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When searching for a minivan, you will find yourself with numerous vehicles to choose from as nearly every automaker has their own offering within the segment. Two of the more popular options are the Chrysler Pacifica, which replaced the previous Chrysler Town and Country several years ago, and the Dodge Grand Caravan. To help you choose between the two vehicles, take a look at some of their key differences.

Dodge Grand Caravan vs Chrysler Pacifica

Dodge Grand Caravan

Chrysler Pacifica

Exterior Appearance and First Impressions

The Chrysler Pacifica and the Dodge Grand Caravan have the same parent company, but that does not stop them from having very different appearances. The latest Dodge Caravan is still part of the generation introduced in 2008, the fifth generation, although it was reworked in 2011. This leads to a dated appearance. Meanwhile, the Pacifica only arrived in 2017, which means it offers comparatively modern styling.

Key Dimensions and Capacities

These two minivans are incredibly similar in size. The Grand Caravan from Dodge is 78.7 inches wide, 69 inches high, and 203.7 inches in length. The Chrysler Pacifica is slightly larger all around, with an extra 0.9 inches in width and height and an extra 0.1 inches in length. The Pacifica also has a slightly larger wheelbase, measuring 121.6 inches compared to the Dodge Grand Caravan’s 121.2 inches. When it comes to loading cargo, the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Pacifica have 24 inches and 24.3 inches of lift over height, respectively. All of those differences are fairly negligible, although if you are concerned about maneuvering a minivan, the slightly smaller size of the Dodge may be appealing. However, the average person will not notice a real difference in terms of maneuverability. Additionally, the extra size of the Chrysler Pacifica comes in handy when it comes to interior seating space. The Pacifica’s front passengers get an extra 0.3 inches of headroom, 0.4 for legroom, 0.1 for shoulder room, and 0.6 for hip room. The second-row passengers get between an additional 0.3 and 2.6 inches of headroom and from 1.9 to 2.5 inches of legroom in the Pacifica over the Grand Caravan. Although the Grand Caravan offers 1.1 to 1.7 inches more of shoulder room and as much as 0.2 inches more of hip room in this row. In terms of cargo capacity, the Dodge Grand Caravan has 31.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 78.9 behind the second row, and 140.3 behind the first row. The Chrysler Pacifica beats all three figures with 32.3, 87.5, and 140.5 cubic feet, respectively.

Engine, Performance, and Efficiency

The Dodge Grand Caravan just offers drivers one engine, a 3.6-liter V6 with 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It works with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Chrysler Pacifica also has a 3.6-liter V6, but with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet. It works with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Most drivers will appreciate the slight advantages of the Pacifica’s engine in this respect, with the Pacifica’s transmission being a reasonably sized advantage. The Grand Caravan gets as much as 17 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined. In contrast, the Pacifica can get up to 19, 28, and 22 mpg combined. It is also noteworthy that the Pacifica offers a hybrid version for even better fuel economy.

Pricing and Configurations

The starting prices for both of these minivans are very similar, although the Chrysler Pacifica has a larger price range. The Dodge Grand Caravan’s MSRP range is from $26,790 to $34,495 while the Pacifica’s varies from $26,985 to $44,445. The Dodge offers three trim levels while the Pacifica offers six trims. At first glance, it would be easy to assume that the greater number of trim options for the Chrysler Pacifica makes it more likely that you can find a configuration that best meets your needs. To make up for the somewhat limited trim options, however, the Dodge Grand Caravan offers numerous standalone options as well as packages. The Pacifica has most of its features within the trims themselves, although there are still some options available. The result is the ability to configure either the Grand Caravan or the Pacifica to meet your specific needs.

Available Features

The list of available features on the Chrysler Pacifica is a bit longer than that of the Dodge Grand Caravan. That being said, the Dodge minivan has everything you truly need from a minivan. Available features include a rear entertainment system, integrated Garmin navigation, and rear parking sensors. The Chrysler Pacifica offers more advanced safety features, premium Harman Kardon audio, ventilated front seats, and an in-vehicle vacuum, none of which the Dodge offers. The result is that most drivers will find the features that they need with the Dodge Grand Caravan, but some will need to go with the Chrysler Pacifica to get those amenities.

Conclusion

Both the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Pacifica are excellent choices for minivans. Based on the above information, you should have a better idea of what sets the two models apart, helping you make an informed purchase decision.