Price
Winner: 2021 Honda Odyssey
There are some categories that are tricky to define, since they’re based on subjective matters like comfort or perceived quality. In this case, the Honda Odyssey scores a clear-cut win by the fact that its base price is several thousand dollars less than the Chrysler Pacifica. Starting around $32,000, the base Odyssey undercuts the most affordable Pacifica, which carries a starting price of roughly $35,000.
To its credit, the Chrysler comes packed with features – including satellite radio, a power liftgate, blind spot monitoring, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. For these items, you’ll have to venture upward to the higher Odyssey LX trim, a model priced much closer to the standard Pacifica. While this is a seesaw contest, the less expensive Odyssey earns a close win.
Reliability
Winner: 2021 Honda Odyssey
In our vehicle rankings, we include a category for predicted reliability as calculated by J.D. Power. The Odyssey earns an average mark when it comes to predicted reliability. Not far behind, the Pacifica nips at the heels of the Honda but, in the end, this is another win for the Odyssey.
Seat Comfort
Winner: 2021 Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey and Pacifica offer three rows of seating and, unlike many SUVs, the rear-most seats can be used by adults. They’re also easier to access, thanks to their lower ride height and second-row seats that slide and fold out of the way. In terms of space, comfort, and cushioning, the seats in the Odyssey hold the advantage.
The Pacifica isn’t going to leave you battered and bruised, it’s still plenty comfy inside. Blame the Chrysler’s key cargo-toting party trick, which requires thinner cushioning in the second and third rows. That’s why they’re not as cushy as what you get in the Honda. So, what’s the Pacifica’s secret? Check the next slide to find out.
Cargo Space
Winner: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica
In terms of sheer volume, the win here should go to the Honda Odyssey. With every seat occupied, there is more than 38 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row. That compares to a little over 32 cubic feet in the Pacifica with the third row occupied. Remove both the second and third row, and it remains advantage Odyssey, thanks to its total volume of 158 cubic feet. That’s compared to 140.5 cubic feet in the Pacifica. However, the Chrysler has Stow n’ Go seating, which drops the second and third row seats directly into bins hiding in the floor.
With the Honda, you’ll have to manually remove the second row seats, plus find someplace to store them, when maxing out cargo space. Numbers don’t lie, the Odyssey is roomier when it comes to cargo space. But the convenience of the Pacifica’s Stow n’Go seating gives it a deserved win.
Interior Quality
Winner: 2021 Honda Odyssey
The cabin of the Chrysler Pacifica is nicely designed, and upper trim levels have a premium look and feel to them. However, the Honda Odyssey is a half-step ahead in terms of materials used throughout the interior, and the sense of overall quality. A few cheap-looking plastic parts can be spotted here and there in the Pacifica, which is something that can’t be said about the uniformly classy cabin of the Odyssey.
Interior Features
Winner: Tie
Lots of comfort and convenience features can be found in these two minivans. These include rear-seat entertainment systems, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless device charging, panoramic sunroofs, built-in vacuum cleaners, and so much more. When fitted with every available option, the Odyssey and Pacifica would make many luxury cars and SUVs envious.
The Chrysler has the more user-friendly infotainment system, and it comes standard with a larger screen than what you get in the base Odyssey, not to mention Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Each will spoil you for choice and customization, so neither holds a commanding advantage here.
Acceleration
Winner: 2021 Honda Odyssey
Thanks to its 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission, the Odyssey provides plenty of straight-line speed when you punch the gas pedal. The standard V6 in the Pacifica has a slight advantage when it comes to power output, except the 287-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic in the Chrysler don’t have the same verve you get in the Odyssey. Sure, we know tire-burning acceleration isn’t a major concern for minivan shoppers. But it’s nice to know there’s performance to spare when you need it.
Fuel Economy
Winner: Tie
You can’t get any closer than an exact tie when it comes to fuel economy figures. That’s correct, the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica register identical EPA-estimated averages of 19 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway. Each of these two front-wheel drive minivans runs on a diet of regular gasoline, too. Keep in mind, a Pacifica fitted with optional all-wheel drive has extra grip, though it’s a little less fuel efficient with a combined 20 mpg city/highway average.
Ride and Handling
Winner: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica
The key word for the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica is “balanced.” The suspension and steering for both of these minivans performs admirably when it comes to providing a level ride, composed driving dynamics, and direct handling.
Each takes the rough edges off arduous daily commutes, or long-distance trips with a full complement of passengers. Thanks to their manageable size and quick-witted handling, you can dart the Honda or Chrysler into gaps in traffic that many larger SUVs would be hard-pressed to squeeze into.
What gives the Pacifica the win in this category is the addition of all-wheel drive. Only one other vehicle in the minivan segment offers it, the Toyota Sienna.
Safety
Winner: 2021 Honda Odyssey
Both the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica score a perfect five out of five stars in overall crash test ratings issued by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. Where the Honda pulls ahead is in crash test results recorded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The Odyssey earns the highly-coveted Top Safety Pick+ score, the highest possible rating, thanks to its superb performance in each test. The only crash test where the Pacifica recorded an “Acceptable” versus “Good” score (Good being the top mark) was in the Small Overlap Front-Passenger Side test. If safety is a top concern, you really can’t go wrong with either of these two minivans.
Towing
Winner: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica nets another win by having 100 pounds more towing capacity than its Honda rival. When properly equipped, the Pacifica can tow 3,600 pounds, versus a 3,500 maximum in the Odyssey.
The Winner Is …
2021 Honda Odyssey
The 2021 Honda Odyssey is the clear winner when you count up its six category wins, versus three for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. Except let’s not forget there were three ties in categories such as ride and handling, interior features, and fuel economy. Tilt those slightly to the Pacifica and this becomes a veritable coin toss. The key thing to remember is that minivans remain a smart alternative to SUVs, many of which don’t come close to matching the comfort, convenience, and driving manners of this Honda and Chrysler. The Odyssey ultimately feels a little more polished and refined in how it goes about its business. Granted, it doesn’t offer all-wheel drive, a new addition to the Pacifica range that could put the Chrysler minivan on the shopping lists of many people, especially those living in snowy climates.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Want to learn more about these two minivans, along with how they stack up to all their rivals? Then be sure to make use of our extensive new car rankings, where you’ll find everything from safety scores and pricing information, to predicted reliability, performance, and cargo capacity.
Peruse our best car deals and lease deals pages to find the best offers in your area.
Finally, when you’ve made up your mind on that ideal new car, don’t forget to use our U.S. News Best Price Program to find the best offer in your area. Buyers who use this program save an average of more than $3,000 off their purchase.
2021 Honda Odyssey vs. 2021 Chrysler Pacifica: Head to Head
- Price: 2021 Honda Odyssey
- Reliability: 2021 Honda Odyssey
- Seat Comfort: 2021 Honda Odyssey
- Cargo Space: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica
- Interior Quality: 2021 Honda Odyssey
- Interior Features: Tie
- Acceleration: 2021 Honda Odyssey
- Fuel Economy: Tie
- Ride and Handling: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica
- Safety: 2021 Honda Odyssey
- Towing: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica
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Odyssey vs. Pacifica: Which Minivan Is Better?
Minivans are a great way to get a bunch of people, plus a lot of luggage, from one place to another. And among modern minivans, two of the best are the 2021 Honda Odyssey and 2021 Chrysler Pacifica.
So, now’s the time to drop minivan preconceptions about wood-paneled exteriors, peanut butter-smudged seats, and juice boxes strewn all over the floor.
In fact, the Odyssey and Pacifica boast a number of features unavailable on a vast majority of popular sport-utility vehicles. Would you like rear seats that fold completely out of the way? Or, how about a built-in vacuum to make the cabin spotless after a Cheerio and potato chip-fueled road trip? One of these two minivans even offers optional all-wheel drive – you’ll have to keep reading to find out which one it is.
While they’re more than a match for today’s most popular compact and midsize SUVs, which of these minivans pulls ahead of the other? We’ve broken things down into key categories, based on everything from safety scores and seat comfort, to predicted reliability, fuel economy, and towing capability. In the end, a clear winner emerged, though this minivan battle was closely fought.