Chrysler trades functionality for frugality in the world's first plug-in hybrid minivan.
If you ignore the plug-in port on the front driver-side fender and the hybrid pages buried in the back of the Uconnect infotainment system, you’d never know this was anything but your standard Pacifica. Until, that is, you try to use the famous “Stow ‘n' Go” seats that set the Pacifica apart from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. A 16.0kWh lithium-ion battery pack beneath the floor means there’s no room for such luxuries here, although the rear seats still fold flat to open up the minivan's 140.5 cubic feet of total storage.
The Pacifica Hybrid starts with the new Touring Plus trim, skipping over the L and LX trims from the gasoline model. That means you start with standard luxuries like 3-zone auto climate control, auto headlights, LED taillights, heated mirrors, and keyless entry and ignition. Front seats get power, and the sliding doors operate with the touch of a button, whether they're open or closed. You also get a 6-speaker stereo with HD and satellite radio, Bluetooth, and voice commands, plus a USB port and Auxiliary jack. And to combat visibility issues, the Pacifica Hybrid comes standard with a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors.
Move up to the Touring L and you’ll be treated to a standard power liftgate that's optional for the Touring, remote engine start, heat for the front seats, window shades for the second and third rows, roof rails, an upgraded center console, and leather.
You can spec a Touring L with a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an overhead display screen and DVD player, but with the top-tier Limited trim—which Chrysler was kind enough to send along for this test—that system is upgraded with dual seatback screens and a Blu-ray player. The Limited also gets you hands-free operation for the sliding doors and liftgate, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and auto high beams and wipers. The leather upholstery is better, too, and the second and third rows get USB ports, plus a conventional outlet. Additionally, Chrysler provides the Limited with a second “KeySense” fob that allows you to set limits on speed, volume, and radio channels, and it lets owners lock in all driver safety systems. That’s a lot to look forward to for the Limited's $44,995 starting price, but there are options you can add. If you want to pay for added safety, the Advanced SafetyTec Group gets you adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and auto brake, a 360-degree camera, plus front parking sensors, lane-departure warning, and an automated parallel- and perpendicular-parking feature for $995, while a panoramic sunroof will tack another $1,595 onto the price, and 18-inch alloys add another $895. My Pacifica came with all of this. Add the $1,095 destination charge, and the drive-away price on my Hybrid Limited came to $49,575.
The Pacifica's standard 3.6-liter V6 has been heavily modified for extra efficiency with different pistons, camshafts, and valves, as well as increased compression and an Atkinson timing cycle. This means a slight drop in total horsepower down to 260. You won’t notice it, however, thanks to dual electric motors paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), meaning power is immediately on tap right from the start. Even more important, acceleration between 50 and 70 miles per hour actually outpaces the gasoline version for effortless highway passing.
Charging the battery via the 6.6kW onboard charger will take 14 hours on a standard outlet or just two if you use a 240-volt outlet designed for larger appliances. With a full charge, you’re looking at more than 30 miles of electric-only operation. One caveat: Most plug-in hybrids have an “electric-only” mode you can select, but here it’s determined solely by your right foot. If you’re not careful, it’s very easy to give the Pacifica the business and end up starting the gasoline engine when you meant to stay on electric power.
The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain isn’t the smoothest I’ve experienced in a hybrid setup, but it inserts itself into the proceedings with relative grace. That said, while the EPA estimates that the gasoline-only operation will net a combined 32 mpg, I could never get it to go over 21 mpg in my long test loop of varied driving conditions. That’s more than a little disappointing, especially considering how much of my testing was in stop-and-go conditions—where the hybrid is supposed to shine.
Don’t think Stow ‘n' Go seating is the only thing you’re sacrificing with the Hybrid, either. A gasoline-powered Pacifica can tow up to 3,600 pounds. The Hybrid? Well, Chrysler recommends you limit your towing to… nothing. Yup, nothing. That matters. Most families can’t afford a wholly separate vehicle for towing, especially if that vehicle doesn’t allow them to carry the whole family to wherever they're towing that boat or camper.
The hybrid features other small changes that can lead to some big annoyances. The built-in vacuum cleaner that everyone loves so much? For some reason, it's not available in the hybrid. And I hope you like second-row captain’s chairs, because they’re the only available setup in the hybrid, meaning it's limited to 7 passengers. Otherwise, things are just as practical and easy to use as in any minivan, with an extra bit of luxury in the Limited I tested, thanks to its upgraded leather and active noise control.
Technology gets an extra bump this year thanks to the Pacifica's standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert systems and an updated Uconnect system that now offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. That’s added to an already stout list of tech standards like Bluetooth with voice command, HD and satellite radio with USB and Aux inputs, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and ambient lighting. Technically, we could add the auto headlights, power sliding doors, and keyless entry and ignition to this list, depending on how much of a completist you are, but it’s not until the upper trims that the tech really starts to take over.
A navigation system with 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity and a backseat entertainment system can be ordered, which will get you an overhead display for a DVD player. But to get the dual seatback screens and the Blu-ray player with wireless streaming for Android devices, you’ll need to jump up to the Limited trim. While you’re there, you’ll be treated to additional tech upgrades like a 20-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning with auto emergency braking, a 360-degree parking camera, and an automatic parking system that works for both parallel and perpendicular parking.
The Limited also comes with a separate key fob that allows you to set limits for valets and teen drivers while making sure that all driver safety systems and aids remain active. Chrysler calls it “KeySense.” With it, you’ll be able to set maximum speeds and volume levels, as well as restrict satellite stations. It’s a standard feature on the Limited, but it is available as an option for the lower trims as well.
As mentioned earlier, the Pacifica Hybrid starts with standard safety like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a rear-view camera, and rear parking sensors, and builds to the Limited’s full suite of adaptive cruise control with full stop-and-go capability, front parking sensors, lane-departure warning and intervention, and a forward-collision warning system with automatic emergency braking. Thanks to this, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the Pacifica Hybrid its highest rating of Good in all tests except the small overlap front passenger side test and the headlight test, in which it received an Acceptable rating in its lower trims. The Pacifica also received a Marginal rating for the ease of use of the child-seat anchors. Likewise, the government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests resulted in a 5-star rating for every category but rollover, for which the Pacifica Hybrid scored 4 stars.
It should also be noted that the Hybrid’s batteries add more than 500 pounds to the Pacifica’s curb weight, which results in increased braking distances. Some testing has seen increases of 20 feet or more from 70 mph, and while I was unable to independently verify those distances, I can tell you that repeated hard braking did result in noticeable brake fade.
My understanding is that CSO radio sells a seat that can be added to a gasoline version of the Pacifica using bolts that already exist in between the two captains chairs. A dealer told me service manual states bolts are there on hybrid as well. Can anyone verify that the bolts are the same for both hybrid and gasoline versions and that a middle seat could be added in the second row?
Need to go to the best dealership, we did along Baltimore National Pike and now I cannot find it Howard County, MD
Contacted many dealers over the last week. Cargurus recognized that I contacted most of them and allows me to leave reviews for them. The one dealership that I need to leave a review for because it was so unbelievable isn't being recognized as me having contacted them.
How much is it to ship car from east coast to west coast?
How much would the trade-in value be diminished if the vehicle (a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica EHybrid limited) had sustained $4,000 of damage to the rear hatch and bumper, but had been professionally repaired?
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones · Second and third row rear heat vents
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.0 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brake width: 0.47 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: dual front · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: urethane
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Easy entry: manual rear seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 8
Engine
Battery: 650 CCA · EV battery capacity: 16 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 114 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 85 · Electric Motor Torque: 231 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 2 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 33 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 220 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5050 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 235 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 3700
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: body-color · Side door type: dual power sliding · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2 · Number of third row headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 8.4 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in. · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: removable bucket
Roof
OEM roof height: undefined
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point · Third row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: fold flat into floor · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row headrests: adjustable · Third row seat folding: fold flat into floor · Upholstery: cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.2 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.1
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Third Row Seat
Type: 40-60 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones · Second and third row rear heat vents
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.0 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brake width: 0.47 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: dual front · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Easy entry: manual rear seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: in dash · Sunshade: side window · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 8
Engine
Battery: 650 CCA · EV battery capacity: 16 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 114 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 85 · Electric Motor Torque: 231 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 2 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 33 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 220 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5050 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 235 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 3700
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: body-color · Side door type: dual power sliding · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2 · Number of third row headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Uconnect · Infotainment screen size: 8.4 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in. · Warnings and reminders: low washer fluid
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: removable bucket
Roof
OEM roof height: undefined · Roof rack color: chrome · Roof rails: chrome
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: rear · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point · Third row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: fold flat into floor · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row headrests: adjustable · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: perforated
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.2 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.1
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Third Row Seat
Type: 40-60 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones · Second and third row rear heat vents
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Third row side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Premium Brand: Alpine · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 506 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.0 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brake width: 0.47 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: dual front · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: manual rear seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: accessory hook · Sunshade: side window · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 8
Engine
Battery: 650 CCA · EV battery capacity: 16 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 114 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 85 · Electric Motor Torque: 231 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 2 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 33 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 220 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5050 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 235 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 3700
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: chrome · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: body-color · Side door type: dual power sliding · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2 · Number of third row headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: SiriusXM Travel Link · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 8.4 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: quad headlights · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: removable bucket
Roof
OEM roof height: undefined · Roof rack color: chrome · Roof rails: chrome
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: rear · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front, rear, third, and fourth row · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point · Third row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: 4-way power lumbar · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: fold flat into floor · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row headrests: adjustable · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.2 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.1
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: SiriusXM Guardian · Smart device app function: horn/light operation
Third Row Seat
Type: 40-60 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: polished aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer