2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica

Between the all-hybrid Toyota Sienna and the optional Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: What’s the Right Choice for You and Your Family?

The humble minivan is much-maligned. People joke about those who drive them; we've all heard them. Many of those jokesters will have to eat their words soon, however. Modern minivans offer a compelling space and fuel efficiency combination that Fort Dodge drivers prize highly.

This is because minivans combine savings at the pump with the space to fit the whole family – and maybe some of your kids' friends, too!

Despite the bad rap minivans have gotten in the last decade or two with the rise of the SUV, there are still companies making them. With space for all at the right price, who can blame them? Distinguished drivers care not about the stigma minivans carry and, instead, prefer their superior practicality at the price point. The 2023 Toyota Sienna and the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica are two of the best minivans currently on the market. Below we’ll dive deeper into these minivans and explain why we’re partial to the Toyota Sienna.

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Chrysler Pacifica vs. Toyota Sienna: Fuel Savings and What’s Under the Hood

Electric motors are all over the place in this minivan comparison. Whether it’s the hybrid exclusive Toyota Sienna or the available plug-in hybrid Chrysler Pacifica, it’s surely a battle of the minivans on the fronts of fuel savings and horsepower.

Toyota Sienna: Powertrains and MPG

Every single Toyota Sienna is a hybrid vehicle; you can’t buy a new exclusively gas 2023 Toyota Sienna if you want to. It does make sense, though. These vehicles come from a long line of Toyota hybrids, where Toyota has been a pioneer and set industry standards around cars with electric motors. This minivan pairs a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with two or three electric motors for 245 horsepower. One gets two motors with the front-wheel drive version of the car and three with the all-wheel drive version. All-wheel drive is excellent, especially if you'll be driving in the snow!

The 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid gets 36 miles to the gallon. However, this changes slightly depending on the model chosen. For a vehicle of this size, this is excellent fuel economy. The Sienna can seat 7 or 8 people, just like a full-size SUV, but you get much more bang for your buck when it comes to actually driving the Sienna around Humboldt!

Chrysler Pacifica: Powertrains and MPG

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica has two available powertrains. The standard option is a traditional internal combustion engine with a 3.6L V6 that gets 287 horsepower. While it's a little more powerful than the Sienna, the trade-off comes in the gas mileage department. The Pacifica gets just 30 miles to the gallon. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has two electric motors accompanying the same 3.6L V6 engine. The hybrid powertrain Pacifica is a plug-in hybrid, meaning you'll have to charge it at home. That's just one more thing to remember, which might not appeal to busy Pocahontas families. It does get 84 miles to the gallon equivalent, but this just means that you're increasing your electricity bill while saving some on gasoline. To add insult to injury, the plug-in hybrid Pacifica only makes 260 horsepower. What’s your power going to, if not to more horses, so you can maneuver out of tight spots to keep your family safe?

To make matters worse for the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid, it’s only available in front-wheel drive. If you’re looking for a minivan with a hybrid powertrain in all-wheel drive for traction and family safety, your best bet is to go with the Toyota Sienna all-wheel drive. It’s easy to spring for the minivan with the hybrid powertrain to save on some gas. Still, the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid just doesn’t cut it when it comes to available drive trains, horsepower, and the especially relevant convenience factor- even with all the added fuel economy.

Chrysler Pacifica vs. Toyota Sienna: Interior Technology, Comfort, and Cargo

Seating

Both of these vehicles are available in 7- and 8-person configurations. The 7-seat version of a minivan has the standard two front seats, two captain's chairs in the second row, and a bench in the third row. 8-seat versions have two benches. Upper-trim level Siennas can be equipped with reclining captain's chairs that feature their own pop-up ottomans. If you have kids who don't love long road trips, this comfortable option may be well worth the investment.

The Chrysler Pacifica does not have optional reclining second-row seats or ottomans, but it does have an available rear-seat entertainment system. The third-row seats on both minivans stack up similarly, with a change in materials depending on the minivan and model you choose. Behind the rear seats is an interesting nuance in the cargo space debate. Both the Sienna and the Pacifica have more storage space, depending on the situation.

The Toyota Sienna offers more cargo space behind the third-row seats as they stand. However, the Chrysler Pacifica has more space when the rear seats are folded down. We suspect Fort Dodge drivers would rather not have to fold their seats down if they don’t have to and stick with the Toyota Sienna. At the end of the day, though, both minivans have relatively comparable storage space.

Infotainment and Audio

The Toyota Sienna also features impressive technology. The vehicle has a 9.0" touchscreen in the front and optional screens on the back of the front seats that can be used for entertainment. This latter option is another must-have for Coalville families! The base model has a 6-speaker sound system, with mid- and upper-trim Siennas getting 8-speaker and 12-speaker systems, respectively.

Luxury Features

However, the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica does have something that sets it apart from Toyota Sienna. That’s the luxury factor found in the Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle trim. Available on both hybrid and exclusively gas powertrains, the Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle comes with all quilted leather seats that have pillowy lumbar supports in the front seats and captain’s chairs. Several luxury features, like a center console, effortlessly fit in with the rest of the leather upholstery. If you want to pay more to fancy up the inside of your vehicle, go for the Chrysler Pacifica. If you’re looking for an affordable family commuter with good gas mileage and safety ratings who still has some luxury interior options like an onboard vacuum cleaner, the Toyota Sienna might be the right choice.

Safety Features: Chrysler Pacifica vs. Toyota Sienna

The Chrysler Pacifica PHEV and the only gas Chrysler Pacifica have a wide array of safety and highway safety features, including automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, front collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. This does not manage to set it apart from the Sienna; however - Toyota's minivan features the same technology. Luckily for all minivan drivers, much of the top-of-the-line safety technology has become standard; You’ll be safe and secure in both minivans.

Reliability, Longevity, and Long-Term Value: 2023 Toyota Sienna vs. Chrysler Pacifica

Why Reliability is so important

When driving a family van, knowing it won’t need repairs when you need it most is essential. In addition, you may want to upgrade at some point, where getting the best price possible is imperative to all drivers. This includes Fort Dodge drivers and their families! If you ever want to upgrade, you don’t want your van to be a piece of junk at the time you wish to trade it in. This is another reason the reliability of your next minivan is so crucial.

Toyota Sienna: The JD Power Winner in Reliability

When it comes to reliability scores for these vans, the Toyota Sienna wins by a long shot on the JD Power predicted reliability ratings. It comes in at a hefty 74, whereas the Chrysler Pacifica falls short at 67. With the trust in JD Power in determining reliability and safety ratings, it’s safe to say that these scores will hold up over time. Do you want to spend more on repairs for your vehicle or get a lower trade-in value when you upgrade? The choice is clear; the Toyota Sienna is the choice for value in the long term.

Toyota Sienna vs. Chrysler Pacifica: The Sienna is the Choice for Iowa Families

While Chrysler has made a solid vehicle with the upscale accouterment made to fit a king, the Toyota Sienna is the clear choice who want a similar vehicle loaded with practical, family-minded features. The base models of both vehicles are priced similarly, but if you want near the same amount of features towards the top end, you’re paying more for the Chrysler Pacifica’s luxury add-ons.While Chrysler has made a solid vehicle, the Toyota Sienna is the clear choice. In addition to having better base fuel economy and more luxurious features available, it also costs several thousand dollars less than the Pacifica!

Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota: Your Toyota Sienna Destination

You’re in luck! Our dealership is loaded with practical, family-minded vehicles ready to take off the lot. Remember that if you can’t find something piques your interest in our new or used Toyota inventory, you can always contact us or come in to allow us to procure your perfect Toyota.

Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota is Fort Dodge's full-service, family-friendly dealership. Our finance team will work with you to get you the best offer. However, if you’re eager to get the ball rolling, there are steps you can take to expedite your car-buying process from home. Get pre-approved with our financing application to get everything squared away beforehand. To fine-tune things and get them just right, feel free to play around with our payment calculator too! Whether you choose to take care of this ahead of time or let us handle the details for you, we’re happy to help at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota.

Always keep in mind that our outstanding service department will keep your vehicle in great shape once you've bought it. From start to finish, we’ve got your back at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota. We can hardly wait to work with you at our Fort Dodge, IA dealership!

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