For buyers in the market for ultimate practicality, it's still hard to beat a minivan. Modern minivans offer a winning combination of seats, space, and tech features to make hauling a large family as straightforward as possible. Two vans on sale at the moment stand out above the rest as particularly great all-around packages: the Toyota Sienna and the Chrysler Pacifica. They've both been bestsellers in the segment for years thanks to their competent handling and versatile cabins.

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But, which one has the edge? To decide, let's take a look at ten of the most common comparisons that buyers often make. A top-tier minivan has to offer a great experience for both driver and passengers and be reasonably priced to run as well. As expected, both the Sienna and the Pacifica are strong contenders, but let's break things down to really evaluate which one comes out on top.

10 Performance

Chrysler Pacifica
Via Stellantis Media

Given that the average minivan is likely to drive well over a hundred thousand miles in its lifetime, its handling and performance will make a big difference to the driver. Traditionally, minivans have been seen as lumbering vehicles with little-to-no driving dynamics, but with the Pacifica and Sienna, that's no longer the case.

Toyota Sienna
Via Toyota Newsroom

MotorTrend tested the 2021 Sienna and found it to pull 0-60 in a perfectly reasonable 7.9 seconds, whereas the Pacifica takes 7.3 seconds. This will of course vary depending on the engine a buyer specs, but it seems fair to say that the two are roughly on par in this respect. Handling-wise, both vehicles are reported to be comfortable and competent, although never exciting.

9 Looks

Chrysler Pacifica
Via Stellantis Media

The looks of a van will always be a subjective matter, and it seems Toyota and Chrysler have gone down different paths for their 2021 offerings. The Chrysler is quite streamlined, with an anonymous design that'll blend in with every other vehicle on the road. It's not bad looking by any means, but some might say it looks boring even for a minivan.

Toyota Sienna
Via Toyota Newsroom

In comparison, Toyota has tried to add some design flair into the 2021 Sienna, with a huge front grille and a jagged taillight design that's been seen on other recent Toyota models. It's still not exactly a wild look, but it does give the Sienna an edge over the very forgettable Pacifica.

8 Space

Chrysler Pacifica
Via Stellantis Media

As most buyers would expect, both minivans are supremely practical and offer a variety of cabin arrangements and layouts. One key difference between the two is that the second-row seats in the Sienna aren't removable, whereas they are in the Pacifica.

2022 Toyota Sienna
Via Toyota Newsroom

The seats in the Sienna can still slide forward or back 25 inches to give either maximum legroom or maximum cargo space, but it's still a slightly less customizable arrangement. Just on that factor alone, the win for the space category has to go to the Pacifica.

7 Interior Quality

Chrysler Pacifica
Via Stellantis Media

The interior of a good minivan has to be both comfortable and hard-wearing, and that's a difficult task for manufacturers to achieve. In order to ensure the cabin's longevity, many manufacturers opt for cheap but durable hard plastic. It might last a long time, but having plastic bits in the interior can really cheapen the look and feel of the inside.

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Toyota Sienna
Via Toyota Newsroom

Unfortunately, Chrysler fell into this trap with the Pacifica. Even higher-spec models still feature the occasional bit of cheap plastic, whereas the Sienna feels more premium. The Sienna also benefits from a complete interior redesign for 2021, which makes the van feel more like an SUV inside.

6 Price

Chrysler Pacifica
Via Stellantis Media

Both the Sienna and the Pacifica have a similar range of trims, and they sit at very similar price points too. The Pacifica's cheapest trim, the Touring, costs $37,315, while a top-spec Hybrid Pinnacle trim will cost $55,045. The Sienna starts slightly cheaper at $35,635 for the LE trim and rises to $51,075 for a Platinum trim.

Toyota Sienna
Via Toyota Newsroom

Really, there's nothing to choose from between the lower trims of the two models. The Sienna costs slightly less when it's fully specced but other than that it's difficult to pick a winner between the two vans. Both offer great value for the price, especially when compared to an equivalent-sized SUV.

5 Fuel Efficiency

Chrysler Pacifica
Via Stellantis Media

The fuel efficiency of a van will make a big difference to its long-term running costs, especially given the high mileage that the average minivan driver will cover every year. Officially, both the Chrysler and the Toyota are neck and neck, claiming 36 mpg combined.

Toyota Sienna
Via Toyota Newsroom

However, real-world testing by Car and Driver suggested that it's actually the Chrysler that has the edge here. In their tests, they reported 29 mpg with the Sienna, but a class-leading 31 mpg with the Pacifica. The Pacifica is also able to drive around 30 miles on electric power alone thanks to its hybrid system, which makes it the clear winner in this category.

4 Towing Capacity

Chrysler Pacifica
Via Stellantis Media

It might not be the first thing on every minivan buyer's mind, but a decent towing capacity can add an extra layer of versatility to a vehicle. Both the Sienna and the Pacifica are again similar in their capabilities here, but it's the Pacifica that's slightly better.

Toyota Sienna
Via Toyota Newsroom

The Sienna is rated at 3,500 lbs, which is very reasonable for the segment. But, the Pacifica can tow 100 lbs more, with a rating of 3,600 lbs. It's not a huge improvement but it might make all the difference when it comes to loading up the luggage.

3 Tech Features

Chrysler Pacifica
Via Stellantis Media

As would be expected of a modern van, both the Pacifica and the Sienna offer the usual suite of connectivity features. There's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa connectivity, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. That's all controlled by a 9" screen in the Sienna, and a 10.1" screen in the Pacifica.

Toyota Sienna
Via Toyota Newsroom

The Toyota offers a little extra in the way of features, with a SiriusXM satellite radio as standard and a 12-speaker JBL audio system available on higher trims. The Pacifica offers better device charging though, as it features USB-C ports that allow for the fast charging of phones and laptops.

2 Reliability

Chrysler Pacifica
Via Stellantis Media

The reliability of any new model is very tricky to predict, but the performance of older generations is a useful indicator. In the case of these two vans, it seems they're both generally reliable, although surprisingly neither have received top ratings in leading reliability surveys.

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Toyota Sienna
Via Toyota Newsroom

Even so, these are vehicles built for sustained use, and it's fair to assume that both will be durable and reliable if they're maintained regularly. Calculations from Edmunds suggest that the Sienna might be slightly more expensive to maintain than the Pacifica, so that's a factor worth considering for buyers on a stricter budget.

1 Ease Of Ownership

Chrysler Pacifica
Via Stellantis Media

Given how popular both Chrysler and Toyota are as brands, owning either of the two vans is likely to be one of the most hassle-free ownership experiences of any new car. Parts should be very easy to come by, and both models provide comprehensive warranties for the first few years of ownership.

Toyota Sienna
Via Toyota Newsroom

Overall then, it seems in 2021 the competition between the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica is tighter than ever. There are a few key differences that separate the two minivans, but both have some minor shortcomings too. Either van is a great choice, and will likely be a reliable and comfortable vehicle for as long as its owners need it to be.