2023 Honda Odyssey vs Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid - Which Minivan is Best for Your Family?

We compare two minivans with different powertrain approaches, the Honda Odyssey and the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid. While the Odyssey offers a little more space for child seats and your gear, the Chrysler Pacifica shows up with a fuel-saving technology that could save you money at the pump. Hear all our thoughts on these two family minivans in the video above.
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#minivan #comparison #vans #honda #chrysler

[@ScottMorgan-t8l]

I went deeply into reviewing both vans. I ended up buying the Pacifica, for about 7 hours. I had read about the recall where the van would lose power while driving and you would need to glide off to the side of the highway. It seemed to be a rare problem, but enough for a recall for the 2017-2023 models of the hybrid. Chrysler issued a "fix" in January 23 but the fix didn't save me from having it die three times on me while driving 75 mph driving from the out-of-state dealer back home. The "fix" just gave me a warning that popped up at the same time my car died. The dealer had a 5-day "no questions" return policy that they honored and I returned it. I loved driving the Pacifica and I loved it being a PHEV, but I couldn't risk being on the highway with my family and having that happen again. I now have a deposit down on an Odyssey EX-L.

[@carlhammill5774]

Thanks for update. In the Odyssey EX-L can you remove the 2nd row seats like you can in Pacifica? Thank you

[@ailavyou670]

We are looking to go back to Honda Odyssey as well. Not even a year and we had to go back to dealer with multitudes of issues. Yes the seats in Pacifica able to fold in, but we don’t normally use it unless big on random shopping. 3rd row can all go down so that still helps in space. Reliability of Honda is what we miss

[@ScottMorgan-t8l]

@@carlhammill5774 Sorry for the delay. I had not seen your comment. You probably already know by now but the second row of the Odyssey does not fold down like the Pacifica. However, you can remove the seats in the second row. The seats are heavy and it is a bit of a job to remove them but I have done it a few times. It takes a little less than 10 minutes. The third row does completely fold down. We have had our Odyssey for about six weeks and love it.

[@stefantakacs]

Something you didn't mention. The Chrysler has air vents up top. So on hot days the AC will cool from top down, which is better on hot days.

[@erniearruda8861]

Dad you are 100 percent right on mini vans .Been there done that got the mini van. Two in my life.Had a 2001 caravan for three years in my early child raising and a2012 grand caravan for eight years with 4 kids. Could of kept longer but got rear ended in a crash in 2018 and it was a right off. Replaced it with a used 2004 tahoe from a family member . Right now all my kids have there own vehicles.

[@paulravitsky8085]

My wife and I chose the Odyssey Elite over the Sienna due to the hybrid motor. Plus, the Odyssey Elite is cheaper than the top of the line Sienna and top of the line Pacifica, making it the best value.

[@mountainhobo]

The difference would have become more pronounced had you had a regular Chrysler Pacifica: (1) You can get AWD (2) The second row folds into the floor. In the Honda theoretically you can remove the second row seats but they are ridiculously heavy.

[@paulravitsky8085]

My wife and I own the Odyssey Elite. We love it. Odyssey has a higher resale value plus a better reliability record.

[@carlhammill5774]

Resale might be difficult for gas only vehicles in few years. Gov't is now offering instant $7,500 credits for EV & certain hybrid vehicles. You can view list of authorized vehicles here: fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax2023.shtml

[@Glokens]

I'm just waiting for the Pacifica Hellcat. Never late for soccer practise again!

[@R.Nelson]

Hey Howard!!! Remember the Ford Aerostar vans??? Good vans..

[@slowsleeper550]

Love the PHEV of the Pacifica but the constant recalls makes it a deal breaker. Hard to believe that it can be reliable with the 3-4 back to back recalls with no remedy for the latest one.

[@ashtonclark4039]

“Doesn’t really matter what’s going on in the front…” 😂😂😂 says no mom ever. Moms want to know are there enough cup holders? Is there somewhere to put my bag? Can I see my kids with a rear view camera? These are things most dads don’t think about, but 9/10 times mom is driving the kids around in the minivan.

[@kevinW826]

For my wife and I we are not having kids. But we do carry people and since we are moving closer to her family, who camps and does a lot of stuff like day trips, etc, a minivan might be the vehicle for us. But since they do camping off the beaten path, an suv might be the better option.

[@ColJonSquall1]

I mean, my family skipped the minivan phase, when I was a kid, we primarily had a coupe, some sedans, a station wagon, a jeep and some trucks. When my sister and I were grown up, we had our own vehicles to get around with, so my dad stuck with pickups. My dad works a lot of hours, so when I had after-school stuff, like Baseball, I'd have to walk down the street to the house of one of the other kids on my team, to get a lift to practice (as my mother doesn't drive).

[@the_jarmel]

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A BEAUTIFUL TUESDAY ✌️ LOVE THE CHANNEL...

[@danatkinson6698]

Anytime my kids ask if we're there yet I always say yes regardless of where we are or what we're doing.

[@jamespenner1412]

Got a 2020 pacifica awd launch edition and its been rock solid. Pacifica just has to come out with a awd plug in hybrid and it would blow them all out of the water. If you get the non hybrid pacifica it has alot more going for it then the honda. 4 seat stow n go, more towing better tech, and nicer interior.

[@L.L]

They do have plug in hybrid… since 2019 I think.. but they just call them hybrid.

[@ailavyou670]

Unfortunately we purchased a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Limited, we traded in our Honda Odyssey- in the past year we had to make complaints about it turning off on its own. It is not a hybrid. Dealership said there was no recall. On top of that less than a year we had to change out the tires, and now having other issues with rattling. We are currently looking into trading over back to Honda Odyssey - which is cheaper than what we got the Pacifica. Reliability of Honda is what we miss… We have a prior 2016 Honda Odyssey- then went Pacifica. The past year has been filled with regret 🥲

[@rightlanehog3151]

Truck Kings, The choice between Pacifica Hybrid and Odyssey is just too difficult. I will take the easy way out with an AWD Sienna. 😉

[@jamespenner1412]

The new awd Sienna is not mechanical awd, more a rear wheel assist and it has a very louder slower engine.

[@user-tz6rk4dy5s]

The Pacifica now has a AWD plug in hybrid option. I love our sienna AWD but I would love to see a plug in feature for it as well.

[@WEILMAN_11]

@@jamespenner1412 Do you own one ? Cause i do. Sienna ain’t slow, you have three drive modes Regular , Eco and Sport all you have to do is put that shit on Sport mode and you be smok’n Pacifica and Odyssey’s all day easy, As for the AWD system its rugged it can take an abuse going off road ,snow ,proof.. its all over KZbin.Engine noise i can live with it.

[@PEACE_4_U]

The sienna workmanship is mediocre. Moreover, their dealers are asking 7k+ mark up over MSRP. So, no, sienna is no where close with those key pointers…

[@stefantakacs]

​@user-tz6rk4dy5s sorry no, no AWD plug in hybrid. They most likely never will add this option.

[@TheAntiqBoutiq]

The Pacifica comes with a 12v in the very back where the storage is. It’s connected directly to the battery so doesn’t require the vehicle to be on to use it. The one in the front does. Also he didnpoint out the vacuum in the odyssey. It’s above I believe. With the middle row kids usually just climb in the second row and turn to walk to the back.

[@muzicaally7909]

I love his voice !!

[@danatkinson6698]

My wife would get 1,000 miles out of her pacifica hybrid before needing gas. We'd charge it in 2hrs and handle most everything we needed to do within 30miles

[@scaccima]

I’d go Honda all the way. I have a 2022 Odyssey and it’s fun to drive even though it’s a van. Also Honda has a much better track record for reliability overall and better resale value.

[@georgiaguardian4696]

Odyssey is like a “closed truck” super versatile spacious reliable and the best design as well.

[@Sultan-S241]

The best minivan you can buy is the Honda Odyssey. I've been driving this car for seven years, and it cost me nothing but fuel and oil .🇸🇦

[@jackdawson6340]

This is a wonderful video and extremely helpful. Thank you! With that said, you may want to edit/update the video with the stow and go 2nd row in the Pacifica, as well as the sideway sliding second row in the Odyssey. The differences between the two could definitely narrow down someone’s choice since it expands the Pacifica’s “cargo” storage area!

[@estherl8213]

The hybrid Pacifica’s do not have stow and go because of the battery packs-from what I know. Honda wins! 😊

[@marmighty17]

Loved the video. We have a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid limited s appearance in red just like the one you test drove. We have two kids under 6 and it works for our family. We have gone over 600 miles on one gas tank! We are looking at other options as our lease is coming to and end next year. I am all about the technology and want some more advancements for the driver.

[@gsdeng]

what's the cost of your lease?

[@BenReese]

That tow ability is huge though! If you don't own a truck and you're spending that much on a vehicle, it needs to be willing to be a truck when needed. You also missed the sliding second row, which I assume still exists in the 2023 Odyssey. We keep the middle seat out most of the time and slide the two captain chairs together so it's super easy for the kids to climb in the back. Some models also have a built in vacuum which is needed with kids. When I tested the big 3, the Odyssey had the best acceleration. If I have to drive a minivan, I at least wanna be able to pass a car or three on the highway 😉

[@dazednconfusedrn]

no honestly huge love to honda for how fast that MINIVAN is like it’s shocking

[@MWilk098]

@@dazednconfusedrn the Honda and the Chrysler use the same transmission and the Chrysler engine has better performance throughout the RPM range. You need to hit the gas pedal harder.

[@SergiuM42]

@@MWilk098what are you talking about? Honda and Chrysler do not share parts lol they certainly do not have the same transmission.

[@MWilk098]

@@SergiuM42 oh buddy, you have no idea. They both use the ZF 9 speed automatic transaxle.

[@jimmyamico4713]

I would definitely go with a Honda Odyssey. I have four girls, but those girls are female German shepherds. Their names are JAZZ, STARR, FREEDOM, & NAVY…. I called them my FANTASTIC 4… it’s just too difficult to get them up in my LEXUS SUV… because they weigh about 85 pounds each… anyway excellent video… Please let me know when you do the Honda Odyssey versus the Toyota sienna. I would really like to see that…..

[@johndavison4569]

Thank you for telling us the names of your dogs. What don't you like about the Chrysler Pacifica?

[@AlexA-ko8lu]

The Pacifica seemed to drive smoother and quieter in the video. What about the 360 surround camera view, and other safety features?

[@georgedoolittle9015]

Comeback Platform of the Calendar Year 2023 is the mini-van absolutely. Only thing keeping the Japanese Badges in the game given what Tesla is doing in particular with the Model X which is taking out *BOTH* the SUV and minivan 🚐 market but for the expense.

[@jessewintersteen4740]

Surprised you guys didn't test out the towing on these vehicles? Would be nice to know. 3500lbs is not to bad for a mini van.

[@TruckKing]

We agree - however neither had a factory hitch.

[@robertduklus6555]

3500 lb for a v6 van is a joke

[@yankeesusa1]

I would take a gas awd Pacifica with the stow and go and better Android Auto feature and better screens over the Odyssey anytime. But if you want better gas mileage the only choice is Sienna.

[@dcman4902]

The Honda having a timing belt still is the Achilles heel, specifically if you plan on keeping it for a long time, that’s an easy $1500 maintenance job every 60,000 thousand miles or so.. wish they would go with a chain, though people always bash Chrysler about there reliability, ya Chrysler has had a bad wrap with other vehicles but the only good thing they make is there vans, hints to why that’s the only thing they make now. Plus it has a chain.. I have owned 3 used Chrysler vans an every single one have been very reliable. Only ever replaced for a newer one. Last one I had 260k on the original everything an still going strong 😂. If you take care of your vehicle, they can last!.

[@kevinW826]

If it has the new 3.5 V6, it is a timing chain instead of the belt. It’s why I was staying away from the Pilot until the new one.

[@pashonic]

You ever worry about 6speed auto in older odyssey? I have one too with 71k miles. I'm crossed on keeping it. Especially if it needs new belt soon.

[@TruckKing]

Just turned over 100K KMs in my van. There's a technical service bulletin for the transmission that requires a fluid flush which I had performed around 90K out of caution. So far, no issues and no juddering or rough shifts to speak of.

[@ItsAlive111]

Did you ever drain and refill the transmission fluid? That’s a good idea to extend as possible the transmission life. At 71k miles it is not too late. At 100k miles it might be

[@pashonic]

@@ItsAlive111 I serviced tranny at 50k miles, after I became more informed about the tranny issues......will keep changing every 50k....

[@starkdog24]

Probably should recheck those numbers on your MSRP conversions!

[@poppyneese1811]

We bought a 22 Pacifica, on highway close to 30mpg, love the van, but I’d id noticed there was no spare or Jack in it I’d have never bought it, I’ll know next time!

[@imkriswithak1135]

I would go for the reliability of honda.

[@kagadaza07]

Excellent video! Thank you from Hawaii....

[@TruckKing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidthomas9267]

the Odyssey is on it's last year I heard?

[@0HOON0]

The new hybrid Toyota Sienna will likely use about the same amount of fuel as the Pacifica and spend less time in the shop.

[@carlhammill5774]

How are you charging the Pacifica if your residence is not close enough to where you park the vehicle?

[@liamrobinson2084]

A reliable minivan is an amazingly practical vehicle. They are big and heavy enough to do a ton of stuff, pretty good on gas, non-negliable towing, lots of storage, comfortable to drive, easy to park. I think these things are the used vehicle equivalent of the cheap used pickup of the 80s and 90s. They are also "uncool" enough that they are... Not affordable but not impossible to buy used. $60k for a minivan is insane though. If you have $60k to throw at a vehicle, is this the way to go?

[@georgiaguardian4696]

I’d love to have Honda design reliability power and a hybrid drivetrain with AWD!

[@uconnapharm]

How do you feel about reliability ? Which one gives more confidence towards 5-8 years ownership ?

[@areallytallguy]

Are you really even asking this question? You seriously thinks. Chrysler product is going to be as reliable as a Honda?

[@uconnapharm]

I have owned 6 new Toyotas and 2 new Hondas. I know these two brands are the most reliable brands in the world. I should have explained my question . A family member living in the Northern reaches of snow country in the U.S. needs to enter a 3 year lease and get it done before October. Where she lives , there are no Odysseys and no Siennas on dealers lots currently.

[@CraigSmith568]

Looked at a Pacifica that was converted by Braun for a wheelchair. I doubt that the hybrid will be an option with this conversion since they lower the floor. Curious how the reliability is on the Pacifica.

[@csmlouis]

I own a 21 Pacifica plugin hybrid and already has a recall concerning the hybrid system. When researching the issue, it is much more prevalent than just Stellantis Chrysler issue alone, all manufacturer that has a plug in model has a sub 10% hybrid failure rate and this include Toyota's PRIME trim. Pacifica does not have a electric heat pump coolant loop and needs to run the gas engine when outside temp is cold enough to cycle the coolant. Also, it will enter fuel refresh mode when the same tank of gas has been around over 90 days. I am mentioning all of these because that's what 99% of the Pacifica owner's review/forum posting is about. I am about 16 month of ownership, just breaking 10k miles, no issue/rattle/electronic gremlins.

[@CraigSmith568]

@@csmlouis Thanks for the feedback.

[@jamespenner1412]

My 2020 awd pacifica has been rock solid.

[@ItsAlive111]

No captions available? 😢

[@nemavezee]

I think you’re about $10,000 off on the pricing for the Pacifica in the US, just the calculation

[@raingame2018]

If you wanna go for long term van go for odyssey, If you wanna go for a long term yet fuel efficient van go for sienna hybrid, there's no mechanics would recommend pacifica cause of the problems they can't fix for years base on most mechanics

[@arena_rock_man9030]

I'm not sure why you compared a hybrid to a gasser. I think the gas Pacifica model might have been a better comparison with the Odyssey.

[@robertduklus6555]

hond canada is mental with the pricing

[@Oscardawg]

Question - How to get in third row with both second row seats installed with car seats for these cars? Thanks.

[@MWilk098]

In the odyssey? Good luck. In the Chrysler, remove one of the middle row seats and leave it in the garage.

[@estherl8213]

In the odyssey, you slide either left or right seat. The two seats share a track. It’s fairly easy and the versatility of the odyssey is endless. You could also very easily do the car seat friendly tilt which works when you have a forward facing seat installed.

[@John-209]

The Chrysler is a better vehicle, but at least here in the states, Honda has a reputation for being very dependable strong cars, and Chrysler’s reputation is the opposite, unfortunately

[@justinbrooks5441]

Honda hands down

[@russellsmith8444]

As long as you have lithium-ion batteries, no way. All of these were recalled for fire concerns.

[@tbone9405]

Where is the Sienna?

[@alexmassengale433]

Everyone I know who has bought the Pacifica plug-in has had a bad reliability experience. In theory it is the perfect car but not if the quality isn't there.

[@شهاباحمد-و1ب2ر]

Pacific car best

[@billseibert9289]

You forgot to mention the tax credit to the United States that you get with the Pacifica hybrid. Currently it’s $7500 federal and depending on what state like in California where I live it’s an extra $2500.

[@jackdawson6340]

Good call Bill. The 7500 credit for the EV Pacifica puts it in Odyssey territory for price. Makes the decision much more difficult!

[@andrewdero6271]

Thats only for plug ins vehicle not hybrid

[@rivcogent]

@@andrewdero6271the Pacifica hybrid is a plug in vehicle

[@GodsOath_com]

In my day, the best a kid could hope for was not getting bashed by dad.

[@supertarzan12]

Honda will last twice the lifespan of this Chrysler junk

[@Thankyou_3]

Wow, one garbage from a Japanese company and another garbage from North America. Both have share of their problems…from transmissions to engine issues. Toyota dominated the minivan market for decades. You can still find those Toyota Previa on the road with very high mileage.