Compare the2025 Buick EnclaveVS 2025 Chrysler Pacifica

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Enclave has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Pacifica doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Buick Enclave achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Chrysler Pacifica has not been tested.

The Buick Enclave’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Chrysler Pacifica does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Enclave and Pacifica have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Enclave has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (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 Enclave’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 Enclave 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, 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 front parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Buick Enclave is safer than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Enclave	Pacifica
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	165	168
Neck Injury Risk	20.1%	29%
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	230 lbs.
Neck Compression	2 lbs.	56 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	32/13 lbs.	75/194 lbs.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Enclave is much safer than the Pacifica:

	Enclave	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	67/90 pounds	180/292 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	67/90 pounds	180/292 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

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 Buick Enclave is safer than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Enclave	Pacifica
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	72
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	73 lbs.	149 lbs.
Hip Force	372 lbs.	395 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	48 G’s	54 G’s
Hip Force	518 lbs.	764 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	48 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 Buick Enclave is safer than the Pacifica:

	Enclave	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	55	167
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.47 in	.94 in
Shoulder Force	-156 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	1.26 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	5 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	-312 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	602 lbs.	1450 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Buick Enclave has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Pacifica is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The Enclave’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Pacifica’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Enclave 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 Enclave’s reliability 13 points higher than the Chrysler Pacifica and 32 points higher than the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 161 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is ranked 30th.

Engine

The Enclave’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 68 more horsepower (328 vs. 260) than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid. The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (328 vs. 287) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Buick Enclave is faster than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Enclave	Pacifica Hybrid	Pacifica V6
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	7.8 sec	7.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.9 sec	19.7 sec	19.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.1 sec	8.1 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	16.1 sec	15.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	90 MPH	91 MPH
Top Speed	130 MPH	107 MPH	111 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Enclave AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Pacifica 3.6 DOHC V6 AWD running its gasoline engine (19 city/24 hwy vs. 17 city/25 hwy).

Both the Enclave and the Pacifica have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Enclaves 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 Enclave FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 19 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

The Enclave stops much shorter than the Pacifica:

	Enclave	Pacifica
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	109 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Enclave has larger standard tires than the Pacifica (255/55R20 vs. 235/65R17). The Enclave’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (275/45R22 vs. 245/50R20).

The Enclave’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 Enclave’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Pacifica’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Enclave has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica. The Enclave’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pacifica.

The Buick Enclave’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Chrysler Pacifica only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

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

The Enclave offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Pacifica’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Enclave’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Pacifica’s (39 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Enclave has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (6.8 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Enclave to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Enclave has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and 2.5 inches more rear legroom than the Pacifica.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Enclave’s optional second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Pacifica doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Towing

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

While the Pacifica Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any Enclave can tow a minimum of 1500 pounds.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Enclave, using the StabiliTrak® 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/Select.

Servicing Ease

The Enclave 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Chrysler. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 20% lower rating, Chrysler is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

The Enclave offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, navigation instruction, infotainment 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.

On a hot day the Enclave’s driver can lower all 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.

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

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Enclave Avenir has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Pacifica doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Buick Enclave has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the Pacifica.

The Enclave Avenir has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Pacifica.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Buick Enclave has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Pacifica.

The Enclave’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Pacifica’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

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