2019 Chrysler Pacifica

Overview

Better than the average crossover in a number of measurable ways—cargo capacity, passenger space, fuel economy, the list goes on—the minivan is a staple of American culture. And no minivan does it better than the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. It has aced many of our tests, is competitive with its rivals in the rest, and, thanks to its quick-change interior, sails through everyday life so effortlessly it might as well wear tights and a cape. Second- and third-row disappearing seats, an optional plug-in hybrid powertrain, and an unbeatable infotainment system separate it from the herd. The Chrysler Pacifica is such a well-rounded vehicle that we've named it to our 10Best Trucks and SUVs list three years in a row and even enjoyed one for a 40,000-mile long-term test.

What's New for 2019?

A smattering of minor equipment changes hit nearly every 2019 Pacifica and 2019 Pacifica hybrid trim level for 2019, including the S Appearance package's availability spreading to every hybrid, a few new color choices, and more optional extras for lower-grade models. Starting in 2020, the Pacifica's two lowest trim levels—L and LX—will be spun off and renamed the Chrysler Voyager, a move we suspect will also be accompanied by a slight price decrease for the value models.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We'd opt for the midrange Touring L trim, which is priced at $37,690 and includes the features most buyers will want. Among those are power-operated sliding side doors and liftgate, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors, and three-zone automatic climate control. We'd recommend the premium audio package, which adds a 13-speaker, 506-watt Alpine stereo system and a third-row USB charge port. It also upgrades the standard 5.0-inch infotainment touchscreen to a larger 8.4-inch unit that makes operating the system easier while on the go.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Smooth gas powertrain, hybrid offers limited electric-only capability, both powertrains are efficient.
Dislikes: The hybrid isn't as smooth as the gas setup.

It's not the quickest minivan we've tested, but the Pacifica is far from sluggish (it reaches 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, about mid-pack) and feels plenty peppy around town. In non-hybrid guise, it packs a 287-hp 3.6-liter V-6 and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pacifica hybrid makes less total horsepower (only 260 ponies) between its 3.6-liter V-6 and two electric motors backed up by a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery but feels similarly sprightly in the real world. In our testing, however, it trailed the gas-powered model to 60 mph by 0.5 second.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

In addition to being space efficient, a minivan should also be fuel efficient. The Pacifica Limited we tested delivered an impressive 31 mpg on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy loop, which is tops for minivans. According to the EPA, the Pacifica hybrid can travel up to 33 miles on electric power and is rated at 84 MPGe combined. Around town, we were easily able to match the EPA's 33-mile estimate. On the highway, the Pacifica hybrid managed 23.4 miles of electric-only driving before the gasoline engine kicked on.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Folding Stow 'n Go seats' versatility, easy-to-use infotainment system.
Dislikes: Stow 'n Go seats aren't comfortable, hybrid lacks Stow 'n Go underfloor storage.

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 and the Dodge Grand Caravan, but a few downmarket plastic pieces lurk inside the cabin. Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system remains one of our favorites, with knobs and buttons for audio controls rather than finicky touch-sensitive controls. In addition to the Uconnect system's intuitive software and general excellence in usability, it's highly responsive to inputs. For 2018 it gained Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a faster processor, and swapped its onboard 3G data connection for 4G LTE.

The Pacifica's standard Stow 'n Go seats offer less padding than those in its rivals because they need to fold up compactly enough to fit inside the floor bins. As reparation for relinquishing the Stow 'n Go second row in hybrid models (the battery pack takes up all of the underfloor seat storage space), Chrysler engineers added extra cushioning to the standard captain's chairs.

When it comes to hauling cargo, the Pacifica doesn’t disappoint. We managed to fit 53 of our carry-on suitcases inside with all the seats stowed. A built-in vacuum cleaner is standard on Limited models, but it occupies space that can otherwise be devoted to an optional mini-spare tire; buyers of lesser trims will have to make do with their own Shop-Vac.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Acing its crashworthiness testing would be enough, but the Pacifica adds to its safety standing by offering every conceivable driver-assistance feature available today, and some are standard, including these:

• Standard blind-spot monitor
• Standard rear automated emergency braking
• Standard rear parking sensors

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Chrysler offers a warranty package that is par for the class. The Kia Sedona does offer lengthier terms, but the Pacifica allows for longer use of the roadside-assistance plan. The Pacifica hybrid model has a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on hybrid components.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Hybrid components are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance