2022 Chrysler Pacifica Review: The Mother Of All Minivans
The world of the minivan is an enchanting and wondrous place, filled with the hopes and dreams of junior soccer stars, and quiz-night A-teams. The Chrysler Pacifica has managed to capture the hearts, minds, and stomachs of the American minivan market for well over a decade thanks to its smartly packaged interior, strong performing engines, gentle ride, and excellent safety standards, and for 2022 the recipe is tweaked. With 287 horsepower, a low seven-second zero to sixty sprint time, and a 22 mpg combined fuel consumption figure, the Pacifica is a strong performer in the suburbs and on the highway, and it will keep you safe too, with its standard blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assistance. Inside, the Pacifica offers a premium experience, which becomes truly luxurious when you step into the more expensive models. Starting at $35,820, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica goes up against the Honda Odyssey and brand-new Toyota Sienna for the title of the best minivan in America.
2022 Pacifica Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 204.3 in | 121.6 in | 69.9 in | 79.6 in | 68.3 in | 68.3 in | 4,521.0 lbs |
2022 Pacifica Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Most buying the Pacifica, or any similar type of car would only care whether it can go forward, backward, left, and right. We're happy to announce that the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica can do all of these things. Seriously though, the Pacifica's independent MacPherson struts in the front and twist-blade coil-spring setup in the rear deliver a smooth ride with the normal-duty suspension, but the more compliant touring suspension soaks up bumps and road imperfections as well as cars many times its price. The Pacifica will hold its own through the twisty stuff, displaying minimal body roll for a minivan, but pushing too hard will see this people transporter understeer to the outside of the corner. Steering is light, perfect for the daily commute, but the nose can be pointed with reasonable accuracy. For what the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica was designed to do - to transport large amounts of people and their stuff - the Pacifica is an overachiever; it drives beautifully and feels more like a large sedan than an old-school minivan. On slippery or snowy surfaces, the AWD versions' added traction makes them the top choices in the range. AWD engages automatically when needed without the driver needing to do anything, and up to 100 percent engine torque can be sent to the rear wheels.
2022 Pacifica Interior
2022 Pacifica Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica A Good Minivan?
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out why the Chrysler Pacifica has become one of America's favorite minivans. Attractive exterior styling that doesn't break the mold, but stands out from the more dull-looking competitors, combined with solid performance and a well-designed and -built interior results in an overall package that's terribly hard to ignore when you're shopping in this class. The naturally aspirated V6 engine and automatic gearbox offer enough performance to make city driving and highway hauling a relaxed experience, all while returning very respectable gas mileage. The ride and handling are just as impressive; the Pacifica feels like a floating cloud at low-speed driving but manages more aggressive driving and quick direction changes better than most. AWD improves security in slippery conditions and finally gives the Pacifica the upper hand against the Toyota Sienna, which has long been the only minivan to offer AWD. Inside, the cabin quality and layout are class-leading, and the multitude of different seating layouts adds to its overall practicality as a people and cargo mover. The Pacifica is also great at keeping its passengers safe. A competitive starting price, substantially improved equipment levels for 2022, and a decent warranty seal the deal; the Pacifica is one hell of a minivan.
2022 Chrysler Pacifica Comparisons
2022 Chrysler Pacifica vs Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey has been a staple of the American minivan market since the mid-nineties, and still enjoys a strong fanbase. For 2022, the fifth-generation Odyssey, introduced in 2018, gets its power in the form of a 280 hp, 262 lb-ft 3.5-liter V6, which sends its power to the front wheels via a more modern ten-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is measured at 19/28/22 mpg, matching the Pacifica. The exterior styling of the Odyssey is arguably less attractive than that of the Pacifica. The interior of the Odyssey offers similar amounts of space. Still, you get slightly more trunk space, and the overall interior design is modern and well put together. A Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS puts it on equal footing with the Pacifica, and a starting price of only $32,290 makes this minivan an attractive option.
2022 Chrysler Pacifica vs Toyota Sienna
The fourth-generation Toyota Sienna is brand-new and the all-hybrid range no longer offers V6 power. Its 2.5-liter inline-four and hybrid assistance produce less power and worse performance, but fuel economy is in a different league and far and away the best in class. However, the Sienna cannot touch the Pacifica's Stow 'n Go seats and its second row cannot be removed either. The new Sienna might have run the 2021 Pacifica close, but the 2022 model has been improved so much that it still fends off the Japanese challenger, especially because AWD is available across the board. On top of it all, you don't have to go Sienna if you want a hybrid. The Pacifica also offers a great one. We review the Pacifica Hybrid separately.