Pacifica vs Odyssey
Two brands, one target. The Pacifica from Chrysler and the Odyssey from Honda compete head to head for minivan shoppers. Neither side dominates. Only a few of the compared specs differ by enough to matter day to day.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Tie
- Fuel Economy & Range Tie
- Space & Practicality Odyssey wins
- Off-road & Towing Pacifica wins
- Engine & Performance6.0
- Fuel Economy & Range1.4
- Space & Practicality2.7
- Off-road & Towing10.0
- Engine & Performance5.0
- Fuel Economy & Range1.4
- Space & Practicality5.8
- Off-road & Towing0.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Odyssey has room for 8 seats
The Pacifica isn’t far behind at 7 seats, but the Odyssey’s 8 seats still comes out ahead. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
-
The Pacifica has available all-wheel drive
You won’t find this on the Odyssey. With the Pacifica, it’s part of the package. All-wheel drive helps you get going on slippery roads, but good tires matter just as much for stopping and turning.
Design & Size
- Pacifica 204.3 in × 79.6 in × 69.9 in
- Odyssey 205.2 in × 78.5 in × 69.6 in
Expect the same physical presence from both; their dimensions are very close.
Dimensions
| Spec | Pacifica | Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 204.3 in | 205.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 79.6 in | 78.5 in |
| Height | 69.9 in | 69.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 121.6 in | 118.1 in |
Engine & Performance
Too close to call
This is a tie in all but name. On engine & performance, both deliver about the same. Either car will serve you equally well on engine & performance.
Fuel Economy & Range
Too close to call
On paper, the fuel economy & range comparison ends all square. Bottom line for fuel economy & range: it’s a wash.
Space & Practicality
Odyssey leads
The Odyssey has the slight upper hand on space & practicality. The Odyssey has the edge with room for 8 seats. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car. For anyone who cares most about space & practicality, the Odyssey is the safer choice.
Seats
Pacifica: 7 seats Odyssey: 8 seats The Odyssey has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
Off-road & Towing
Pacifica leads
The Pacifica squeezes out a win in the off-road & towing section. Choose the Pacifica and you get available all-wheel drive. The Pacifica offers all-wheel drive; the Odyssey doesn’t, which matters if you face harsh winters. The takeaway: on off-road & towing, the Pacifica is the stronger car.
AWD / 4WD available
Pacifica: yes Odyssey: no Available all-wheel drive improves traction in rain, snow and on loose surfaces.
Safety & Tech
Names, not numbers: the safety & tech rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Pacifica | Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 3.6L V6 (Pentastar) | 3.5L V6 |
| Total system output | 287 hp | 280 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Pacifica | Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 22 mpg | 22 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 19 mpg | 19 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 28 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Fuel tank | 19 gal | 19.5 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Pacifica | Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats | 8 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 32.3 cu ft | 32.8 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 140.5 cu ft | 140.7 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Pacifica | Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 3,600 lb | 3,500 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes (winner) | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Pacifica | Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 9 in |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | N/A (not specified) | Honda Sensing |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Pacifica | Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 204.3 in | 205.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 79.6 in | 78.5 in |
| Height | 69.9 in | 69.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 121.6 in | 118.1 in |
Price
| Spec | Pacifica | Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $42,795 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Pacifica if…
- you want all-wheel drive available
- you trust Chrysler and want to keep things familiar
Choose the Odyssey if…
- you regularly carry extra passengers (8 seats vs 7 seats)
- you already use other Honda products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Pacifica or the Odyssey?
Neither wins outright. Choose the Pacifica if off-road & towing matters most, or the Odyssey if space & practicality does.
Is the Pacifica bigger than the Odyssey?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the Pacifica and the Odyssey is too small to matter.
Executive Summary
Cross-brand comparisons are where I find the real differences in philosophy, and the Pacifica versus the Odyssey shows that nicely. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the Pacifica brings available all-wheel drive. Credit where it’s due: the Odyssey offers room for 8 seats.
I’d match them like this: off-road & towing to the Pacifica, space & practicality to the Odyssey.
My pick: whichever matches your priority, since off-road & towing means the Pacifica and space & practicality means the Odyssey.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.