Compare the2024 GMC AcadiaVS 2024 Chrysler Pacifica

The Acadia has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Pacifica doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Acadia AT4’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Pacifica doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Acadia and Pacifica have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Acadia has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Pacifica’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

The Acadia’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Acadia and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 front parking sensors.

The Acadia’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Pacifica’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 83 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler With 48 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks GMC higher than Chrysler.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks GMC 6 places higher in reliability than Chrysler.

The Acadia’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 68 more horsepower (328 vs. 260) than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid. The Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (328 vs. 287) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

Both the Acadia and the Pacifica have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Acadia’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The Pacifica Hybrid doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Acadia FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Acadia AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 19 gallons).

For better traction, the Acadia has larger standard tires than the Pacifica (255/55R20 vs. 235/65R17). The Acadia Denali’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (275/45R22 vs. 245/50R20).

The Acadia’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pacifica’s standard 65 series tires. The Acadia Denali’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Pacifica’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Acadia AT4 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica. The Acadia Denali’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pacifica.

The GMC Acadia’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Chrysler Pacifica only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Acadia has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Pacifica doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the ’s turning circle is 39.7 feet tighter than the Pacifica’s ( feet vs. 39.7 feet). The ’s turning circle is 40.2 feet tighter than the Pacifica AWD’s ( feet vs. 40.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Acadia Elevation has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (6.8 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Acadia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Acadia AT4’s minimum ground clearance is 2.4 inches higher than on the Pacifica (7.8 vs. 5.4 inches).

The Acadia has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more rear headroom and 2.5 inches more rear legroom than the Pacifica.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Acadia Denali’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Pacifica doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Maximum trailer towing in the Chrysler Pacifica is limited to 3600 pounds. The Acadia offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Pacifica Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any Acadia can tow a minimum of 1500 pounds.

Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is standard on the Acadia, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Pacifica and isn’t available on the Pacifica Hybrid/Touring.

The Acadia uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pacifica uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Acadia offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

On a hot day the Acadia’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Pacifica can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the GMC Acadia has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Pacifica doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Acadia’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Pacifica (except Touring)’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.