3 Things We Love About the Chrysler Pacifica and 2 Things We Do Not
Minivans have come a long way from their lowly beginnings. Initially conceived as basic transportation for multiple people, the minivan has grown in size, content, and price. Although there are only a handful of choices left on the market, many of the remaining minivans are good ones, none of which may be better than the Chrysler Pacifica, especially the plug-in hybrid.
As the inventor of the modern-day minivan, it’s impressive that Chrysler has remained at the forefront of the segment after all these years. The brand’s latest offering can rival some luxury marques in terms of features and refinement.
As much as there is to love about the posh van though, there are a few areas that could use some improvement. Below we dig into what we like and don’t like about the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid.
Love It – Plug-in Hybrid
The Pacifica is the only plug-in hybrid minivan on the market. It makes total sense for a van to have a plug-in drivetrain as many are frequently driven around with no passengers. The fuel economy penalty for a heavy, powerful vehicle like a minivan can be rescinded in these situations with the use of all-electric energy.
As well, in many places the Pacifica plug-in will qualify for special vehicle permits that allow it to travel in high-occupancy lanes even when there’s just a solo driver.
Leave It - Range
This isn’t so much a complaint about just the Pacifica, but plug-in hybrids in general. We wish they would have more all-electric range, especially ones with ample electric motor power like this Chrysler van.
With room for just a 16-kWh battery pack, the Pacifica Plug-In is rated to travel up to 32 miles without the need of the gasoline engine. This is on the higher end for current plug-ins, but we wish it were a bit more. If it was closer to 50 miles of range, many folks would be able to commute and/or do daily errands without ever needing the gas engine. Then, when a road trip is required, that extra fuel-fed range is ready to go.
Love It – Drivetrain
The Chrysler Pacifica has one of the smoothest plug-in hybrid drivetrains we have ever experienced. During a recent comparison test, our staff couldn’t tell if the van was operating on just battery power or if the engine was also engaged. That’s just how quiet the inter combustion engine operates at low rpms and how seamless the transition is between all electric and hybrid power.
With 260 total system horsepower, the Pacifica plug-in hybrid is a bit perplexing. It makes less power than the regular 3.6-liter V6 version of the van, despite using a 3.6-liter V6 and two electric motors. But the driving experience is far more than the sum of its parts. The entire package delivers plenty of smooth, torque-rich power.
Leave It – Price
The Pacifica plug-in hybrid doesn’t come cheap. It’s a case of you pay for what you get. As mentioned, the Pacifica is more premium than other vans on the market, and we often refer to it as the luxury minivan.
Like most of the finest things in life, there’s a cost associated with opulence. The Pacifica plug-in hybrid starts at a price of $52,690 in the United States including destination charges. In Canada, the entry point is $62,190. For the Pacifica Road Tripper edition featured in this article, the price is $59,285 ($68,875 CAD). That’s not even the most expensive version of the vehicle either.
Love It – Refinement
The high price does seem warranted after spending time in the vehicle. Forget it’s just a minivan and think of it as more of a premium, multi-passenger vehicle. Aside from the great drivetrain, the ride comfort, road manners, and ease of use are all top-notch.
The seats are comfortable and most interior materials match the vehicle’s price point. Even the exterior has a classy look to it that wouldn’t seem out of place at the local country club.
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A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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If this is the Best Minivan according to you, well, then NO comment
So I was ready to buy one of these, used, but noticed that the paint was bubbling on the hood and doors. Upon reading up on it, I learned that this was not rust, but aluminum galvanization. Have they fixed this? I'm not into spending 60K and having it look like it's rusting within a year.