2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica maintained its contemporary appeal despite not undergoing frequent redesigns. Its smooth exterior styling, featuring a modest grille, offered a refreshing alternative to the flashier designs of competitors like the Toyota Sienna. The Pacifica's clean look was enhanced by cleverly hidden sliding-door tracks, avoiding the need for additional styling features. Available in various trims, including the base Touring and the luxurious Pinnacle, the Pacifica came with standard LED lighting and a range of wheel options. The interior boasted a minimalist, sculpted dashboard with well-integrated controls, although some elements, like the rotary shifter, were easily confused with other controls.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in XRT, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, debuted its fifth generation in 2024. Its chunky, boxy design featured a long wheelbase and pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps, aligning with Hyundai's design aesthetic. While the front design was cohesive, the rear's mismatched proportions detracted from its overall appeal. Each trim offered specific wheel sizes, with the XRT trim adding off-road-focused features. Inside, the Santa Fe provided ample space, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim offering captain's chairs in the second row. The interior fit and finish were generally good, though some squeaks and rattles were noted during testing.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on select trims. The Pacifica's V6 engine, known as the Pentastar, provided peppy acceleration and a towing capacity of 1,632 kilograms. The minivan's chassis tuning prioritized comfort and stability, though some weight transfer was noticeable during acceleration and deceleration. The Pacifica offered a quiet and comfortable ride, positioning itself as a refined option compared to rivals.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup. The Santa Fe Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, offered 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The Santa Fe provided stable cornering and responsive steering, though turbo lag and occasional transmission delays were noted. The XRT trim's off-road capabilities were enhanced by 30-inch all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance, though it wasn't suited for rugged terrain.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica offered the innovative Stow 'n Go seating, allowing second-row seats to fold flat into the floor, creating large storage bins. The Pacifica accommodated seven passengers with standard bucket seats and a 60/40 split-folding third-row bench. Pinnacle models featured power-folding third-row seats and a power liftgate. The Pacifica's passenger space was competitive, with ample headroom and legroom across all rows. Cargo space was generous, with up to 3,978 litres available with seats folded. The Stow 'n Vac built-in vacuum cleaner was a convenient feature, though the centre console's storage was less accessible.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in interior space, offering the most third-row legroom in its class. The second-row seats had adjustable cushion angles, and both the second and third rows could be folded with a button in the cargo area. Cargo space ranged from 413 litres with all seats in use to 2,267 litres with seats folded. The Santa Fe's rear opening was widened to 127.5 cm, facilitating the loading of large items. Towing capacity varied by trim, with the XRT capable of towing up to 2,040 kilograms.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM compatibility. The instrument cluster included analog gauges and a 7-inch digital display. Up to 12 USB-C ports were available, along with built-in navigation and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Uconnect Theatre system provided rear-seat entertainment, while the FamCam allowed parents to monitor rear-seat occupants. However, the lack of an intercom system was a drawback.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital gauge cluster, except for the base hybrid trim. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad were included, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim offering a digital rearview mirror and head-up display. Bluelink app connectivity allowed for remote vehicle management, and over-the-air updates ensured up-to-date software.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in frontal and side crash tests. The IIHS named it a 2023 Top Safety Pick, though it missed the highest award due to lower scores in some crash tests. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control, with optional 360-degree camera and park assist systems.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance assist. Additional features like rear parking collision avoidance assist and Highway Drive Assist were available on higher trims. The NHTSA awarded the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it "Good" in most categories.