2024 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

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 designs of competitors like the Toyota Sienna. Chrysler's decision to avoid dressing up the Pacifica like an SUV, as seen with the Kia Carnival, resulted in a clean look, further enhanced by hidden sliding-door tracks. The Pacifica was available in various trims, including Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle, with options for LED lighting and wheel sizes up to 20 inches. The interior of the Pacifica was distinctive, featuring a minimalist dashboard with well-integrated controls. The Pinnacle trim boasted luxurious touches like brown Nappa leather upholstery and quilted contrast stitching, although some interior elements felt less upscale.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 exuded a luxury SUV vibe with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. The sculptural sheet metal created a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, contributing to its athletic appearance. Inside, the CX-90's interior was elegantly rendered with polished metallic trim and Nappa leather, though some materials reflected its competitive pricing. However, the ergonomics left room for improvement, with a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls. Despite these design-related complaints, the CX-90's overall sophistication and premium feel set it apart from most midsize three-row crossover SUVs.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, while all-wheel drive was available on higher trims. The Pacifica's V6 engine, known as the Pentastar, had a long history in the Stellantis lineup and provided peppy acceleration with a towing capacity of 3,600 pounds. The chassis tuning prioritized comfort and stability, making it a quiet and refined minivan compared to rivals like Honda, Kia, and Toyota.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine, generating 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque in the 3.3 Turbo models. The 3.3 Turbo S variant offered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The CX-90's AWD system was designed for better driving dynamics, with modes for Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance. However, the drivetrain lacked refinement, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior, especially when cold. Despite these issues, the CX-90 provided impressive ride and handling, with a firm suspension that communicated road conditions effectively.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica offered ingenious Stow ‘n Go seating, allowing second-row seats to fold flat into the floor, creating large in-floor storage bins. The Pacifica accommodated seven seats with standard second-row bucket seats and a 60/40 split-folding third-row bench seat. An eight-seat configuration was available with the Touring L trim but couldn't be combined with Stow ‘n Go or AWD. The Pacifica's passenger space compared favorably to other minivans, with ample headroom and legroom. Non-hybrid models 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 Stow ‘n Vac built-in vacuum cleaner was available on certain trims.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel in the 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim. However, the three-zone climate control system struggled to cool the cabin efficiently. The panoramic sunroof provided natural light, and second-row passengers enjoyed comfortable seating with height-adjustable armrests and window shades. The CX-90's third row was best suited for children, with limited space for adults on longer trips. Cargo space behind the third row measured 14.9 cubic feet, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the second-row seats flattened, which was small for the segment.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The instrument cluster featured analog gauges with a 7-inch digital display. The Pacifica offered up to 12 USB-C ports, built-in navigation, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Uconnect Theater system provided rear-seat entertainment with dual 10.1-inch touchscreens, wireless headphones, and Amazon Fire TV connectivity. The FamCam interior camera allowed parents to monitor rear-seat occupants.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. While the infotainment screen was touch-sensitive for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the native Mazda Connect platform required using a knob and buttons on the center console. The voice recognition system was subpar, but Mazda planned to introduce a new Google Built-in infotainment system in future models. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display with helpful data. The blind-spot monitoring system added an extra layer of safety, though the audible warning systems could be overwhelming.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in frontal and side crash tests. It was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though it missed the highest award due to low scores in certain crash tests. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear park assist. Optional features included a 360-degree camera system and park assist.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings in all NHTSA crash tests for the PHEV model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Higher trim levels added steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, front cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Cruising and Traffic Support system provided hands-on driving aid, though it had some limitations in certain conditions.