Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Specs: 260 hp. 3.5 Liter V6 with eFlite dual-motor electrically variable transmission (EVT).

MPG: 25 as observed in mixed driving

Price as tested: $45,000

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Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi

Pictures: FCA

Ah the poor ole minivan.  No one ever gets excited over it’s purchase.  It is purchased out of necessity rather than desire.  Regardless of it’s utilitarian aspect…it is the backbone of the American Family…at least it was.  The advent of the three row crossover, made the necessary purchase into one of desire and with that changed the course of automotive history.  

Purely style over substance, the crossover gives the much needed self esteem boost when shuffling the family to and fro.  Oh of course a minivan fits people, cargo and things much better and offers much better economy but style wins.  It made the family vehicle purchase an emotional one rather than one made out of necessity.  

But the minivan has clung on to dear life and models such as the Sienna, Odyssey and the Pacifica still sell.  The Japanese variants lean heavily toward oddly angular styling treatments and weirder still interior appointments.  Oh sure they work well but there is nothing graceful or even uniform with the aesthetics.  It’s like both of their designers had a decree ‘make this not boring’ so they took out their rulers got to work.  Literally.  Rulers.  I dare you to find more than 2 curves in either vehicle.  

The Pacifica, on the other hand, is different.  It’s been with us for a few years now but compared to the Vulcan inspired Japanese designs, the Pacifica looks damn near graceful.  Actually screw that.  I’ll go on record to say, no matter what it is put against, overall the Pacifica is just a good looking vehicle inside and out.  So much in fact, no other minivan has elicited the following from my week of driving: 

‘’if I had to buy a van…this would be it’’.  All of those quotes are from current three row crossover owners.  The Pacifica is everything a modern minivan should be.  It’s stylish, comfortable, genuinely fun(ish) to drive and absurdly practical.  It also does what a minivan is meant to do…it just makes your life easier.  

This Hybrid variant got 25 mpg in our week of testing!  In a 5000 vehicle.  On a sheer engineering front it’s not just impressive it’s outstanding.  Passing power is plentiful and believe it or not, hustling this thing around corners is not bad at all.  I’m hesitant to say fun but when I reviewed the standard Pacifica a few years back with the 20 inch wheels…there was some giggling involved.  All in all, the chassis is nailed down along with the ride and the NVH.  

Let’s break it down for ya!

The Great:  I’ll just go on record and just say it.  This thing looks great.  No matter what powertrain you choose, Pacifica never feels underpowered, passing power is plentiful and actually sounds pretty good to boot.  Handling wise…this is the best handling minivan on the market.  Actually, this will put some crossovers to shame in the handling department as well.  Interior wise…class leading.  It’s modern, fresh, bright and easy to use.  Great sight lines and comfortable, bright and just a joy to sit in. Lovely job FCA. Just plain lovely! 

The Good:  Honestly…nothing is good.  Everything that is good is actually great.  So read above.

The Bad:  $45k as tested price and no LED headlights.  Or HIDs.  What in the actual eff?

The Ugly:  Trying to sell your friends and family into the fact that you are excited over a minivan.  They won’t believe you until you plop them into this.  Then, trust me on this, they will be sold.

The uhhh overall?  Chrysler pioneered the minivan market back in the 80s, lead the way in the 90s, lost a bit of it’s luster in the 2000s but for this decade, they are back on top.  The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica is the best minivan on the market today.  Nope. Scratch that. This is the best family vehicle on the market today.