Jones Ford Verde Valley Compares 2017 Ford Flex VS 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Near Verde Valley, AZ

The middle row seatbelts optional on the Flex inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The Pacifica doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The Flex offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Pacifica doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Flex and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Flex’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Pacifica runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 66 percent more Ford dealers than there are Chrysler dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Flex’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2016 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 11th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

The Flex’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 27 more horsepower (287 vs. 260) than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid. The Flex Limited’s optional 3.5 turbo V6 produces 78 more horsepower (365 vs. 287) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Flex Limited 3.5 turbo V6 is faster than the Chrysler Pacifica V6:

The Flex has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.6 vs. 17 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Flex’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Pacifica are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Flex’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (255/45R20 vs. 245/50R20).

The Flex SEL’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pacifica’s standard 65 series tires. The Flex’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Pacifica Limited’s optional 50 series tires.

The Flex has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Flex flat and controlled during cornering. The Pacifica’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Flex has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more rear headroom and 5.3 inches more rear legroom than the Pacifica.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Flex’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Pacifica doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Flex’s exterior PIN entry system. The Pacifica doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Flex SE/SEL’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Pacifica’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Flex has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The automatic headlight on/off feature is not available on the Pacifica LX.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Flex, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Flex is ranked first in its class and received the 2015 “Total Quality Award.” The Pacifica is not ranked.

The Flex was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 2 of the last 8 years. The Pacifica has never been an “All Star.”