlander 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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Highlander	Pacifica
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	13 inches

The Highlander stops much shorter than the Pacifica:

	Highlander	Pacifica
60 to 0 MPH	133 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander LE/XLE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica.

Suspension and Handling

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

For better maneuverability, the Highlander’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Pacifica’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The Highlander’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the Pacifica AWD’s (37.4 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (8 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Toyota Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 650 pounds less than the Chrysler Pacifica.

The Highlander is 9.4 inches shorter than the Pacifica, making the Highlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Highlander has 1.1 inches more front headroom and .9 inches more front legroom than the Pacifica.

Towing

The Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pacifica’s (5000 vs. 3600 pounds).

While the Pacifica Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any Highlander can tow a minimum of 5000 pounds.

A Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is standard on the Highlander, using the Enhanced Vehicle 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 Pacifica Hybrid/Touring.

Ergonomics

The Highlander Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer 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 Highlander’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.

If the windows are left open on the Highlander the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Pacifica can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

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 Highlander’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Pacifica’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Highlander XLE/XSE/Limited/Platinum has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Pacifica doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Highlander will retain 54.44% to 56.71% of its original price after five years, while the Pacifica only retains 48.53% to 50.2%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Highlander will be $4960 to $10289 less than for the Chrysler Pacifica.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Highlander and the Chrysler Pacifica, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Chrysler Pacifica by 41% during 2023.