Compare the2026 Chrysler PacificaVS 2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Chrysler Pacifica has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Palisade doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Pacifica offers optional Emergency Vehicle Alert System, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Palisade doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

Both the Pacifica and the Palisade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

There are almost 3 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pacifica’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Pacifica second among minivans in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Palisade isn’t in the top three in its category.

As tested in Car and Driver the Pacifica Hybrid 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid is faster than the Hyundai Palisade V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Pacifica running on electricity gets better mileage than the Palisade:

On the EPA test cycle the Pacifica running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Palisade:

The Pacifica Hybrid can travel with zero emissions for 32 miles. The Palisade can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Pacifica Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Palisade doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Pacifica has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Palisade doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Chrysler Pacifica, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Palisade.

The Pacifica Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Palisade doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Pacifica AWD’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Palisade:

The Pacifica stops much shorter than the Palisade:

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Pacifica can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Palisade doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pacifica’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the Palisade (121.6 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

The design of the Chrysler Pacifica amounts to more than styling. The Pacifica offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .298 to .3 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Palisade (.31 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Pacifica get better fuel mileage.

The Pacifica uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Palisade doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Pacifica has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Palisade (165.1 vs. 161.9).

The Pacifica has .2 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 8.1 inches more rear hip room, 2 inches more rear shoulder room, .9 inches more third row headroom, 4.4 inches more third row legroom, 4.2 inches more third row hip room and 5.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Palisade.

The Pacifica’s cargo area provides more volume than the Palisade.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Pacifica. The Palisade doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Pacifica’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Palisade does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Pacifica’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Palisade’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Pacifica’s standard Keyless-Enter-N-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the van, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Palisade doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Pacifica’s standard sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The Palisade’s standard rear swing-out doors are bulky and make loading in tight spots difficult.

The Pacifica’s power side sliding doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The Palisade doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The Pacifica’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Palisade’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Pacifica has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Palisade SEL Premium/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid.

The Chrysler Pacifica has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the driver’s visor. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Hyundai charges extra for Homelink® on the Palisade.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chrysler Pacifica, based on reliability, safety and performance.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Pacifica as the 2017 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Palisade has never been chosen.

The Chrysler Pacifica outsold the Hyundai Palisade by 1390 units during 2024.