Used 2019 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica competes well with other minivans such as the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona. As with the Honda, the Pacifica is among the newer family haulers on the market, though the Odyssey is fresher. The Pacifica distinguishes itself from rivals in a couple of ways. The first is price, with a base cost that undercuts its Honda and Toyota competitors. The second is its availability of a plug-in hybrid version. The only such vehicle in its segment, the Pacifica Hybrid has an electrified powertrain good for 33 miles of range to complement its standard V6 engine. We like that even a base Pacifica includes blind-spot monitoring, but you’ll have to pay extra for more advanced safety features such as forward-collision warning/automatic braking that are standard on a Toyota.

The Pacifica delivers the kind of ride minivan drivers expect: quiet, powerful enough, and one without unpleasant surprises. We’ve griped about Chrysler’s 9-speed automatic transmission in the past for its hesitancy and lack of refinement, but it’s been reworked and feels smoother. If you go with the Pacifica Hybrid, you’ll get a smoother and surprisingly competent electrically variable, continuously variable transmission (CVT). The standard Pacifica’s 287-horsepower V6 isn’t quite as powerful as that of the Sienna, but it’s more than the Odyssey’s. But keep in mind the differences are minimal, and unless you’re racing other minivans in the quarter mile, it won’t matter. Just know the Pacifica gets up to speed just fine, and the Pacifica Hybrid’s electrified powertrain is well-integrated with the gasoline engine. Transitions between the two are quite seamless. On the open road the Pacifica’s handling isn’t sporty, but again, if you are looking for that in a minivan, then you probably shouldn’t be looking at minivans.

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica can seat either seven or eight passengers, depending on whether you choose to have the second row as two captain’s seats or a bench. The Pacifica Hybrid, meanwhile, only seats seven as it comes standard with the twin buckets in the second row. The 3rd-row seats are roomy enough for adults to not feel penalized. Up front, Mom and Dad have a nice perch at Mission Control thanks to comfortable seats, good visibility, and a hidden “conversation mirror” that allows you to see why the kids are bickering in back. If you haven’t been in a minivan in a while, the Pacifica will feel futuristic. Instead of a traditional transmission gear, there is a round dial to choose Park, Drive, Reverse, etc. Even the parking brake is engaged via a button. The standard Uconnect touch-screen infotainment system is quite intuitive and easy to use for major functions, but others such as optional seat ventilation or steering-wheel heat require multiple touches and digging down into sub-menus. Cargo room for both the standard and hybrid Pacifica is deep and plentiful, though not quite as much as what the Honda Odyssey offers.

For 2019, the Chrysler Pacifica has a decidedly round, soft exterior with plenty of curves. Prominent elements include a large greenhouse, nicely trimmed in bright chrome to accentuate its size and upward rising rear angle. It sits in stark contrast to boxier minivans like the Kia Sedona. Which do you prefer? Your eyes will know. They’ll have a harder time, however, telling the difference between the Pacifica and the Pacifica Hybrid. Aside from the “hybrid” badging, the latter’s main giveaway is what looks like a fuel door on the left front. Don’t try to put a gasoline nozzle there — it’s where you plug in the AC cord to charge the battery pack.

STOW ‘N GO
Unique to the minivan world are Chrysler’s Stow ‘n Go 2nd-row seats. Where other minivans require you to manually remove and store the seats, the Pacifica’s fold flush into the floor. And, unlike the seats in the old Town & Country, the Pacifica’s seats are actually now comfortable on long trips.

PLUG-IN HYBRID POWERTRAIN
Unique to the minivan world, the Pacifica Hybrid offers 7-passenger seating and excellent fuel economy thanks to an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain that can run up to 33 miles solely on electric power. With a combined mpg city/highway rating of 84 MPGe (32 mpg on gasoline only), it’s the most fuel-efficient minivan on the market.

Six trims are available for the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. While the base L has a tantalizing price compared to rivals like the Honda Odyssey, it’s lacking in many basic amenities. For example, you won’t get a power-adjustable driver’s seat or power-operated sliding doors. It does, however, include a version of Chrysler’s well-regarded Uconnect touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. All Pacificas come with the SafetyTec Group that includes blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The Pacifica LX adds features like tri-zone climate control, touring suspension, automatic headlights, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and aluminum-alloy wheels. If you want power-operated side doors, you’ll have to step up to the Pacifica Touring Plus, which also grants automatic climate control, power tailgate, and 2nd-row sunshades.

Continuing the trim climb brings more features like leather interior, upgraded 8.4-inch Uconnect system, heated and ventilated front seats, navigation and, at the very top, an integrated vacuum cleaner in the rear compartment. Options range from driver-assistance systems that help parallel park the van to a 20-speaker harman/kardon audio system, and heated steering wheel and 2nd-row seats. The Advanced SafetyTec Group, available on Pacifica Touring Plus and higher, bundles forward-collision warning with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control and surround-view camera. A rear-seat entertainment package is also available that includes 10-inch screens, Blu-ray player, USB ports and HDMI connections for playback devices. Pacifica Hybrid models start at the Touring Plus and move up to Limited, with a feature set that is mostly analogous to the gasoline-powered Limited, with a panoramic sunroof and 18-inch wheels being the only major stand-alone options.

The standard Chrysler Pacifica minivan uses Chrysler’s well-regarded 3.6-liter V6 matched to a 9-speed automatic transmission. At up to 28 mpg on the highway, it is among the most efficient minivans, matching that of the newer Honda Odyssey. To save fuel, all Pacificas except the base model have a start/stop system that cuts engine power at stoplights and other situations where you’d otherwise idle. If you dislike the restarts, the system can be deactivated with the press of a button. Those seeking the most efficiency should check out the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, at present the only plug-in minivan on the market. It also uses a V6 engine, but its power is supplemented by battery-fed electric motors. The Pacifica Hybrid can be recharged in a few hours with a 240-volt charger or the included 120-volt charging cable.

3.6-liter V6
287 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
262 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/28 mpg (L trim), 19/28 mpg

3.6-liter V6/dual-electric motors, 16kWh battery
260 total system horsepower
EPA city/highway combined fuel economy: 32 mpg/84 MPGe
Battery-only range on a full charge: 33 miles