Chrysler Pacifica vs Chevrolet Suburban

The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban maintained its iconic status with subtle cosmetic updates, including a new Polar White Tricoat paint option and 22-inch bright split-spoke wheels. The RST Dark Essentials Package added a more aggressive look with 24-inch black wheels and black accents. Despite these changes, the Suburban's driving experience remained unchanged, offering a familiar feel for returning customers. The LS trim, which we tested, featured a restrained exterior with body-color bumpers and chrome trim, while higher trims like the RST and Z71 leaned into sportier and off-road aesthetics, respectively. The Suburban's massive size was both a challenge and an advantage, particularly in urban settings like Boston, where maneuvering through tight spaces required extra attention. However, on open roads, the Suburban's size was less of a hindrance, providing a comfortable and spacious ride.

In contrast, the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica received a more polarizing facelift, with a lit-up logo and sharper lighting signature on trims above the base LX. While the new badge was appreciated, the overall execution felt like a step down from the previous design. The base LX retained a more reserved look, appealing to styling purists. The Pacifica's side profile remained unchanged, and its rear design was praised for its simplicity and modernity. Inside, the Pacifica continued to offer a comfortable cabin with thoughtful storage solutions, although the use of plastic materials below hip level detracted from the overall refinement. The Pacifica's interior was practical, with features like Stow 'n Go seating providing flexibility for families needing to switch between passenger and cargo configurations.

The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban offered a robust performance with its standard 5.3-liter V8 engine producing 355 horsepower, while an optional 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 horsepower. A 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine provided up to 27 mpg on the highway, making it an ideal choice for long-distance travelers. The Suburban's towing capacity reached up to 8,400 pounds with the Max Towing Package, catering to those needing to haul trailers or boats. The 10-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth gear shifts, although occasional gear indecision was noted on steep inclines. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available on most trims, enhancing the Suburban's versatility. Despite its size, the Suburban handled well on highways, offering a composed ride, although the absence of Magnetic Ride Control in the LS trim was noticeable.

The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica featured a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the engine provided ample power for the segment, its exhaust note was less refined, and the cabin insulation against noise and vibration was lacking. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims, offering a unique combination of V6 power and AWD in the minivan segment. The Pacifica handled corners with composure, but its ride quality on rough pavement needed improvement. The discontinuation of the plug-in hybrid option left the V6 as the sole powertrain, with EPA estimates of 19 city, 28 highway, and 22 combined for FWD models. Real-world fuel economy fell short of these figures, highlighting the Pacifica's struggle to compete with hybrid minivans on efficiency.

The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, offering 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 144.5 cubic feet with all seats down. This made it a top choice for those prioritizing cargo capacity. The Suburban could seat up to nine passengers with a front bench seat option, while captain's chairs in the second row enhanced comfort and accessibility to the third row. The Suburban's cargo area featured tie-down anchors, a low load floor, and a power-folding third row on higher trims, making it practical for various needs.

The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, with a deep, tub-like design accommodating strollers and luggage effectively. The Pacifica's standout feature was its Stow 'n Go seating, allowing the second-row seats to fold flat into the floor without removal, providing over 140 cubic feet of cargo space. While the Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival offered more total cargo volume, they required physical removal of middle-row seats. The Pacifica's sliding side doors and thoughtful storage solutions, including a ventilated wireless charging pad and multiple storage compartments, added to its practicality for families.

The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Google Built-In for seamless integration. An 11-inch driver information display and an available head-up display provided additional information. While adaptive cruise control was standard, Super Cruise was reserved for higher trims, limiting access to GM's hands-free driving system. The steering wheel had more controls than previous models, but most drivers adapted quickly. An available Bose stereo on higher trims offered an audio upgrade, though it lagged behind some competitors' premium systems.

The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica retained analog gauges, which felt outdated compared to rivals with digital displays. The 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5 was standard, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the graphics lacked the polish expected in a 2027 vehicle. The blind-spot camera system, activated by the turn signal, provided a live view on the center screen, enhancing safety but requiring drivers to plan turns ahead. Physical climate controls were user-friendly, with heated seats standard and ventilated seats available on higher trims.

The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not published updated crash-test results. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian and bicycle detection, a surround-view camera system, and trailer sway control. The availability of Super Cruise varied by trim, requiring careful consideration by shoppers.

The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica came with standard safety features like full-speed forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. The optional Enhanced Safety Sphere Package added a blind-spot camera and front camera, enhancing visibility. The NHTSA awarded the Pacifica five stars in 2026, but the IIHS ratings were mixed, with a Marginal score in the moderate-overlap front test. Despite this, no minivan outperformed the Pacifica in that test, and the Honda Odyssey fared worse.