Chrysler Pacifica vs Chevrolet Traverse

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica maintained its contemporary exterior styling, despite not undergoing frequent redesigns. Its smooth lines and modest grille offered a refreshing alternative to the more flamboyant designs of competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival. The Pacifica's design cleverly concealed sliding-door tracks, providing a clean look without the need for additional styling features. Available in various trims, including the base Touring and the luxurious Pinnacle, the Pacifica offered standard LED lighting and a range of wheel sizes. Optional packages like the S Appearance and Road Tripper added unique exterior and interior touches, enhancing its appeal.

Inside, the Pacifica's dashboard featured a minimalist, sculpted design with well-integrated controls. The Pinnacle trim, tested with brown Nappa leather upholstery and quilted stitching, exuded luxury, though some interior elements felt less premium. The rotary shift knob was a standout feature, though its proximity to the volume knob occasionally caused confusion. Overall, the Pacifica's interior combined style and functionality, offering a distinctive experience compared to its rivals.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse impressed with its exterior styling, consistent with Chevrolet's SUV lineup. Its interior design followed suit, featuring digital instrumentation and a Google-based infotainment system. However, the quality of materials, particularly the hard, glossy plastic and Evotex artificial leather, detracted from its overall sophistication. Available in LT, Z71, and RS trims, the Traverse's pricing ranged from $54,333 to $70,333 in Canada. The Z71 trim, tested with Radiant Red paint and a panoramic sunroof, catered to off-road enthusiasts with its enhanced suspension and all-terrain features.

Performance-wise, the Traverse's 2.5-litre turbocharged engine delivered 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for both FWD and AWD modes. The Z71 trim excelled off-road, with increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a Twin Clutch AWD system. Despite its rugged capabilities, the Traverse maintained a smooth ride on daily commutes, though its size and suspension could feel cumbersome on narrow roads. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the test vehicle averaging 10.9 L/100 km, slightly better than the official estimate.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica was equipped with 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, known as the Pentastar, had a long history within the Stellantis lineup, offering peppy acceleration and a towing capacity of 1,632 kilograms. The minivan's chassis prioritized comfort and stability, effectively damping road imperfections, though some weight transfer was noticeable during acceleration and deceleration. Positioned above mainstream rivals, the Pacifica delivered a quiet, comfortable, and refined driving experience.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. While the engine's exhaust note was less than pleasing, it provided robust power, especially in AWD mode. The Z71 trim, designed for off-road adventures, offered increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a Twin Clutch AWD system. The Traverse excelled on trails, with its suspension and Terrain mode handling challenging conditions with ease. Despite its off-road prowess, the Z71's tires and suspension also contributed to a smoother ride on rough pavement. Fuel efficiency was notable, with the test vehicle achieving 10.9 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica offered ingenious Stow ‘n Go seating, allowing second-row seats to fold flat into the floor, creating large storage bins. Standard with seven seats, the Pacifica's Pinnacle trim featured second-row captain’s chairs and a power-folding third-row seat. Passenger space was competitive, with ample headroom and legroom across all rows. Cargo capacity was generous, with up to 3,978 litres available with seats folded. The Stow ‘n Vac vacuum cleaner was a practical addition, though the centre console's storage was less accessible.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse boasted significant interior volume, particularly in width. Front seats were spacious, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated features. The Traverse accommodated up to eight passengers, with second-row captain’s chairs providing comfort and support. However, the third row lacked a view due to window design and lacked USB ports, potentially frustrating passengers. Cargo space was commendable, with 648 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with seats folded. Folding the third row required adjusting the second row, complicating the process.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen featuring the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM compatibility. The instrument cluster included analog gauges with 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 passengers. However, the lack of an intercom system was a drawback.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, offering Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store access. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and SiriusXM. The user interface was intuitive, though a tuning knob was absent. Climate controls were accessible via separate knobs. An 11-inch digital instrumentation panel offered customizable views. Optional features included a digital rearview mirror and a high-definition surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety.

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

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and active blind-spot monitoring. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Enhanced Driving Package offered Super Cruise, a hands-free driving assist system, and remote-parking technology. The Traverse received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS.