Going back as far as 1984 with the debut of the Dodge Caravan, Chrysler ruled the family-hauling roost for many years. But the march of time proved challenging, as knockoffs from Honda and Toyota surpassed the original. Now, Chrysler is back with a vengeance. Packing style, a roomy and versatile interior, and high levels of technology, the latest Chrysler minivan is a more compelling vehicle than the lackluster model it replaces. In terms of driving dynamics and functionality, it’s now every bit as good as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.
Despite the shrinking audience for minivans and the reality that three-row SUVs have become common family staples, nothing beats a minivan for pure out-and-out room, versatility, and family-friendly functionality.
The Pacifica is one of the quickest minivans out there, benefiting from a diet (it weighs 150 pounds less than the previous van) and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Yet it gets 21 mpg overall, leapfrogging the previous van's gluttonous 17 mpg. (Note that modern SUVs can match that 21-mpg figure, and they have all-wheel drive, which the Chrysler and Honda lack.)
The plug-in hybrid version is the most fuel-efficient minivan currently on the market, delivering a stellar 27 mpg overall when it runs as a hybrid. It can also travel about 30 miles purely on electric power, making it a potential game-changer. It takes 2¼ hours on a 240-volt connection to fully charge the battery, and 12 hours using a standard household power outlet. This is the greenest minivan available.
The Pacifica breaks new ground when it comes to how well a minivan can drive. Tackling corners, the big Chrysler responds like a good midsized sedan rather than the living room on wheels that it essentially is. The well-tuned suspension keeps the body from bobbing down the highway while supplying good insulation from road bumps. Keeping a cavernous minivan quiet inside can be a challenge, but the Pacifica's interior proves hushed, aided by standard active noise cancellation. The Hybrid is even quieter.
In terms of people and cargo hauling, the Pacifica earns its keep, packing in many clever ideas. Available in seven- or eight-seat configurations, it retains Chrysler-exclusive Stow 'n Go second-row seating. Making room to haul bulky or flat cargo simply requires folding the seats into big storage cubbies hidden in the floor; other vans force you to wrestle the heavy second-row seats out of the vehicle. The downside is that these second-row seats aren't as cushy and accommodating as in most other minivans.
Tug one seat-top lever and the second-row seat pitches and slides forward, letting you climb into the third row. This can be done even with a LATCH-installed child seat in the outbound seats, although with varying degrees of success. Third-row occupants likely won't mind clambering to their seats, given the room they have once they sit down.
But the hybrid version has seating only for seven. In addition, the Hybrid is missing Chrysler's handy Stow 'n Go feature. Instead, you get two removable seats with extra padding that are more comfortable.
Storage space abounds. Drawers and cubbies fill the center dashboard and console, and there’s room available in the underfloor bins. A deep well behind the third-row seat fits plenty of luggage, even with all of the seats in use.
While minivan interiors tend to feel somewhat industrial, higher-trim Pacificas evoke a business jet ambience, with swanky-looking stitched padded materials and leather. The optional Uconnect 8.4 touch screen infotainment system remains an industry benchmark for being easy to use. An optional dual-screen rear entertainment system along with a collection of USB ports make long distance travel a breeze.
Safety is essential, particularly for a family hauler. The improved structure should lead to a better performance in the IIHS small-overlap crash test than the Poor score achieved by the outgoing van. Advanced safety gear, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, makes its way to Chrysler’s van, but only on the top trims. We wish Chrysler didn't force you to spend nearly $40,000 to get this vital safety equipment. Also, while the rotary transmission shifter is easy enough to use, it lacks some safeguards to prevent the van from rolling away if the driver doesn't select Park when needed.
Overall, Chrysler has designed an inviting minivan that drives nicely and has a well-thought-out interior. And there are no signs of the competition letting up; the Sienna has long been reliable, and like most other Toyotas, has advanced safety equipment standard by the end of 2017. Honda's Odyssey has been redesigned for 2018. All of this goes to show that even though the minivan battlefield is shrinking, the war of the family-hauling boxes rages on.