15 Reasons Why The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Is Criminally Underrated

The Pacifica is a minivan produced by the Chrysler division of the Stellantis group. The name has been used earlier on many different vehicles from the brand, but since 2017, it has been used on the flagship minivan. It replaced the famous Chrysler Town & Country. The Pacifica also comes in a Plug-in Hybrid form called the Pacifica PHEV. However, this variant has been underrated since its launch despite being very capable as a minivan. With Top Safety Pick ratings from the IIHS, space for an entire family, and great connectivity and child monitoring: Pacifica is the perfect family vehicle.

Despite being in the market for many years and having a good reputation as far as the vehicle is concerned, it still hasn’t achieved the success that it should have. Chrysler has tried many different ways to showcase its ability, but despite that, the Pacifica hasn’t reached the success it is capable of. There are many reasons for this, and Chrysler has addressed some of them over the years. However, some of them still remain. Let’s look at some of the reasons why it is so criminally underrated.

Updated on 2nd February 2024: This article has been refreshed with new information regarding what makes Pacifica special, as well as updated 2024 specs and pricing for the hybrid models. This family van continues to dominate its sector, as well as become greener and offer longer range by the year.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Chrysler and other authoritative sources, including IIHS, the EPA, Car and Driver, and other reliable outlets.

1 The Chrysler Pacifica Is Luxurious And Roomy

The ample amount of legroom in all three rows makes it very comfortable for long-distance journeys without making the passengers feel claustrophobic. High-quality materials instantly lift the cabin ambiance and make it inviting for the passengers. You see the best space for people in the front seats of the Chrysler Pacifica, closely followed by the middle area seating. Although the third row is about five inches smaller in legroom compared to the front, you still have enough area to put your legs.

• Super spacious: The Pacifica boasts plenty of front, mid, and rear passenger leg room. You will find the best spacing towards the driver and front passenger seats.

Chrysler Pacifica Legroom Dimensions

(Specs sourced from Chrysler)

2 It Features A Multi-Zone Climate Control

Chrysler has loaded the Pacifica with many good-to-have and essential features that make it the default choice when choosing a family minivan. The Pacifica has full Amazon Alexa integration that helps the driver control all functions, from navigation to climate control. The automatic climate control system also keeps the cabin at the perfect temperature, which adds to creating that perfect environment. Also, the multi-zone climate control system allows various passengers to maintain temperature as per their liking and comfort.

• Great A/C and heating: The Pacifica lineup boasts automatic climate control and Amazon Alexa integration for cooling and heating.

3 The Pacifica Hybrid Is Very Fuel Efficient

Being a hybrid, the Pacifica offers very high levels of fuel efficiency despite being large and heavy. The PHEV system is designed to cover the maximum possible miles of electric power, thereby aiding the overall fuel efficiency. For the current 2024 hybrid model, you can expect 82 MPG-equivalent in combined city/highway driving, plus 30 MPG combined once the battery is depleted inside the vehicle. Even then, you see a pretty decent fuel economy for such a large van.

When driven with a light foot, the system allows the Pacifica to run on electric power even on expressways at higher speeds. The engine kicks in only when the batteries start to run out of juice. This helps in extracting the maximum possible efficiency out of the system.

4 Your Pacifica Features An Impressive Infotainment System

Chrysler has equipped the Pacifica with a very modern and functional infotainment system. This system controls most of the vehicle’s functions and allows the driver and the passengers to toggle any setting from a single control point.

The 10.1-inch touchscreen has a crisp and clear display and houses many of the car’s controls. It is also linked to the rear infotainment screens and allows the front-seat passengers to enjoy content from Amazon Fire TV when the vehicle is stationary. This makes the system enjoyable for all Pacifica passengers, including the ones in the front seat.

• Infotainment galore: You see a 10.1-inch infotainment screen display plus Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, and an available 19-speaker Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System, complete with a 10-inch subwoofer in higher trims.

5 The Chrysler Pacifica Is Loaded With Safety Features

One of the most essential features today is safety, and not just ones that appear to be good. When you own a minivan, you want the best of the best because your family will be relying on it. Chrysler has gone through the newest innovative safety technology on the shelf. If it was at all relevant to the Pacifica, it was added to the minivan.

• Forward collision warning
• Forward collision braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Pedestrian braking controls
• LED headlights
• LED taillights
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear park assist
• Rear cross-path detection

Plus, inside, you have the standard addition of having a filtration system installed to keep the cabin air fresh and 85 percent clear of harmful particles. Now, that is not to say that accidents will not happen, but if it does, the eight standard airbags and 97 safety features will help ensure that injuries are kept to the minimum.

• Top Safety Pick award: The 2023 Pacifica has scored a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS.

It’s also worth noting the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica (2024 has not been rated) scored a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS. It performed incredibly well in driver and front-passenger crash safety, as well as accident avoidance.

6 It Is Very Silent And Refined

Although initially, the Pacifica was known to be a bit noisy, Chrysler has worked on this aspect proactively over the years. Now, the Pacifica is one of the most refined minivans on the market. Thanks to the improved door and glass seals, the Pacifica is very silent and refined now, and this lifts the entire cabin ambiance at least two notches up.

The NVH levels on the Pacifica are now right up there with the segment’s best. Per testing, when you drive this minivan at 55 MPH, the interior should only experience ~62 decibels of noise. That is about what you would hear during a normal conversation or the amount of ambient sound in an office space.

• Quiet in motion: The Chrysler Pacifica should maintain a quiet cabin during everyday driving on roads and highways.

7 This Chrysler Pacifica Is Perfect For Storage

Chrysler has ensured the Pacifica offers high levels of practicality since that is high on the list of priorities for anyone looking for a minivan. It can be turned into a massive load-carrying van by removing the second-row and third-row seats. The large loading bay (140.5 cubic feet of total cargo capacity) ensures that the Pacifica takes in every passenger’s weekend trip luggage with room to spare.

The flexible seating also allows the Pacifica to carry all its passengers in utmost comfort along with their luggage. The second-row seats get individual armrests along with soft and comfortable pillows that make it very inviting for the passengers.

• Plenty of storage: Pacifica boasts 140.5 cubic feet of total cargo space.

8 It’s Even Easier To Connect To The Chrysler Pacifica

Chrysler has loaded the Pacifica with a ton of connectivity options keeping in mind the primary use case of this minivan. Minivans are primarily used by families with kids occupying the rear seats, and hence, Chrysler has equipped the Pacifica with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system that has Amazon Fire TV integrated.

One thing that adds to the Pacifica’s general allure is its family-friendly connectivity. You can easily stream movies and TV shows during long car rides, which is especially important for those traveling with young ones.

In fact, each of the second-row seats gets an individual HD display along with a remote. This keeps the family members, including small kids, entertained at all times, and even the front-seat passengers can join in when the car is stationary and in Park mode. The system can work on a phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot. It also has a built-in SIM card for seamless connectivity.

• Connectivity specs: The Chrysler Pacifica connects seamlessly to smartphones and offers a built-in SIM card.

9 The Pacifica Comes With A FamCAM

The Pacifica gets an extremely useful feature called the FamCAM, which allows the front seat passengers to see and interact with the rear seat passengers. It also allows one to zoom in on a particular seat. This feature is handy when smaller kids are made to sit in the rear seats, and they need to be monitored continuously by the adults seated at the front.

This also allows for easy conversation during those long road trips with the entire family, and many Pacifica owners have reported that they absolutely love this feature. Chrysler has done an outstanding job by giving this cherished feature as standard on the higher variants and not as an expensive option that would have left many owners wanting.

• You can watch the kiddos: Pacifica boasts a backseat-specific camera that allows second and third-row monitoring from the driver’s seat.

10 The Chrysler Pacifica Is The Benchmark In The Minivan Segment

Right from its first launch, the Pacifica has set a benchmark in the minivan segment, and manufacturers were sent back to the drawing boards to design something worthy of fighting against it. The tricky part is that despite being so good, the Pacifica never achieved the success that it could have.

The Pacifica has everything a minivan buyer looks for comfort, features, space, and practicality. Despite the dwindling minivan segment, the Pacifica has held its own due to these positives. Hybrids are in full force for 2024, and Pacifica is proving minivans can compete.

It’s also worth noting that the Chrysler sold 98,624 Pacifica Minivans in the U.S. in 2022, and has maintained strong figures through to this year. This model continues to be a go-to for its segment.

• Chrysler keeps dominating: Because of its long-standing name and sleek design, the Pacifica has continued to be a top seller within its niche.

11 You Have Plenty Of Convenience In The Chrysler Pacifica

The seats are electrically adjustable and offer seat heating and ventilation, making them comfortable in varied climates. The side and rear doors automatically open and close, which makes things nice when you have your hands full. The Pacifica also gets a built-in vacuum cleaner as an option. This is extremely useful in a minivan since it accumulates a lot of junk during those long family trips. Having a built-in vacuum cleaner allows easy cleaning of the entire van.

• Comfort features worth talking about: The Chrysler Pacifica boasts endless comfort features, both for drivers and passengers. You have auto side and rear doors plus an optional built-in vacuum cleaner.

12 The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Has Plenty Of Power

Being able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under three seconds is not something that is a top priority in a minivan. After all, more times than not, children and family members will be in the car, so safety and defensive driving are more important than outright speed. Even so, the Chrysler Pacifica has a powerful 3.6 liter V-6 engine hybrid system that works along with two electric motors. The combination gives a total of up to 260 horses, which is good enough for 0 to 60 MPH in just over six seconds and provides a governed top speed of 111 MPH.

You’ll also see 262 pound-feet of torque, as well as a perky response time in the PHEV version of Pacifica, making this an eco-friendly and powerful minivan model. Family vans don’t have to be boring!

• Pacifica packs a punch: The 2023 and 2024 Pacifica boasts a dual-motor hybrid system in PHEV models, plus up to 260 horsepower.

2023/2024 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV Specs

(Specs sourced from Chrysler)

13 It Can Be Fully Charged In Two Hours

Charging times are arguably one of the biggest areas of debate within the EV industry. Some consumers expect the charge times to be as fast as filling a tank of gas in an ICE-powered version, which most carmakers are working on. Still, for now, a basic charging unit plugged into a home outlet will get you a full charge in about 12 hours, which is just fine if you drive around town during the day, and park it at night.

However, if you need a fast charger hooked up at your home, Chrysler has partnered with Qmerit to get you hooked up. With the upgraded charger installed, you can have a full charge in as fast as two hours, with a professional on call to repair the charging station if anything goes wrong.

• Pacifica charge time: 14 hours at 110V, 2 hours at 220V

14 It Is One Of The Few Remaining Models Eligible For A Full Tax Credit

The Chrysler Pacifica PHEV is eligible for a full federal clean vehicle tax credit. Depending on the individual’s tax liability, this can knock $7,500 off the price tag. This makes it an extremely high value-for-money proposition, thus making it attractive for minivan buyers. With the 2024 change to sourcing requirements for batteries and their manufacturing, Chrysler Pacifica is one of the few that stays listed by the Department of Energy. Another reason it’s such a great model!

• Tax credit status: The 2023 and 2024 Chrysler Pacifica will remain eligible for a tax credit as long as they cost under $80,000.

15 The 2024 Pacifica Hybrid Is Offered In More Trims

For the 2023 model year, there are seven trim levels for the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, but only three of them are Hybrid versions. However, for 2024, you see five distinct plug-in hybrid trims to choose from, a step up from the previous generation.

• 2024 pricing: The starting MSRP is $53,425, leading up to your highest trim MSRP being $62,155.

2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Trims Starting Prices

(Prices sourced from Chrysler)

2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Trims Starting Prices

(Prices sourced from Chrysler)