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- Highs Clever Stow 'n Go seating system, comfortable ride, plenty of room for people and stuff.
- Lows A few cheap interior materials, acceleration lags behind some rivals, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto not available.
- Verdict The Pacifica's smooth ride, cavernous interior, and wealth of available features make it a top choice among minivans.
Overview
There are few vehicles as ingeniously helpful to parents as a minivan. Sure, they’ve lost some luster since buyers started gravitating to crossovers, but the stylish Chrysler Pacifica goes a long way toward dispelling the van’s stodgy image. Innovative disappearing seats, class-leading infotainment, and an available plug-in hybrid powertrain set it apart from its rivals. The Pacifica is ideal for families—or for anyone wanting a cavernous, comfortable, and highly capable conveyance—which is why it earned a 10Best nod for 2017.
What's New for 2017?
The Pacifica is an all-new model this year, replacing the Chrysler Town & Country. The 3.6-liter V-6 engine has been tweaked for more power and better fuel economy. In addition to a more stylish appearance inside and out, a host of available convenience and safety features also join the party, including hands-free power-sliding side doors and tailgate, a triple-pane sunroof, a rear-seat entertainment system with two 10-inch touchscreens, and a built-in vacuum cleaner.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- LX: $30,090
- Touring: $32,090
- Limited: $43,990
- Hybrid: $43,090
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Pacifica’s 3.6-liter V-6 makes 287 horsepower and drives the front wheels through an excellent nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s not the quickest minivan we’ve tested, but the Pacifica is far from sluggish. It feels plenty peppy around town and holds its own during highway merging and passing. The Pacifica hybrid pairs a modified version of the 3.6-liter V-6 with a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery and two electric motors, a combination good for a combined output of 260 horsepower. During our testing, we found the hybrid powertrain to be fuel efficient and capable of tackling city streets, highway on-ramps, and even steep mountain passes without feeling overtaxed. The battery can be charged in about two hours with a 240-volt connection or 14 hours from a 120-volt household outlet. The Pacifica is easy to maneuver for its size, rides comfortably, handles well, and is an effortless highway cruiser—hushed, stable, and comfortable on the long hauls.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Airy, spacious, and packed with cubbies, cupholders, slide-out bins, and connectivity, the Pacifica is big on the features that minivan buyers love. Fit, finish, and materials are several steps above the outgoing Town & Country, but a few down-market plastic pieces lurk inside the cabin. You’ll find plenty of USB ports and power outlets, along with optional extras such as heated second-row seats and dual 10-inch touchscreens mounted on the rear of the front seatbacks. A built-in vacuum cleaner is standard on Limited models, but buyers of lesser trims will have to make do with their own Shop-Vac. The Pacifica is the vehicular equivalent of the Swiss Army knife, with all the storage compartments and cargo room you could hope for, as well as second- and third-row seats that disappear into the floor in seconds to convert the Pacifica from a people bus to a cavernous cargo van.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Chrysler’s Uconnect infotainment system remains one of our favorites, with knobs and buttons for audio controls. In addition to the system’s intuitive software and general excellence in usability, it’s highly responsive to inputs. LX and Touring trims come with a 5.0-inch touchscreen, but a larger, 8.4-inch unit is standard on the top trim levels and optional on others. Hybrid models get the 8.4-inch screen as standard. The Pacifica boasts up to six USB ports, two 12-volt outlets, and one auxiliary input. Uconnect’s sole, but not insignificant, drawback is its lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
For more information about the Chrysler Pacifica’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.
