The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is one of the best family haulers on the market. Full stop. That’s the article.
For those not familiar with our MinnyVan endeavors, we’re pretty pro-minivan. We had a 2019 Honda Odyssey Elite, a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and now this 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Yes, the market and consumers are absolutely infatuated with the 3-row SUVs (see Highlander, Pilot, Telluride, Palisade, Atlas, Ascent, Pathfinder, Grand Cherokee L, Explorer, Traverse and on and on and on) while minivan buyers really have just a handful of options, Pacifica/Voyager, Sienna, Odyssey and Carnival (formerly known as Sedona).
But #IYKYK amirite? Need adult size 3rd row seating? Minivan. Need substantive cargo area behind said 3rd row seating? Minivan. Need a car that offers easy entry and exit for adults, elders and children alike? Minivan.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combines the best parts of minivan life, with an excellent plug-in hybrid system with 32 miles of electric range. After some extensive experience with the traditional gas Chrysler Pacifica, I have to say the hybrid is smoother and works better for our particular family needs. Love driving around in electric mode and the 30ish miles of range allowed for nearly all of our day to day needs, while always being at the ready for any unexpected errands or journeys thanks to the gas engine. Yes, there’s definitely added complexity and added weight from lugging around a giant battery AND an entire gas engine powertrain, but it was really nice to have the added flexibility of both. Over 70% of our total mileage was done under electric power, with most of the gas mileage being attributed to our longer treks. Would still love to see Chrysler add in plug-in hybrid specific controls for when/where owners want to use their EV range as they do on the new Wrangler 4XE. For now, the Pacifica Hybrid will utilize all electric driving range first and then revert to gas hybrid. It’s a simple set up, if not able to truly maximize for those that might jump on the highway first, where the gas hybrid might be more efficient and then city driving needs after that.
I really enjoyed driving the Pacifica Hybrid around. I’d often prefer it to even our Audi e-tron that we had in the garage alongside it. The controls in the Pacifica were just straightforward and easy to use, it was easy to hop in and out, loading our daughter in and out of the car seat was a breeze and never had to worry about the door swinging out to hit anyone next to us.
Now, the Pacifica Hybrid won’t work for all minivan loving families. If you cherish the ultimate interior flexibility of minivans as giant cargo haulers in a moment’s notice, especially those of the Chrysler variety with their unique stow ‘n go 2nd row seats that can disappear into the floor in under a minute, then the hybrid isn’t the van for you. The Pacifica Hybrid uses that space under the floor for the plug-in hybrid’s batteries. You can still remove the captains chairs though, something that the new Sienna and certain Carnival trims do not let you do. One other nitpick on the seats while we’re here, the 2nd row seats in the Pacifica Hybrid don’t do the nice pivot and tilt to allow for 3rd row access with a car seat installed, which the gas Pacifica’s stow ‘n go seats do.
Also, if all-wheel drive is a priority for your van fam, then the Pacifica Hybrid also won’t work. While the Pacifica does offer all-wheel drive, it’s only paired with the gas engine for now. Toyota Sienna offers all-wheel drive with its standard 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain.
The Pacifica CAN carry you and your loved ones in style and luxury. The top end Limited and Pinnacle trims really do compete on a near-luxury level. And they really should with their $50K+ price tags. The 2021 refresh brought in wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless phone charging. Pacifica Hybrid also gained LED headlights with the refresh. HID headlights were an odd omission on the 2020 Pacifica Hybrid Limited when the gas Pacifica had them. Pacifica also offers up 3-rows with of sunroofs, something not matched in the other minivans, although Carnival offers two smaller units that can both open up. Chrysler also allows for available power front passenger lumbar control, not common on many mainstream/non-luxury vehicles. Odyssey did gain passenger lumbar on its recent refresh I believe.
An interior passenger camera, dubbed FamCam, was also added for the 2021 model year. This feature was first seen on the 2018 Honda Odyssey, and can also be found on the new Kia Carnival. Each brand installs it a little differently. The Odyssey doesn’t have a large sunroof, so its camera position allows you to see 2nd and 3rd row passengers, but would be difficult to utilize for a rear facing car seat in the 2nd row. The Pacifica has better resolution, but due to the giant panoramic sunroof, its camera is mounted further rearward in the cabin. This makes it less useful for a forward facing seat in the 2nd row, but would allow for better visibility into a rear facing unit. Just something to note if this camera feature is important for you.
Other oddities with the Pacifica feature set include the fact that they offer kick to open functionality on the rear door and side doors. but you can’t kick to close?! Weird nitpick, but almost every other brand out there has the function on both open and close. Pacifica also doesn’t offer a digital rear camera mirror like the new Sienna, but I would expect to see this soon as we’ve seen it on several new Jeep products now. Similarly, even though the Pacifica has an electronic parking brake and the adaptive cruise control can bring you to a stop and hold you, the Pacifica doesn’t have automatic brake hold, which can hold your vehicle at a stop and keep your brake lights illuminated. This is a pretty common feature, especially if the you have the aforementioned electronic parking brake, but Pacifica doesn’t have it. Some newer Jeeps do have this, but oddly only at the highest trim levels when it is offered. Not something you typically see as part of an “upsell” feature set, but okay.
Overall, Chrysler still dominates when it comes to making a minivan that does great minivan things. The Kia Carnival is coming in hard with premium, modern style and tech, but falls short on a bit of the overall interior flexibility and space. Toyota is offering supreme fuel efficiency, but stops just short of full electric driving range and may feel a bit lackluster inside. Honda’s Odyssey is typically very well-rounded, but doesn’t really stand out in any one particular area these days.
We’ll bite the 3-row SUV bullet for our next family hauler and see how it compares with our beloved MinnyVan, but it has some pretty big shoes to fill.