2026 Pacifica, Grand Cherokee, or Durango: A Side-by-Side Guide for Maple Ridge Families

Three vehicles, one dealership, and a question a lot of BC families wrestle with: do you go with a minivan that hauls everything, a two-row SUV with genuine off-road hardware, or a three-row SUV that tows as hard as it drives? The 2026 Chrysler Pacifica, 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2026 Dodge Durango are all strong options -- but they are built around very different priorities, and the right pick depends entirely on what you need the vehicle to do.

This comparison covers the numbers that drive most buying decisions: space, power, towing, drivetrain, and what each platform does better than the other two. All three are available now at Maple Ridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

At a Glance

The Pacifica: Built Around Passengers and Cargo

The 2026 Chrysler Pacifica does one thing better than any SUV in this comparison -- it carries people and their things in the most organized, practical way. With 3,979 L of maximum cargo volume, the Pacifica's sliding doors and flat-loading floor create a genuinely usable interior that conventional SUV cargo areas cannot match for family hauling.

The 3.6-litre V-6 producing 287 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque handles the highway runs on Highway 7 and the Sea-to-Sky corridor with ease. Towing capacity sits at 1,633 kg (3,600 lbs) -- enough for a small utility trailer, a couple of sea-doos, or a loaded cargo trailer. The 9-speed automatic and standard front-wheel drive cover everyday use, with AWD available on Select AWD, Limited AWD, and Pinnacle AWD trims.

The Pacifica's case is straightforward: if seven seats, a massive interior, and the easiest family loading experience are the priority, the Pacifica wins this comparison.

• 3.6L Pentastar V-6: 287 hp / 262 lb-ft
• Max cargo: 3,979 L
• Towing: 1,633 kg (3,600 lbs)
• Available AWD on Select AWD, Limited AWD, Pinnacle AWD trims

The Grand Cherokee: The Capability Pick

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee brings multiple powertrain paths and genuine off-road architecture that neither the Pacifica nor the Durango can replicate. The base Laredo runs the 3.6-litre V-6 at 293 hp and 260 lb-ft. Step to Laredo Altitude and above and the 2.0-litre Hurricane 4 Turbo delivers 324 hp and 332 lb-ft using Turbulent Jet Ignition technology -- the first high-volume application of that combustion system in production.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe adds a plug-in hybrid system with 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of combined output and up to 2,722 kg (6,000 lbs) of towing capacity. The ICE models tow up to 2,812 kg (6,200 lbs).

What the Grand Cherokee brings that neither the Pacifica nor Durango offers is dedicated Jeep 4x4 architecture: the available Quadra-Trac II system with an optional Quadra-Drive II electronic limited slip differential, and the Trailhawk's purpose-built off-road hardware. Selec-Terrain mode selection, 214 mm of ground clearance, and verified approach and departure geometry round out the off-road story.

The Grand Cherokee is a two-row, five-passenger vehicle -- buyers who need a third row should look at the Grand Cherokee L or the Durango.

• Hurricane 4 Turbo: 324 hp / 332 lb-ft (Laredo Altitude and above)
• 4xe combined: 375 hp / 470 lb-ft
• Towing: up to 2,812 kg (6,200 lbs) ICE; 2,722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4xe
• Cargo behind 2nd row: 1,067.5 L; seats folded: 2,004.8 L

The Durango: Performance and Three Rows Together

The 2026 Dodge Durango does something neither the Pacifica nor the Grand Cherokee does: it pairs three-row seating with a genuine V-8 engine option and the highest towing ceiling of the three. The GT V-6 at 295 hp and 260 lb-ft handles everyday duty and tows 2,812 kg (6,200 lbs). The GT HEMI V-8's 5.7-litre engine adds 360 hp and 390 lb-ft and raises towing to 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs). The SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V-8 produces 710 hp, 645 lb-ft, and a towing capacity of 3,946 kg (8,700 lbs) -- the highest tow rating in this comparison.

AWD is standard across every Durango trim. Cargo volume sits at 2,409.8 L across the lineup. With seven-passenger seating (GT and SXT trims), the Durango carries the same number of people as the Pacifica while also offering a performance powertrain path unavailable in either the Pacifica or the standard Grand Cherokee.

• GT V-6: 295 hp / 260 lb-ft; towing 2,812 kg (6,200 lbs)
• GT HEMI V-8: 360 hp / 390 lb-ft; towing 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs)
• SRT Hellcat: 710 hp / 645 lb-ft; towing 3,946 kg (8,700 lbs)
• Standard AWD all trims; 7-seat configuration on GT/SXT

Which One Is Right for You?

These three vehicles serve different buyers well, and the decision usually comes down to two or three key factors:

Choose the Pacifica if maximizing interior space and passenger comfort are your first and second priorities. No SUV in this comparison moves people and gear as efficiently. The sliding doors and flat cargo floor make it the practical pick for families in Maple Ridge doing school runs, hockey practice circuits, and weekend road trips along the Lougheed Highway.

Choose the Grand Cherokee if off-road capability, the plug-in hybrid option, or a refined two-row SUV experience matters most. The Hurricane 4 Turbo powertrain and 4xe PHEV set the Grand Cherokee apart on the technology side, while the Jeep 4x4 platform covers terrain that neither the Pacifica nor the Durango is engineered for.

Choose the Durango if you need three rows, high towing capacity, and the option to move up to a V-8. The Durango is the only three-row SUV in this group with V-8 power, and the SRT Hellcat version is the highest-performing vehicle here in every measurable output category.

Come See All Three at Maple Ridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge

The Pacifica, Grand Cherokee, and Durango are all available now at Maple Ridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Walk through each cabin side by side, talk through your priorities with our product team, and arrange a test drive in the one that fits your life best.