Toyota Sienna vs. Chrysler Pacifica

Safety Tech: Sienna vs Pacifica

As you’re likely looking into minivan options for your family needs, you’ll want to make sure the model you land on is ultimately family friendly. This, of course, starts with the safety systems presented by each vehicle, working to help keep you and your family secure on the go. Here, you’ll find the Toyota Sienna leads the way with standard safety features that other vehicles often cannot match.

In the Sienna, you’ll get a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control all standard. These systems help avoid unexpected obstacles in front of you, help you stay within your lane, and keep up with the traffic by pre-setting your speed.

As you take a seat inside the Pacifica, you’ll find some comparable standard systems, such as the Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, LaneSense^® Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go.

Staying Informed on the Go

You’ll find the Sienna does come with a unique safety feature: Road Sign Assist. This system will use cameras to monitor the roads ahead, able to detect when you approach speed limit signs and other posted marks. The system will then alert you, making sure you’re aware of upcoming speed changes, bends in the road, and more.

Comfort in Being Connected

Behind the wheel, of course, you’ll want the ability to stay constantly connected. Fortunately, whether you’re sitting in the captain’s chair of the Sienna or the Pacifica, you’ll find ample opportunity. Thanks to features such as Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto^™, you’ll be able to seamlessly integrate your device with your ride for calling, texting, and other app functionalities.

However, you’ll find a difference between the two systems as the Toyota comes standard with Amazon Alexa functionality. Using this, you’ll have a personal assistant behind the wheel, able to use your voice to control different features. The Pacifica does offer similar tech, but it does not come standard, so you’ll have to upgrade to get it.

Elevating Convenience With Unique Interior Features

Of course, as you sit inside your minivan with your family and friends, you’ll want the room necessary to seat everyone comfortably. While you’ll have plenty of room for three rows worth of seating in both the Toyota and the Chrysler, an obvious difference will become apparent: The Sienna comes ready to seat eight passengers, while the Pacifica can only fit seven.

You may even find yourself screaming your remarks to the third row while trying to break up a spat between your kids or tell your friends that you need to stop at the next exit. Here, the Sienna makes it easy to use the force of your voice through the available Driver Easy Speak. It broadcasts your comments from the front seat to the rear speakers. You won’t find anything like this available inside the cabin of the Pacifica.

If you carry your key fob in a voluminous purse or slip it into a deep pocket, you won’t have to take it out to start your Toyota, either. The available Smart Key System with Push Button Start allows you to start the minivan with that button. No system like this starts up the Chrysler.

Efficient Agility: Sienna vs Pacifica

When it comes to performance, the Toyota Sienna spins circles around its competitor. The Sienna comes with a hybrid engine under the hood. Its setup features a 2.5L 16-valve engine which is mated to two permanent magnet synchronous motors. Together, this system will work hard, providing 245 net horsepower.

Perhaps more impressive, though, are the fuel economy figures earned by this hybrid engine. Behind the wheel, you’ll be able to earn an EPA-estimated 36 city/36 highway MPG, unheard-of fuel economy figures for a vehicle of this size and class.* So, whether you’re driving to work on a long commute, dropping off the kids at school along the way, or headed out on a family road trip, stopping for gas will be relegated to the back of your mind.

Looking over at the Chrysler Pacifica, you will find that it does not come standard with a hybrid engine, rather a traditional gas one. What does this mean? Well, it means that your ability to earn top dollar fuel efficiency figures will take a hit. Behind the wheel of the Pacifica, you will be able to earn only an EPA-estimated 19 city/28 highway MPG.

Seamless Acceleration

As you hit the highway onramp and are looking to pick up speed, it’s also the Toyota Sienna that will prevail. Its powertrain features an Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission, which will work to distribute the force produced by the engine. Because this transmission is continuously variable, though, it will work extra hard, always looking for ideal gear ratios that will provide the best driving experience.

Unfortunately, the Pacifica only features a regular 9-speed automatic transmission in its standard configuration. So, you won’t have the same type of seamless acceleration behind the wheel.