2024 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2025 INFINITI QX80

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica maintained its contemporary appeal despite not undergoing frequent redesigns. Its smooth exterior styling, featuring 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, contributed to its clean look, with sliding-door tracks cleverly hidden above and below the door frame. The Pacifica was available in various trims, including Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle, with LED lighting standard across all models. The S Appearance and Road Tripper Packages added unique styling elements, while new paint options like Baltic Gray and Red Hot expanded the color palette. Inside, the Pacifica's dashboard boasted a minimalist, sculpted design with well-integrated controls. The Pinnacle trim featured luxurious brown Nappa leather upholstery, but some interior elements felt less premium, with plastic mingling with the contrast stitching. The rotary shift knob was a quality touch, though its proximity to the volume knob occasionally led to confusion.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 underwent its first redesign since 2017, growing slightly longer and wider while retaining its body-on-frame architecture. The new frame improved torsional and lateral stiffness significantly. The QX80's styling became more expressive, with a larger grille extending onto the hood and a distinctive stacked-headlight setup. The rear end retained its general shape but featured full-width LED taillights. The QX80 was available in Pure, Luxe, Sensory, and Autobiography trims, with varying wheel sizes and designs. The interior received a high-tech makeover, with a large horizontal display and 64-color ambient lighting. However, shiny black plastic trim detracted from the premium feel. Upholstery options ranged from leatherette to semi-aniline leather, depending on the trim level. The QX80's cabin offered ample space, with increased legroom in the first and third rows, making it a comfortable choice for passengers.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica was equipped with 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 Hybrid offered a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The V6 engine, known as the Pentastar, provided peppy acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,600 pounds. The chassis tuning prioritized comfort and stability, with the suspension effectively damping road imperfections. However, some weight transfer was noticeable during acceleration and deceleration. The Pacifica was quiet, comfortable, and refined compared to its rivals, though not quite a luxury minivan.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, replacing the previous 5.6-liter V8. The new engine produced 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, offering more power than the outgoing V8. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the old seven-speed, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The QX80 felt more energetic with the new engine, though active sound enhancement added an artificial noise during acceleration. The suspension system, with air suspension and adaptive damping, provided a compliant ride and adjustable ride height. Despite its reinforced frame, the QX80 didn't feel as solid as unibody vehicles, and handling was average for a large SUV.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica offered the innovative 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 second-row bucket seats and a 60/40 split-folding third-row bench. An eight-seat configuration was available with the Touring L trim but couldn't be combined with Stow 'n Go or AWD. Pinnacle and Limited models featured a power-folding third-row seat. The Pacifica provided competitive passenger space, with ample headroom and legroom in the first two rows. Cargo space was generous, with 32.3 cubic feet behind all three rows, 87.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 140.5 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Stow 'n Vac built-in vacuum cleaner was available on select trims.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80's redesign increased cargo space by 6%, 17%, and 28% behind the first, second, and third rows, respectively. This resulted in 22 cubic feet with all three rows in place, 59 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 101 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The QX80 offered a power liftgate and power-folding second- and third-row seats, with controls in the cargo area and on the infotainment touchscreens. Passenger space was generous, with increased legroom in the first and third rows. The QX80's towing capacity reached 8,500 pounds, surpassing most full-size luxury SUVs.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The instrument cluster included 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 allowed parents to monitor rear-seat occupants, though an intercom system was not available.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 featured dual 14.3-inch screens, one for the instrument cluster and the other for the infotainment touchscreen. A smaller 9-inch touchscreen handled climate control and other functions. The QX80 was the first Infiniti model with Google built-in apps, including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were supported. The infotainment system's graphics resembled those of Nissan vehicles, and the lower touchscreen required firm presses. All QX80 models had Klipsch sound systems, with higher trims featuring a 24-speaker version with Individual Audio tech. The QX80 offered a 360-degree camera system with multiple viewing angles and an Invisible Hood view.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica received a 2023 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, missing the highest Top Safety Pick+ due to low scores in certain crash tests and middling ratings for headlights and front crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded the Pacifica a five-star overall safety rating. 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 systems. The Emergency Vehicle Alert System was new for 2024.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80's crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and a trailer blind-spot warning system. The QX80 offered Nissan's ProPilot Assist highway-driving assistance system, with adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering. The more advanced ProPilot Assist 2.1 version allowed for hands-free driving and automated lane changes.