2024 Chrysler Pacifica

The starting price of the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica is quite reasonable, with the Touring selling for $38,425, while the Touring L goes for $42,085. It's another large jump up to the Limited at $49,355. At the top of the lineup, the Pinnacle will cost you $55,210. Aside from the entry-level model, all models can be upgraded to all-wheel drive for $2,995. Every plug-in hybrid trim comes with AWD as standard, starting with the Select at $53,425 MSRP. After that, the S Appearance and Road Tripper are nearly identical in price at $55,725 and $55,925, respectively. The Premium S Appearance sells for $59,225, and the Hybrid Pinaccle tops the range at $62,155. These figures do not account for the $1,595 destination charge.

If you're happy with a new Chrysler Pacifica gas-only minivan, then the Touring L is the sweet spot in the lineup with leather seating and more advanced driver-assistance tech, along with the full Uconnect infotainment suite. Similarly, when buying the Pacifica hybrid, you'll want to upgrade to at least the S Appearance, as it adds the Safety Sphere with a surround-view camera and both front and rear parking assist.

The minivans of old were somewhat dull affairs, but the Chrysler Pacifica proves that you can cram loads of people into a stylish environment. High-quality materials and good build quality are key components of this. The infotainment screen is mounted in the very center of the dashboard and bordered by stylish air vents, while the gear dial and climate controls are located just below. There is a good amount of space and there is a definite focus on function and comfort over form, though the upper trim levels do feel quite premium.

The whole point of a minivan is to seat as many people as possible in a comfortable cabin. To this end, there interior space of the Pacifica can be configured in over 200 ways, meaning you can choose exactly how many seats you want and where they are located. At most, it can accommodate eight passengers, and while the third row may feel a little cramped for larger folks, teens or small adults should be comfy over mid-length journeys. Unsurprisingly, the first two rows are extremely spacious. The driver's seat is power-adjustable so finding a good position isn't hard. However, the minivan is very long and broad, so side and rear visibility aren't the best.

While SUVs may be the go-to option when it comes to hauling loads of luggage, the new Chrysler Pacifica minivan is no slouch either. Behind the rear-most seats, you still get 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space to work with. Very few daily activities should require more than this, but if they do, you can fold down the third row for a whopping 87.5 cu-ft. If you need to move house completely, the Chrysler can emulate a work van by folding down all but the front-row seats to create a 140.5-cube loading area. There are also a number of small-item storage solutions inside the cabin, such as a glove compartment, a center armrest cubby, and several cupholders, but the sliding rear doors mean you don't get as many door pockets.

Chrysler dresses the Pacifica in high-quality outfits, with premium cloth being the most basic. This is present only in the Touring trim, but the only color is a Black/Alloy combination. The Touring L and the first half of the plug-in lineup make use of Caprice leatherette in the same hue. Genuine leather then becomes the norm inside the Limited and Premium S Appearance models, but it is only once you reach the Pinnacle trims that more interior colors unlock. This is specifically the Black/Sepia color scheme that goes with the quilted Nappa leather upholstery. Sadly, the rest of the interior trimmings are nothing to write home about. There are no wood accents along the center console or dash, and some hard plastics are visible even at the top trims.

Designed to move large numbers of people in relative comfort, the Pacifca needs to come with a decent list of features. As standard, this comprises a power-adjustable driver's seat, easy-fold second and third-row seats, tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The infotainment centers around a 10.1-inch touchscreen programmed with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth streaming. The standard sound system has six speakers spread through the cabin. For the next set of significant improvements, you need to upgrade to the Limited or the Premium S Appearance for the hybrids. This gets you a tri-pane panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats. The paltry sound system is also upgraded to a 19-speaker Harman Kardon setup, and additional infotainment features include in-car Wi-Fi and SiriusXM Guardian Connected Services. Rounding out the offering, the Pinnacle trims boast a FamCam cabin camera, a Uconnect theater entertainment system, and a wireless charger.

Like the minivans of yesteryear, the Chrysler Pacifica uses a V6 engine, displacing 3.6 liters of gasoline to make 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The same engine is used in the plug-in hybrid models, though in a detuned state and paired with two electric motors for a combined 260 hp. The gas models have a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive, while the hybrids use an electrically variable transmission and come with the otherwise optional all-wheel drivetrain.

Both powertrains are capable, though neither is particularly lively. It takes around seven seconds for the Chrysler Pacifica to go from 0-60 mph, or half a second more for the hybrids. Despite its size and sedate acceleration, the Pacifica handles surprisingly well, with precise steering and controlled body roll. It's not sporty and the transmission can be a little finicky, but it has enough power to enable a towing capacity of 3,600 pounds, at least in its gas configuration.

Minivans aren't small or light, so good gas mileage is a rarity. Nevertheless, the Chrysler Pacifica manages 17/25/20 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles with the gas engine only. That's not terrible. The plug-in powertrain boasts a far more impressive 82 MPGe or 30 mpg combined when the battery is depleted. When fully charged, the battery can see the Pacifica travel for 32 miles, and it takes around 12 hours to recharge on a Level 1 outlet. With a fuel capacity of 19 gallons, the gas model has a range of 380 miles, while the hybrid manages 550 miles with its 16.5-gallon tank.

The most recent safety review of the Chrysler Pacifica was performed in 2023, with both the NHTSA and IIHS giving it near-perfect scores. The NHTSA found it slightly lacking in rollover tests, while the IIHS marked it as Marginal for moderate overlap front. This means that it lost its Top Safety Pick+ status from 2022.

The standard safety features include full-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking assist with a reverse camera. This is on top of the regular passive systems like ABS, stability control, and eight airbags. Upper trims expand upon this with front parking sensors, Park Assist with automatic stop, parallel and perpendicular park assist, and a surround-view camera.

While there have been no recalls for 2024, the Chrysler Pacifica has mediocre reliability ratings of 71 out of 100, according to a consumer survey performed by J.D. Power. This is reflected by three recalls issued in 2023 for a deformed fuel line, an unexpected engine shutdown from an electrical short, and a battery post that may short circuit and cause a fire. Every 2024 Chrysler Pacifica gets a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The hybrid components in models that have them are covered for ten years/150,000 miles.

Modern minivans look very sharp and sophisticated, and the Pacifica's smoothly sloping hood leads down to a reserved grille that beats the brand's wing logo. The LED headlights sit on the very edges of the front fascia, slightly separated from the grille. There are also LED foglights lower down in the bumper. All models come with power-sliding side doors for easy access, and wheels range from 17 inches on the base model to 20 inches on the upper-most trims. Some models have slightly different exterior elements, such as the premium front fascia with black grille surround on the Hybrid S Appearance, while the Road Tr ipper has Granite crystal exterior accents and trim-specific graphics. Pinnacle trims boast chrome accents around the grille, headlight bezels, moldings, and mirror caps.

There are not many minivans left in the USA. but the few people who still buy them have specific expectations. The 2024 Pacifica manages to meet almost all of these with its spacious interior, excellent safety suite, and surprisingly car-like driving dynamics. Even the gas engine is relatively frugal, but the hybrid is extremely efficient, and the cabin quality is good no matter which trim you go for. Unfortunately, all of this comes at a cost, and some buyers may not be willing to foot the bill for what is arguably one of the best cars in the segment.