2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 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. Unlike the Kia Carnival, Chrysler chose not to mimic an SUV aesthetic, instead opting for a clean look with sliding-door tracks cleverly hidden above and below the door frame. The Pacifica was available in several trims, including Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle, with options for LED lighting and various wheel sizes. The S Appearance and Road Tripper Packages added unique exterior and interior trims, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Pacifica's dashboard boasted a minimalist, sculpted design with well-integrated controls. The Pinnacle trim featured luxurious touches like brown Nappa leather upholstery and quilted stitching, although some interior elements felt less premium. The rotary shift knob was a standout feature, though its proximity to the volume knob occasionally caused confusion.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class retained its iconic boxy design, tracing its roots back to the original 1979 G-Wagen. Despite subtle updates to the grille and bumpers, the G-Class preserved its traditional features, including a flat hood, prominent corner lights, and robust doors with distinctive latches. Functional changes included a repositioned rearview camera and new A-pillar trim for the G 550. The G-Class offered a range of wheel options, with the AMG G 63 featuring larger wheels and carbon-fibre trim. The interior exuded opulence, with large round vents, ambient lighting, and metallic trim creating a sci-fi ambiance. The dashboard prominently displayed switches for differential locks, while AMG models boasted sportier steering wheels. The G-Class's interior, though not as spacious as some rivals, provided a commanding view of the road and reasonable visibility, making it easier to navigate urban environments.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 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 Hybrid offered a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The V6 engine, known as the Pentastar, provided ample power for acceleration and a towing capacity of 1,632 kilograms. The chassis prioritized comfort and stability, though some weight transfer was noticeable during acceleration and deceleration. The Pacifica offered a quiet and refined ride, positioning itself as a step above mainstream minivans.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class lineup included the G 550 and AMG G 63 models, along with the all-electric G 580. The G 550 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine producing 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, while the AMG G 63 retained its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, generating 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. Both models incorporated a mild-hybrid system and nine-speed automatic transmissions with permanent four-wheel drive. The G 550 accelerated from zero to 96 km/h in 5.3 seconds, while the G 63 achieved the same in 4.2 seconds. The AMG G 63 introduced the AMG Active Ride Control suspension system, enhancing both off-road and on-road performance. The G-Class excelled in off-road capabilities, with the G 63 offering a more luxurious and powerful experience.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica featured the innovative Stow ‘n Go seating, allowing second-row seats to fold flat into the floor, creating additional storage space. The Pacifica accommodated seven passengers with its standard second-row bucket seats and 60/40 split-folding third-row bench seat. Pinnacle models offered second-row captain’s chairs and a power-folding third-row seat. The Pacifica provided competitive passenger space, with ample headroom and legroom in the first two rows. Cargo space was generous, with 914 litres behind all seats, expanding to 3,978 litres with the second and third rows folded. The Stow ‘n Vac built-in vacuum cleaner was a convenient feature, though the raised centre console's storage area was less accessible.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, while not as spacious as some luxury SUVs, offered a tall passenger compartment with ample headroom. Its compact dimensions made it more manoeuvrable in urban settings. The G-Class provided 640 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place, less than some competitors. The side-hinged tailgate facilitated loading and unloading, though it could be challenging when street parked. The G-Class boasted a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, comparable to midsize pickup trucks. Despite its size, the G-Class offered a commanding view of the road and reasonable visibility, making it easier to navigate tight spaces.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, though a shortcut for the 360-degree camera view would have been appreciated. The Pacifica offered a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.1-inch touchscreens, wireless headphones, and Amazon Fire TV connectivity. The FamCam allowed parents to monitor rear-seat occupants, though an intercom system was absent.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto expected as standard. Dual 12.3-inch screens served as the gauge cluster and infotainment touchscreen, creating a seamless display. The G-Class included off-road-specific features like a Transparent Hood and augmented reality navigation. The Burmester 3D surround sound system and rear-seat entertainment system with dual 11.6-inch touchscreens enhanced the in-car experience. The MBUX system offered excellent voice recognition and a range of features tailored to the G-Class.

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

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of publication. Expected standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The G-Class featured the Pre-Safe system, which prepared the vehicle for an imminent crash. New features for 2025 included route-based speed adaptation, automated lane centring, and an emergency-stop feature.