When it comes to the ultimate people mover, the Chrysler Pacifica is hard to beat. Yes, it’s a minivan, I know, but it’s one of the best minivans out there, placing it right up there with the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. And like the Sienna, which is a hybrid, the Pacifica is the only minivan that is available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
The Pacifica Hybrid carries nearly every feature that you would find in a normal Pacifica, but benefits from being incredibly fuel-efficient thanks to its hybrid technology. Being available as a PHEV means it can travel as much as 32 miles without using a drop of gasoline. When you exceed that range, the Pacifica Hybrid takes on the role of a regular hybrid – automatically switching from its electric motors (there are two of them) to a special version of the popular 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, where it manages to get around 30 mpg.
Charging time for a dead battery to reach a 100% charge level takes about 13 1/2 hours on a standard 110-volt outlet. If you’re lucky to be able to plug the Pacifica Hybrid into a 220-volt power source, charging time takes right under 2 hours.
But let’s not forget that the main purpose of a minivan is to haul families and all their belongings around – and that is where the Pacifica really shines. Standard on every Pacifica is a three-zone climate control system so the front and middle rows can each control the temperature. And there are lots of USB and auxiliary ports scattered throughout the cabin to keep every electronic gadget charged. Higher end models include features such as Blu-ray players and a tri-pane panoramic sunroof.
In fact, everything that makes the regular Pacifica so appealing can be found on the Pacifica Hybrid – with one exception – the second-row Stow ‘n Go seating, where seats can be stowed into the floor – is not available on the Pacifica Hybrid due to the hybrid’s massive battery pack. In a smart move, Chrysler opted to place the batteries below the second row floor (and give up the Stow ‘n Go option) rather than place them in the back and have them eat up valuable cargo space.
That is a small price to pay for a minivan that is rated at 82 MPGe
If you prefer not to go the hybrid route, you have 4 trim levels to choose from: the Touring, Touring L, Limited and Pinnacle. Those going the Pacifica Hybrid route, there is the Select and Pinnacle trim levels.
All-wheel drive is also available on the Pacifica, but only on non-hybrid models.
The tester arrived as a top-of-the-line Pacifica Hybrid Pinnacle. Decked out in probably the most leather I have ever seen in a vehicle (we are talking about three rows of quilted premium leather here), suede headliner, second-row lumbar pillows, a 20-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system and hands-free power sliding doors, the Pinnacle is like road-traveling first-class. But as we know, first-class isn’t cheap, with my Pacifica Hybrid Pinnacle carrying a $61,685 price tag. Pricing for the Pacifica starts at $41,095 for the Touring, while the Pacifica Hybrid Select starts at $52,460.
The behind the wheel driving experience of the Pacifica Hybrid, as expected, is hardly exciting. But it does drive nicely, visibility is excellent, and the ride is comforting. There is plenty of power from the hybrid powerplant and that power is quite smooth. The Pacifica, as nice as it is, doesn’t break any new ground in the mini-van driving experience, but that’s ok, because I hardly think anyone would buy a minivan for the driving experience.
Finally, I understand the minivan stigma is still strong out there – regardless how good you make it, some people just won’t be caught driving one. But no matter how you look at it, there is really no denying that it is the most practical vehicle when it comes time to pack up the family and hit the road. Not even a full-size SUV can match the comfort and ease it is to load a minivan. And as good as the Chrysler Pacifica is, (and it’s pretty good), the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid just makes it that much better by saving on fuel costs. Maybe that’s why Car and Driver has named the Pacifica to their 10Best Trucks and SUVs list multiple times.
— Christopher A. Randazzo
By The Numbers:
Base Price: $59,495.00
Price as Tested: $61,685.00
Layout: front-engine / front-wheel drive
Engine: 3.6 liter V6 eHybrid
Transmission: 9 – speed automatic
Horsepower: 260 hp
Torque: N/A
EPA Fuel Economy: 82 MPGe
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