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In a world filled with midsize and full-size SUVs that can seat seven to eight people, it’s refreshing to see the traditional minivan holding sway. Before the advent of these two categories of SUVs, the minivan was the default transportation option for larger families. That’s why many manufacturers continue to make them. The 2023 Honda Odyssey and the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica are two popular options.
The 2023 Odyssey is based on the fifth-generation model. Debuting in 2018, it received a facelift in 2021 and is assembled at Honda's Alabama plant. The 2023 Pacifica was introduced in 2017 and received a facelift in 2021, and it's made at Chrysler's Windsor, Ontario, plant.
Let’s find out whether the 2023 Odyssey or the 2023 Pacifica is the best minivan you can buy. We'll compare their interior, performance, and safety characteristics in this Honda vs. Chrysler matchup.
As proper minivans, the 2023 Odyssey and 2023 Pacifica come with five doors and spacious cabins. The 2023 Odyssey can seat up to eight adults across its 163 cubic foot cabin. Meanwhile, the 2023 Pacifica’s capacity is limited to seven adults in its 159 cubic-foot cabin. The 2023 Odyssey also offers 33 cubic feet of cargo space, while the 2023 Pacifica makes do with 32 cubic feet.
The 2023 Odyssey and 2023 Pacifica offer dual-zone climate control with vents around the cabin and a separate rear climate zone for maximum passenger comfort. They also come with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ as standard. An 8-inch touch screen is present across all variants of the 2023 Odyssey, while the Pacifica has a larger 10.1-inch touch screen. However, reviewers have noted that the glossy coating on the Pacifica’s screen can make it harder to read under sunlight. The 2023 Odyssey also offers an optional rear entertainment system with support for streaming apps.
The 2023 Odyssey packs a 3.5-liter V6 with a healthy 280 horsepower, driving the front wheels through a class-leading ten-speed automatic transmission. Reviewers have praised the 2023 Odyssey for its performance, ride, and handling. Car and Driver timed it to sixty from rest in just 6.5 seconds, which is an impressive feat for a minivan.
The 2023 Pacifica offers a slightly larger 3.6-liter V6 that puts out 287 horsepower to the front wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. However, it’s got a kerb weight of nearly 5,000 pounds, which is almost 10% more than the 2023 Odyssey. Hence, as tested by Car and Driver, zero to 60 takes nearly 7.5 seconds. There’s also a Pacifica Hybrid which makes 260 horsepower courtesy of the same engine in a lower state of tune, plus two electric motors. It’s even slower, taking nearly 8 seconds to hit sixty from rest.
As you'd expect, the 2023 Odyssey and the 2023 Pacifica come with a high level of standard safety features. They've got at least eight airbags, stability control, child safety locks, daytime running lamps, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
If you’re in the market for the best minivan, the 2023 Odyssey is the obvious choice. While the 2023 Pacifica is an excellent vehicle in its own right, Honda's redesigned and re-engineered offering comprehensively beats it in nearly every metric. It's the smart choice, which is why you should swing by Bob Brady Honda in Decatur, IL, and take one for a test drive.
