2020 Chrysler Pacifica

Get over the post-modern image of a minivan. The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is here to make a statement and also, throw the sexist concept of Soccer-moms right out. The Pacifica is a minivan that rivals SUVs in terms of styling and challenges all the cars in the segment with features that are tasteful as well as useful.

The new Chrysler Pacifica does everything and then some. It doesn't skimp on the necessary equipment, and also offers plenty of safety features as well. It all sounds like a sweet deal before even you consider the price. It starts at $34,995. Now it sounds like a steal, right?

The Chrysler Pacifica minivan comes in four trim levels: Touring, Touring-L, Touring-Plus, and  Limited. Chrysler features a 3.6L V6 engine and a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Base trim is loaded with features and gets more addition to each trim. Scaling up the trim levels, one can get all of Pacifica’s richness including a bigger touchscreen, heated and ventilated seats, dual-screen rear entertainment and more. 

Trim	Touring	Touring L	Touring L Plus	Limited
MSRP	$31,386	$34,036	$36,687	$41,061
Key Features	Chrome exterior trim	Eight-way power passenger seat with power lumbar adjustment	Heated steering wheel	20-inch wheels
	Fog Lights	Heated front seats	Heated second-row seats	Red S appearance package
	LED taillights	Second- and third-row retractable sunshades	8.4-inch touchscreen	Hands-free liftgate and hands-free sliding doors
	Power liftgate	Leather upholstery	Navigation and the Alpine audio system	Premium leather upholstery
	Power-sliding rear doors		Third-row USB port	Second-row USB port and a power-folding third-row seat
	Remote engine start		Ambient lighting	In-vehicle vacuum cleaner
	Full keyless entry			Ventilated front seats
	Satellite radio and a charge-only USB port located in the front row			Xenon headlamps
	Automatic climate control			Driver-seat memory settings
	Two sunroofs (panoramic for the first two rows and an additional fixed sunroof above the third row)			Power-folding mirrors
	Honeycomb grille pattern			Auto-dimming exterior and rearview mirrors
				LED fog lights

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That you go for the Touring L trim along with the premium audio package which adds a 13-speaker, 506-watt Alpine stereo system, and a third-row USB charge port and upgrades the standard 5.0-inch infotainment touchscreen to a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen. 

The Pacifica is powered by a 3.6L V-6 engine mated to a 9-Speed Automatic Transmission. All the cars are driven with the power to the front wheels (FWD). The V-6 generates 287 hp @ 6400 rpm, while delivering a torque of 262 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm. The car comes with no engine options.

This is not the best and most powerful engine available in the segment but offers optimum performance to fit as a perfect daily driver with enough room for a fast-paced run on the freeway. All the cars in the category come equipped with pretty much the same engine however the Pacifica maintains a good lead with the engine performance with the smooth transmission and a better fuel economy.

Models	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE	Kia Sedona L minivan
MSRP	$34,036	$27,595	$31,085	$30,285	$27,980
Engine	3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.5L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.5L V6 Ti-VCT	3.3L V6 Gasoline Direct Injection
Transmission	9 Speed Automatic	6 Speed Automatic	9 Speed Automatic	6 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic
Horsepower	287 hp@ 6400rpm	283 hp@ 6400rpm	280 hp@ 6000rpm	287 hp@	276 hp@ 6000rpm
Torque	262 ft-lbs@ 4000rpm	260 ft-lbs@ 4400rpm	262 ft-lbs@ 4700rpm	254 lb-ft	248 ft-lbs@ 5200rpm

The Chrysler Pacifica Minivan is packed by one of the most powerful engines in the segment. Merely for the purpose of judgment, the Pacifica is the most powerful minivan in the segment along with Ford Flex.

Acceleration

Chrysler Pacifica can get you to paces with no problems, however, a little bit of heavy footedness is required to get the engine running. Owing to a slow and somewhat laggy 9-speed auto, the car manages a 0-60 mph timing of 7.4 secs which is not terrible considering you are driving a minivan, after all.

Not the fastest minivan you can drive around, but the utilitarian is enough to get you in the grooves of highway speeds in under 16 secs. However, there are cars like Honda Odyssey that can do it faster, but faster isn’t surely better. 

Models	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE	Kia Sedona L minivan
0-60 MPH	7.4 sec	6.7 sec	6.6 sec	7.0 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter mile	15.6 sec	15.2 sec	15 sec	16.8 sec	16.1 sec
Engine	3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.5L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.5L V6 Ti-VCT	3.3L V6 Gasoline Direct Injection
Emission  (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.0	8.9	8.0	9.2	8.4

The quickest car in competition is the Honda Odyssey which sways up from rest to a speed of 60 mph in 6.6 seconds only. Then comes the Ford Flex with its competing 7 second acceleration. Kia Sedona is the possible lager in the group if you speak regarding acceleration.

Ride and Handling

Driving a Pacifica almost makes you forget that you are handling a family-sized minivan, the car feels in supreme control at all times. Making smooth turns and maneuvers is not a task at hand that might make anyone thoughtful while driving. Independent MacPherson strut in the front and Rear Independent twist-blade with coil springs combine to make sure that you stay relaxed even on the roughest of roads. The car weighs almost half a ton (~4600 lbs.) but still, the body roll is limited and acing the trickiest of corner won’t feel like a task either.

Pacific flaunts a pleasantly smooth and calm ride, even with the bigger 20-inch wheels indicated. The steering wheel is well-weighted, however, street input is absolutely nonexistent. The V6 feels solid off the line if you push the accelerator pedal sufficiently far to keep the nine-speed transmission from upshifting. The transmission moves into high riggings rapidly and is reluctant to downshift when you require more power, yet upshifts aren't as herky-jerky as in those different autos.

Braking

A good car is one that stops when required, and Yes, Pacifica is a good one at it. With ABS and Brake Assist as standard features, the Pacifica comes to complete halt within 119 ft of braking from the more desirable highway speed of 60 mph.

Fitted with 13 inch vented and solid rotors in the front and the rear respectively, braking in case of emergency situations might not be very difficult keeping in mind that car already has some passive safety features as standard. 

Model	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE	Kia Sedona L minivan
Brake Front (in.)	13	11.9	12.6	12.8	12.6
Brake Rear (in.)	13	12	13	13.0	11.9
Curb Weight (lbs.)r	4330	4510	4354	4637	4411
60-0 MPH (ft.)	119	N/A	N/A	125	118

Kia Sedona, on the other hand, has the best braking performance. It has high curb weight as compared but still amazes by its performance by coming to rest in just 118 ft. Rivals like the Dodge Grand Caravan and  Ford Flex don’t administer a comparable competitive vibe.

Pacifica can be revered as the class leader when it comes to the real-world gas mileage figures. However, cars like Odyssey and Kia Sedona travel similar miles for each gallon. What makes the crown away from every car in the segment is the Pacifica Hybrid with a combined gas mpg of 32.

If fuel economy is the deal-breaker for you, It’s better that you go for the Hybrid or even the gas-fueled Pacifica which delivers a combined gas mileage of 28.

Model	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE	Kia Sedona L minivan
MPG (city)	18	17	19	16	18
MPG (highway)	28	25	28	23	24
MPG (combined)	22	20	22	19	21
Range (city/highway)	342/532	340/500	371/546	298/428	380/506
Tank Capacity (gal)	19.0	20.0	19.5	18.6	21.1

The Chrysler Pacifica Minivan fetches a fuel economy of 18 MPG (city), 28 MPG (highway) and 22 MPG (combined). Although most of its competitors succeed in getting around the same numbers but still not exactly the same which gives this car an upper hand over others.

If cars were named after their qualities, the Pacifica can be rechristened as ‘Seating and Comfort’, as it is just that you are in for. With spacious wide bucket seats and enough legroom even for the taller members of your family, the Pacifica makes for an excellent road tripping vehicle. You get clothed bucket seats on the lower trims, however, when you move up with the trims, the seats transform into perforated leather and then to Nappa leather seats in the top trim i.e. Limited.

The Pacifica is not just designed keeping families in mind but is directed towards all kinds of customers. The car offers a plush and spacious seating experience. The car offers comfort for people of all heights and sizes except some of the taller NBA center forwards.

The car can comfortably fit 7 passengers, however, one can opt for the 8-Passenger arrangement as well. The seats in the second row have multiple functions, you can bend the seat down for easy access to the third row or you can fold the seats and stow them into the floor. The Stow-n-Go is one unique feature that is exclusive only to the gas-fueled Pacifica. However, the space in the rear might make it difficult for 3 adults to fit and feel comfortable.

Model	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE	Kia Sedona L minivan
Passenger capacity	7	7	7	7	7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.1/63.8/41.1	39.8/63.7/40.7	40.7/63.1/40.9	41.8/58.4/42.6	39.8/63.9/40.9
Second  (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.6/63.0/39.0	39.3/64.1/36.5	39.5/61.6/40.9	40.5/58.1/44.3	39.4/63.1/41.1

Compared to the competition, the Pacifica offers more comfort with bucket seats and more space, even if only by a few centimeters. Chrysler has also made sure that no compromises are made with the seating, even after the tri-pane panoramic sunroof fitted. As you move from the front to the back, space consistently drops, with an exception of the second-row seats in the 7-Passenger seat being some of the most comfortable seats in the car with reclining function.

Interior Features-

• 8 Passenger Seating
• Heated and ventilated seats
• Power folding third-row bench
• Regular or Napa leather
• Dual screen rear entertainment 
• Integrated hand vacuum
• 2 Additional Key Fobs (Fleet)
• Alloy Seats
• Uconnect 4C Navigation With 8.4" Display
• Single Rear Overhead DVD System

Infotainment System

The Chrysler Pacifica is a complete car, which becomes more evident when you look at the whole infotainment system in the car. The Pacifica comes packed with technology that is bound to make all your drives interesting. A Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system with a 5-inch touchscreen, six-speaker stereo are among the standard features. While Bluetooth, USB port (Front and Rear Seats), Uconnect Access, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are also a part of the standard package.

While some of these features are deal makers for some, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Chrysler has totally changed the game with Pacifica being a front-runner in the minivan segment. Some of the most interesting features are also unique to Pacifica, while there’s no other car that offers similar features in the same budget.

However, you can upgrade to different optional infotainment systems on the Pacifica. We recommend you to choose the 8.4-inch screen with capacitive touch, the screen changes the whole experience in the car. The trims upwards of Touring L also get two 10 inch touch screens for the second-row passenger which can also be controlled from the entertainment console in the front seat.

Cargo volume

The Pacifica falls short when you talk about cargo capacity, the cars seem to be slacker in the segment with just 32 ft³ of space with all the seats up. However, Chrysler has cleverly taken care of the issue with a stow-n-go feature that is only exclusive to the gas-fueled Pacifica.

The Stow-n-go lets fold all the seats in the second and third-row and fit them into the car’s running board under the mats. The setting makes space for almost 141 ft³ of luggage. However, the Hybrid version doesn’t come with stow-no-go as the engineers need the space for fitting batteries. 

Model	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE	Kia Sedona L minivan
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	140.5	140.3	158.0	83.2	142.0

Cargo space offered in Chrysler Pacifica Minivan is the least in the segment. Although it is the biggest car in competition in terms of exterior dimensions, it fails to impress when it comes to interior spaciousness and cargo spacing. Honda Odyssey, on the other hand, proves to be the car with the largest cargo space; offering 158.0 cubic feet of space when the second and third-row seats are collapsed. 

Every minivan in the US market feels almost identical which makes the task of choosing one out of the lot, all the more difficult. However, a longer, wider and taller Pacifica makes sure that you make the most out of the interior space with the best exterior shape and dimension.

Where the Pacifica falls down is the Ground clearance (i.e. 5.1 inches) but this isn’t a vehicle that you’d want to take off-road unless you have a cabin in the woods. The premium looking curvaceous character and flared front fascia makes sure that you are spotted with a statement even while driving amongst the more contemporary and cognate minivans in the segment.

If that is not enough, the doors get activated with just a push on the knob. While the tri-pane panoramic sunroof makes sure that enough light reaches inside the Pacifica making it feel more ambient and spacious. 

Model	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE	Kia Sedona L minivan
Curb weight (lbs.)	4330	4510	4354	4637	4411
Length(in)	203.8	202.8	203.2	201.8	201.4
Width(in)	79.6	78.7	78.5	75.9	78.1
Height(in)	69.9	68.9	68.3	68.0	68.5
Ground clearance (in)	5.1	5.8	4.5	6.0	6.7
Wheelbase (in)	121.6	121.2	118.1	117.9	120.5
Track width (in) F/R	68.3/68.3j	65.6/64.8	67.3/67.2	65.4/65.4	68.7/69

Chrysler Pacifica Minivan is the biggest car in competition, measuring 203.6 inches in length, 79.6 inches in width and 69.9 inches in height, none of its competitors is even close to these numbers. Although it offers relatively less ground clearance, this fact can be neglected over its other dimensions. Its closest competitor is the Honda Odyssey which measures 202.9 inches in length, is 79.2 inches wide and 68.4 inches high.

Exterior Features

• MOPAR Protective Clear Film
• Inflatable Spare Tire Kit W/Sealant
• MOPAR Running Boards/Splash Guards
• MOPAR Splash Guards - Vehicle Set
• Tri-Pane Panoramic Sunroof
• 20 ``x 7.5" Aluminum Black Noise Wheels

The Chrysler Pacifica is available with a long list of active and passive safety features, which have helped the car get 5 stars from NHTSA. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also awarded the car with Top Safety Pick+.

Features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors with rear automated emergency braking standard across the lineup. You can also opt for front automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, and a lane-keeping assist among other safety features

• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Rear parking sensors
• Cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-keep assist
• Automatic high beams 
• Semi-autonomous parking 
• 360 degree camera system

Chrysler Pacifica Vs. Honda Odyssey

From the word go, the Chrysler Pacifica has far better ride quality than the Odyssey. And minivans are expected to have such an impressive trait. Both the companies get close to toes with each other for the expertise they have, building this particular car segment. But we just want you to choose the best one for you. Now there's something where Honda excels and its transmission.

Where Chrysler takes all its time to shift, clunking and slotting a gear and then catching the pace. The Honda is far more swift in getting up to speeds with the smoother shifting gearbox. In comparison to the Pacifica, the Odyssey is more nimble and child-friendly. But, one thing which is missing in Honda is the Stow ‘n Go seats. It’s a difficult choice, however, the Pacifica carries something with its layout. 

Chrysler Pacifica Vs. Kia Sedona

Kia Sedona is the cheapest car in the segment and is equipped with the least displacement engine. Despite this fact, it manages to produce a fair amount of torque and power. Talking about acceleration, it is one of the slowest cars in competition but not as slow as Chrysler Pacifica Minivan. Braking performance of Kia Sedona is best in class as it takes 125 ft, to come to rest, unlike its opponent which covers a massive distance of 131 ft.

The Chrysler Pacifica Minivan is the most fuel-efficient car whereas it opponent being the greatest fuel sipper. Chrysler Pacifica Minivan has more spacious and hi-tech interiors than the Kia Sedona and is equipped with better safety and infotainment features. Hence, between these two cars, Chrysler Pacifica Minivan is the better choice.

The Chrysler Pacifica scores well on all grounds. However, there might be few issues that might come across as deal-breakers. But on ground and paper, this is one of the best minivans that you score in the price range. The Chrysler Pacifica Minivan is packed with plenty of safety techs and features. It has brilliant interior features and smartly placed control knobs and buttons. Overall, Chrysler Pacifica Minivan is a total traveling car than can accommodate a good number of people, is powerful, fuel economic and pays value for money.

Pacifica has become one serious point of consideration in the minivan space. The only downsides we fell are lack of cargo capacity, ground clearance (comparatively) and low towing capacity. If you can live with these, you have your near-perfect minivan for the year 2020 and beyond.