2024 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica maintained its contemporary appeal despite not undergoing frequent redesigns. Its smooth exterior styling, with a modest grille, offered a refreshing alternative to the flashier Toyota Sienna and the SUV-like Kia Carnival. The Pacifica's design cleverly concealed sliding-door tracks, providing a clean look without the need for additional styling features. Available in various trims, including the base Touring and the luxurious Pinnacle, the Pacifica featured standard LED lighting and optional 20-inch wheels. The interior boasted a minimalist dashboard with a sculpted look, integrating controls seamlessly. The Pinnacle trim showcased luxurious touches like brown Nappa leather upholstery, though some interior elements felt less upscale.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, encountered during a rental experience in Hawaii, presented a rugged and utilitarian design. The black-on-black color scheme was less than ideal for the tropical climate, but the Wrangler's appeal lay in its capability and iconic design. Offered in various trims, including the powerful Rubicon 392, the Wrangler catered to off-road enthusiasts. The Sport S model featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, providing adequate power for island driving. Despite its nearly $50,000 price tag, the Wrangler's interior emphasized function over form, with a focus on durability and practicality. Its design evoked themes of American freedom, rooted in its military vehicle heritage.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica was equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The Pacifica's V6 engine, known as the Pentastar, had a long history within the Stellantis lineup, providing peppy acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,600 pounds. The minivan's chassis tuning prioritized comfort and stability, offering a smooth ride with minimal body motion. While not a luxury vehicle, the Pacifica was quiet, comfortable, and refined compared to its competitors.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering a lively feel at higher elevations and slightly better fuel efficiency. During a week-long evaluation in Hawaii, the Wrangler achieved an average fuel economy of 19.2 mpg. Its standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and off-road capabilities made it well-suited for the island's terrain. However, the Wrangler's ride was rough, and its handling traits were less refined, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica featured the innovative Stow ‘n Go seating system, allowing second-row seats to fold flat into the floor, creating additional storage space. The minivan offered seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the configuration, with power-folding third-row seats available on higher trims. Passenger space was competitive, with ample headroom and legroom in the first two rows. The Pacifica provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 140.5 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A built-in vacuum cleaner was available on select trims, enhancing convenience.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The Sport S trim featured comfortable front seats with cloth upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. While the Wrangler accommodated five passengers, four were more comfortable, with limited rear-seat legroom. Storage space was minimal, with small bins and nets for stashing items. The cargo area offered 31.7 cubic feet of space, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Accessing the cargo area required opening the tailgate and lifting the rear window, which could be cumbersome in tight spaces.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, though a shortcut for the 360-degree camera view would have been appreciated. The Pacifica also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV connectivity and a FamCam interior camera for monitoring rear-seat passengers.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio preparation. The system was easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Sport S trim included a 7-inch digital display between analog gauges, providing access to various information. Optional features included a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, navigation, and Jeep Connect services, offering off-road navigation capabilities and a Vehicle Finder feature.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included a 360-degree camera system and park assist.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags as standard equipment for the front and rear seats. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the Wrangler's side-impact protection as Good, but the small overlap frontal-impact test resulted in a Marginal rating.