2019 Chrysler Pacifica ReviewLearn more about the many trim levels, features, and hybrid options for the new 2019 Chrysler Pacifica in our 2019 Chrysler Pacifica review. More...
Autolist Editorial | June 19, 2019
Quick Facts:
Pros:
- Comes with an extensive list of standard features.
- Available all-wheel-drive.
- Slick folding seats for second-row.
- Available as a plug-in hybrid.
Cons:
- Base price is higher than rivals.
- Options can quickly drive up the price.
- Not as large inside as other minivans.
- Advanced driver assistance features are options on most models.
Vehicle Type: The Pacifica is a four-door, three-row minivan.
Price Range: From $35,540, including a $1,495 destination fee, to $46,290, before options.
Powertrain: A 287-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 with front-wheel-drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
All-wheel-drive is optional.
Overview:
The Chrysler Pacifica is Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ latest minivan, continuing a lineage started in 1983 by the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. Over the years, the parent company has taken on nearly as many names as the minivans themselves, but their design continues to maximize space for both passengers and cargo.
The Pacifica goes up against the Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, and Toyota Sienna as its primary minivan rivals. But some minivan buyers also consider three-row SUVs such as the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander, and Dodge Durango.
All-wheel-drive became available partway through the 2020 Pacifica’s run with an AWD Launch Edition model. Based on the Touring L trim, it also includes the S Appearance Package, self-sealing tires, and other AWD-specific equipment.
All-wheel-drive will be available on other gasoline-only Pacifica models for 2021.
Also for 2020 is a new Red S Appearance Package, which combines the blacked-out trim of the S Package with red leather upholstery inside, 20-inch wheels on gasoline models, 20-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system, and the Advanced Safety Technology Package.
Hybrid models also get the same grille design as gasoline models now, and the panoramic moonroof can be combined with eight-passenger seating for the first time. There are a handful of other detail changes, too.
While the minivan segment no longer reigns as the primary family hauler for American families, it has a loyal following for those who would rather maximize space over anything else. Now with available all-wheel-drive, it give consumers who want a three-row vehicle another serious alternative to the SUV.
The Pacifica is available in five trim levels, while the Pacifica Hybrid is available in three.
Overall Score: 7/10
Safety Features: 7/10
The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Pacifica its highest five stars overall in crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Pacifica a 2019 Top Safety Pick score, its second-highest rating.
The Chrysler performed well in all crash tests. However, it scored the second-highest ‘Acceptable’ rating in IIHS’ small-overlap passenger-side crash test, when other minivans were rated the top ‘Good’ score.
All Pacifica models get forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic detection. Hybrid models also add standard rear parking sensors.
Unfortunately, automatic emergency braking is only available as part of a package that also includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, automatic high beam assist, a surround-view camera, and a number of other features.
Nearly all other rivals include at least low-speed automatic emergency braking as standard, while the Sienna includes adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, pedestrian detection, and other technologies on all models.
Value: 7/10
The Pacifica Touring starts from $35,540, which is about $2,000 to $3,000 more than its rivals. But it’s also better equipped than the base versions of minivans from Honda, Kia, and Toyota. All models get power sliding doors, a power liftgate, heated exterior mirrors, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and other features that usually require stepping up a level or two on competitors. The similar Chrysler Voyager offers fewer features to compete with entry-level versions of rival vans.
The Pacifica Hybrid commands a nearly $3,000 premium over the equivalent gasoline-only Pacifica. But it still qualifies for a federal tax credit that could make it less expensive than the equivalent gasoline model.
Tech Features: 8/10
The Pacifica comes standard with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system using Chrysler’s UConnect system. Most functions are controlled through the screen, but there are numerous physical buttons and knobs for common items such as audio volume, temperature, and other items. It’s among the clearest and easiest to use systems on the market. A larger 8.4-inch touchscreen is available on lower trims, standard on others, and is also available with built-in navigation.
The UConnect Theatre Package is available across the board (standard on the Touring L Plus trim) and features two 10-inch screens mounted on the front seatbacks. It also comes with a Blu-Ray player, HDMI connectors, a household-style power outlet, and USB charging points. While this makes it easy for second-row passengers to see the screens, third-row passengers are left out compared to competing systems that have a drop-down screen from the roof, as in the Honda and Toyota minivans. Kia does not offer a factory rear entertainment system.
Practicality: 8/10
The gasoline Pacificas get Chrysler’s Stow ‘N Go folding seat system, where the third-row splits 60/40 and folds into a well in the floor. The second-row captain’s chairs collapse and fold into individual covered bins in the floor.
That’s where the Chrysler one-ups the competition (apart from the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Voyager), eliminating the need to wrestle out the second-row captain’s chairs to maximize cargo space. And when the seats are up, the covered bins act as more hidden storage away from prying eyes. This feature is also retained for all-wheel-drive models, but not the hybrid, which uses larger captain’s chairs that have to be lifted out.
Pacifica models come with seating for seven as standard, but an eighth seat is available for the middle row on all models. This seat doesn’t fit as neatly as the other rear seats, however, and has to be completely removed, even though it’s relatively light. Second-row seats slide forward to allow access to the third-row.
All models include a power liftgate and power sliding doors. Standard on Limited and optional on Touring L Plus is hands-free operation of not only the tailgate but the power sliding doors, which is an unusual feature. But like the hands-free tailgate operation, it could be useful for some situations.
But the Pacifica doesn’t have as large an interior as most of its rivals, larger than the Grand Caravan, about the same size as the Sedona, but behind the Odyssey and Sienna. All of the minivans are roughly the same size, though, so it may not matter in everyday use.
Styling & Design: 7/10
Chrysler has tried to break from the traditional minivan shape without compromising packaging too much, so it’s adorned all Pacifica models with plenty of trim and detailing that’s uncommon of the segment. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but Chrysler also offers an appearance package to give this minivan a more aggressive appearance.
It’s a similar story inside, where there are both pale and dark colors available. All but the base model gets leather upholstery as standard, which is unusual in this segment, and most also offer a moonroof that has either two or three panes to cover the entire interior with light, should the occupants choose – another unusual feature among minivans.
The controls take some getting used to, between the rotary-style gear selector and the litany of buttons on the center console that serve as redundant controls for the UConnect infotainment system. But once familiarized, they fall more readily to hand than using the touchscreen in some situations.
Chrysler’s use of redundant controls is unlike that of Honda and Toyota, which put most functions in a touchscreen. Kia’s controls are somewhat better marked and easier to use, but they are sometimes more of a reach.
Driving Experience: 7/10
The gasoline-only Pacifica uses a 287-horsepower V6 that’s relatively good at powering the heavy vehicle. Mated to a nine-speed automatic, the Pacifica is smooth to drive, if not as effortless as the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, which have slightly more refined powertrains.
The Pacifica Hybrid has a 260-horsepower gas-electric combination, which is down on power compared to all other minivans, but the instant electric torque from the motor mitigates that for the most part. It’s also smoother because it uses an eCVT transmission, whereas the nine-speed automatic can be jerky under some circumstances.
The ride is plush and interior quiet on the highway, so the Pacifica majors in comfort as most minivans do. A Honda Odyssey feels slightly more athletic and less cumbersome in tight situations, however.
All-wheel-drive is available, making it the second minivan to offer it after the Sienna. Chrysler says it’s capable of transferring up to 100 percent of power to the wheels losing traction, or it can disconnect power to the rear wheels when the system isn’t in use, in order to save fuel. For 2020, the system is offered only on one trim level, but that will be expanded in 2021.
Fuel Efficiency: 8/10
The Pacifica gasoline models are rated at 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, with 22 combined. The Pacifica Hybrid is rated at 30 mpg combined and 82 MPGe, with 32 miles of electric-only range. All-wheel-drive models have not yet been rated.
The Pacifica compares favorably to other minivans, scoring similarly to the Honda Odyssey and slightly more than all versions of the Kia Sedona, Toyota Sienna, and Dodge Grand Caravan.
The Pacifica Hybrid’s score matches that of some small SUVs, while its electric-only range is more than any plug-in hybrid three-row SUV from BMW or Volvo, for example.
While most three-row gasoline SUVs score comparably to the Pacifica in fuel economy, they usually have all-wheel-drive. And the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the closest rival to the Pacifica Hybrid, scores 35 mpg combined even with all-wheel-drive. It’s not as powerful as the Chrysler, but also offers seven seats and better efficiency for those who may not be able to plug into a charger on a regular basis.
What’s it Going to Cost Me?
The Chrysler Pacifica starts from $35,540 MSRP, including the $1,495 destination charge. The Pacifica lineup consists of five trim levels, three of which are available on the Pacifica Hybrid.
The Pacifica Touring starts at $35,540 MSRP. Standard features include the 28-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6, nine-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive, power-sliding rear doors, power tailgate, auto on/off headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, three-zone automatic climate control, interior ambient lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror, second-row retractable sunshades, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, full-length floor console in the front row, 3.5-inch digital instrument panel trip computer, universal garage door opener, and 8-way power driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar support. The seven-inch touchscreen UConnect infotainment system comes standard, along with a six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility, blind-spot monitoring and rear parking sensors with cross-traffic detection.
The Pacifica Hybrid Touring starts from $41,490 MSRP and has the same equipment, apart from some hybrid-specific trim and the 260-horsepower gas-electric hybrid powertrain with an electric continuously variable transmission.
Options include Advanced SafetyTec Group, which has adaptive cruise control with full-speed emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, automated parking assistant, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high beam assist. Also available is the Cold Weather Group, with heated front seats and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The UConnect Theatre Package includes two 10-inch screens behind the front seats, wireless headphones, remote control, two additional second-row USB ports, a third-row USB charge port, an HDMI connector, and a Blu-Ray player.
The S Appearance Package, optional on all trim levels, features gloss black accents throughout the exterior, 18-inch gloss black wheels, black upholstery with silver stitching, and black interior accents.
Other options for the Touring include a removable eighth seat for the second row, an 8.4-inch touchscreen with or without built-in navigation, inflatable spare tire, and towing package.
The Pacifica Touring L starts from $38,640 MSRP. It adds to the Touring bright roof rails, third-row retractable sunshades, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, memory settings for the driver’s seat, and leather upholstery. The Pacifica Hybrid Touring L starts from $43,790 MSRP.
Options include the S Appearance Package, Advanced SafetyTec Group, towing package, eighth seat, built-in navigation, and inflatable spare tire.
The Premium Audio Group adds an 8.4-inch touchscreen, power front passenger’s seat, third-row USB charging port, and a 13-speaker Alpine audio system. The 35th Anniversary Package includes special trim inside and out, an overhead-mounted DVD screen, and eight-passenger seating.
The Pacifica AWD Launch Edition starts from $41,375 MSRP. It adds to the Touring L an all-wheel-drive system, dark gray 18-inch alloy wheels, 8.4-inch touchscreen, and the S Appearance Package with black leather upholstery.
Options include built-in navigation, the dual-pane moonroof, Advanced SafetyTec Group, UConnect Theatre package, Premium Audio Group, and towing package.
The Pacifica Touring L Plus starts from $41,740 MSRP. It adds to the Touring L polished 17-inch wheels, rear-seat ambient interior lighting, an enlarged front-row center console with illuminated cupholders, 7-inch configurable digital display in the instrument panel, heated second-row seats, 13-speaker Alpine audio system, 8.4-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation, and the UConnect Theatre package with 10-inch screens, Blu-Ray player, and 115-volt household outlet, among other items.
Options include the Advanced SafetyTec Group, towing package, S Appearance Package, eight-passenger seating, moonroof, and a 20-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system. Also available is hands-free opening for the power tailgate, as well as the power sliding doors. The 35th Anniversary Package includes the moonroof on the Touring L Plus trim.
The top-tier Pacifica Limited starts from $46,290 MSRP. The Pacifica Hybrid Limited starts from $47,340 MSRP. On top of the Touring L Plus’ features, the Limited trim includes LED fog lights, LED daytime running lights, high-intensity headlamps, power-folding exterior side mirrors, tri-pane moonroof, 18-inch wheels, exterior footwell courtesy lamps, premium leather upholstery, power-folding third-row seat, and an integrated vacuum cleaner.
Options include the eight-passenger seating package with dual-pane moonroof, 20-speaker audio system, towing package, Advanced SafetyTec Group, and the 35th Anniversary Package, which includes 20-inch wheels. The S Appearance Package and UConnect Theatre Package are also available.
The Red S Appearance Package adds red Nappa leather upholstery, black and red exterior trim, 20-inch wheels, the Advanced SafetyTec Group, and 20-speaker audio system.
