Compare the2026 Hyundai PalisadeVS 2026 Chrysler Pacifica

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Hyundai Palisade 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.

Both the Palisade and Pacifica have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Palisade has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Pacifica’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Palisade 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.

With its standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, the Hyundai Palisade is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Chrysler Pacifica, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Palisade	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-18 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	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	1.8 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-34 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.4 sec	No Warning

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Palisade 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Palisade AWD’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Pacifica doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Palisade and Pacifica have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Palisade has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (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 Palisade’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 Palisade 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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Palisade is safer than the Pacifica:

	Palisade	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	360/382 pounds	472/742 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

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 Hyundai Palisade is safer than the Pacifica:

	Palisade	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	44	167
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.79 in	.94 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.26 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	44	83
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.35 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	89 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	357 lbs.	1450 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Hyundai Palisade achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Pacifica is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The Palisade comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Pacifica’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Palisade 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Chrysler covers the Pacifica. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Pacifica ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is ranked 22nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler With 60 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Hyundai higher than Chrysler.

Engine

The Palisade’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 27 more horsepower (287 vs. 260) than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid. The Palisade’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 42 more horsepower (329 vs. 287) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (339 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Hyundai Palisade is faster than the Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid:

	Palisade V6	Palisade Hybrid	Pacifica
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	6.6 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	15 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.6 MPH	96.1 MPH	86.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Palisade and the Pacifica have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Palisades 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 Palisade Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.2 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Palisade higher (6 out of 10) than the Chrysler Pacifica (5 to 6). This means the Palisade produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Pacifica every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Palisade	Pacifica
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches

The Palisade’s 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 Palisade stops much shorter than the Pacifica:

	Palisade	Pacifica
70 to 0 MPH	172 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Palisade Calligraphy’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (265/45R21 vs. 245/50R20).

The Palisade Calligraphy’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pacifica’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Palisade has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica. The Palisade Calligraphy’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pacifica.

Suspension and Handling

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

The Palisade has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the Palisade XRT PRO’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Pacifica’s (39 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The Palisade’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Pacifica AWD’s (39.2 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Palisade has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (7.4 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Palisade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Palisade XRT PRO’s minimum ground clearance is 3 inches higher than on the Pacifica (8.4 vs. 5.4 inches).

Chassis

The Palisade is 5.1 inches shorter than the Pacifica, making the Palisade easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Palisade has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and 4 inches more rear legroom than the Pacifica.

Cargo Capacity

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

Towing

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

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Palisade, using the Electronic 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/Select.

Servicing Ease

The Palisade 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.

Ergonomics

The Palisade Calligraphy has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, 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 Palisade’s driver can lower the front 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 Palisade’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Pacifica’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The Palisade SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid has standard heated front seats and second and third row heated seats also available, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Chrysler doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Pacifica.

The Palisade SEL Premium/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid has standard front air conditioned seats and the Palisade SEL Premium/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Pacifica doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

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

The Palisade Calligraphy’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Pacifica doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Palisade as the 2026 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Pacifica was last chosen in 2017.

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