LOOKS

In my experience, a minivan generally looks … like a minivan, which minor changes between the different automakers. It’s a long, spacious tube with versatile seating to make transporting your brood and cargo a bit easier than the typical SUV.

There are people who can’t stand the design of a minivan, and others who love it. It’s just that kind of polarizing vehicle.

With the Pacifica, the exterior design is somewhat attractive, and my test vehicle featured an attractive bright blue paint scheme (Ocean Blue Metallic).

The interior of the Pacifica featured comfortable Nappa Leather bucket seats, and a design that allowed for easy entry and exit to all rows. 

The Pacifica seats 7 comfortably. Third row was tight for adults but offered ample space for smaller children, and it also folds into the floor. The second row of seats does not fold into the floor due to the location of the hybrid battery, but can be adjusted to allow more space. Both second and third rows feature side window shades.

Up front, there was a heated steering wheel, and heated/ventilated front seats. Materials were not at luxury levels, but they did not feel cheap either. Above average would be an apt description.

Outside, there are 18-inch wheels and all-season tires, and a tri-pane panoramic sunroof is an option that will run you an extra $1,795.

If you opt for the “S” Appearance package ($795), you’ll get some attractive touches like black badging, a black Stow ‘n Place roof rack and gloss black upper/lower grille surrounds.

Overall, while minivans are not the most stylish vehicle overall, the Pacifica does a good job overall of staying attractive as well as it can.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

The Pacifica hybrid is powered by a 3.6-liter, V6 engine, which is bolstered by two electric motors, bringing the grand total to 260 horsepower. Once electric-only power is depleted, regular hybrid operation will take hold.

Overall, the Pacifica hybrid offers a very quiet ride, with little intrusion from road noise. If you push the engine hard, there is a bit of a whiny sound, but nothing too annoying.

The driving experience in general is not powerful, but it’s also not as slow as you would expect from a hybrid. I was pleasantly surprised.

It is a large vehicle though, so it can be a challenge to maneuver at times. And 0-60 acceleration takes more than 8 seconds. And the heavier you are on the gas pedal, the quicker the electric power is depleted.

CHARGING, FUEL MILEAGE
Official fuel mileage on the Pacifica hybrid is an impressive 30 mpg (combined city/highway) with gasoline only. With electricity and gasoline working together, the number grows to a solid 82 MPGe. I would compare that to other hybrid minivans, but there are no other hybrid minivans. This is the one and only.

The Pacifica hybrid goes 33 miles strictly on electric power, plus nearly 500 miles on gas, giving you an excellent overall range before you need to fill up, even with a longer commute.

If you have a 240-volt outlet (Level 2 charger), the battery pack can be recharged in two hours. It’s worth the upgrade, because a standard 120-volt outlet will take 12 hours to recharge the battery.

For people who have short work commutes and charge nightly, it’s possible to spend most of your time driving completely in electric mode and rarely have to even think about stopping at the gas station.

 
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY 

Safety and tech are both areas where FCA vehicles typically have things handled well. The Pacifica hybrid is no exception.

One highlight was the optional Uconnect Theater, with screens placed on the seat backs of the front seats, for those sitting in the second and third rows to enjoy. In addition to being able to watch DVDs and Blu-Rays (and stream content from mobile devices), there are also games on the seat backs that kids can play to stay occupied on longer rides. I like that the screens are not hanging from above, so they don’t obstruct the driver’s rear view, and are instead at eye level for passengers.

Wireless headphones allow passengers to listen to movies while those up front can keep the radio or other music sources on. The vehicle also featured dual HDMI Ports, and a 115-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet, and several USB ports.

At the center of the tech is the always impressive UConnect infotainment system, featuring navigation and an 8.4-inch display. This large, easy-to-use and well-designed system has been one of the best designs in car tech for a long time, and continues to impress. Drivers of all ages and levels of technology comfort can figure out this simple but effective system, both via touch control and voice commands.

A one-year subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio is included, it’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is offered, as is a 13-speaker sound system.

Safetywise, you get a bevy of air bags through the vehicle, LATCH ready child seat anchor system, blind spot and cross-path detection, ParkSense Rear Park-Assist with Stop, Electronic Stability Control and more. 

One of the best options on the Pacifica hybrid is the very affordable ($995) Advanced SafetyTec group, which features:

• Full-speed forward collision warning plus
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
• Lane Departure Warning Plus
• Parallel and Perpendicular Park-Assist
• ParkSense Front and Rear Park-Assist with Stop
• Rain-Sensitive Windshield Wipers
• Advanced Brake Assist
• Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control
• 360-degree surround view camera system

PRICE, BOTTOM LINE

The Pacifica hybrid I tested was priced just over $50,000, and the base price starts about $40K. The Pacifica hybrid also may qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

The Chrysler Pacifica is arguably the segment leader in the minivan genre, even against heavy hitters like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. The hybrid adds another wrinkle into the mix, setting it apart from the competition.

This versatile family vehicle should continue to be a big hit for Chrysler, and it deserves its spot atop the segment.

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