Compare the2026 Toyota Grand Highlander VS 2027 Chrysler Pacifica

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Grand Highlander have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chrysler Pacifica doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the Toyota Grand Highlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Chrysler Pacifica, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Grand Highlander	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-6 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.8 sec	No Warning

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Grand Highlander achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Chrysler Pacifica has not been tested.

The Grand Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Grand Highlander AWD’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Pacifica doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Toyota Grand Highlander’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system is only offered on some models of the Chrysler Pacifica.

Both the Grand Highlander and Pacifica have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has Parking Support Brake (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 Grand Highlander’s 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 Grand Highlander and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Grand Highlander is much safer than the Pacifica:

	Grand Highlander	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	337/584 pounds	472/742 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Grand Highlander	Pacifica
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	42	72
Chest Movement	.3 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	64 lbs.	149 lbs.
Hip Force	199 lbs.	395 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	63	66
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	54 G’s
Hip Force	55 lbs.	764 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	48 G’s	50 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Pacifica:

	Grand Highlander	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	38	167
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.35 in	.94 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.26 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	5 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	112 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.67 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	446 lbs.	1450 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Chrysler doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Pacifica.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Toyota Grand Highlander’s reliability 27 points higher than the Pacifica and the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is rated 38 points higher than the Pacifica.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. With 13 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Chrysler.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 120 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is ranked 34th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Chrysler is ranked 22nd.

The Grand Highlander’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 75 more horsepower (362 vs. 287) and 138 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Grand Highlander Hybrid 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Grand Highlander	Pacifica
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.8 MPH	86.4 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Highlander gets better mileage than the Pacifica:

			MPG
Grand Highlander
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/34 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/32 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/27 hwy
		LE/XLE 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
		Limited/Platinum 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
Pacifica
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/28 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/25 hwy

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

The Grand Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Pacifica. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For more complete vehicle control the Grand Highlander offers optional Direct Shift, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. Direct Shift allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

The Grand Highlander 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 Pacifica doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Grand Highlander’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Pacifica:

	Grand Highlander	Pacifica
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	13 inches

The Grand Highlander stops shorter than the Pacifica:

	Grand Highlander	Pacifica
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Grand Highlander has larger tires than the Pacifica (255/65R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Grand Highlander LE/XLE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (255/65R18 vs. 245/50R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Grand Highlander LE/XLE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica.

The Grand Highlander has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Pacifica; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Grand Highlander has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Grand Highlander flat and controlled during cornering. The Pacifica 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Grand Highlander’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Pacifica’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Grand Highlander more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Grand Highlander’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Pacifica’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The Grand Highlander’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Pacifica AWD’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Grand Highlander has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (8 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Grand Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Grand Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Chrysler Pacifica.

The Grand Highlander has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear legroom than the Pacifica.

The Grand Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pacifica’s (5000 vs. 3600 pounds).

A Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is standard on the Grand Highlander, using the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control 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 LX/Select.

The Grand Highlander Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction 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.

If the windows are left open on the Grand Highlander the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Pacifica can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Grand Highlander’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Pacifica LX’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Grand Highlander Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Pacifica doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has standard front air conditioned seats and the Grand Highlander Platinum also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Pacifica doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander retains 64.27% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 45.33% resale value of the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $8608 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Grand Highlander as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chrysler Pacifica isn't recommended.

The Grand Highlander was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Pacifica hasn’t been picked since 2019.

The Toyota Grand Highlander outsold the Chrysler Pacifica by 24% during 2025.