2023 Chrysler Pacifica

Pros

• It is easy to switch from carrying people to carrying things.
• An all-wheel drive is an option, and the inside is nice.
• Excellent visibility around the edges

Cons

• The second-row seats have less space or comfort than those in similar cars.
• The nine-speed automatic transmission sometimes makes rigid or slow shifts.
• The fuel economy is worse than the average for the class.
• The quality of construction varies a lot.

The performance of the Pacifica is good enough. Its V6 engine won’t make you tilt your head back, but it won’t let you down. Both the way the car stops and how fast it goes are average for the class. Most of the time, this minivan works well. The steering and handling are also standard. Both the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey are excellent choices for driving.

Most of the time, the nine-speed automatic transmission works great. We saw that it sometimes needed clarification when going up or down steep hills and chose a higher or lower gear than was needed. The driver was busier than we had hoped.

Even though the front seats have firm padding, we found them to be comfortable for long trips. The front seats can be heated or cooled, which is also great. But the Stow ‘n Go seats in the second row are less comfortable than those in similar minivans. Also, they can’t be adjusted as much, so the second row’s legs have little room. The third row has enough space to be comfortable.

The ride is usually smooth and comfortable on a variety of road surfaces. Even though the Pacifica leans a lot when the road starts to curve, it’s about the same as other modern minivans in this way. The noise from the V6 engine isn’t as annoying as the noise from the hybrid model’s engine because it has a more traditional automatic transmission instead of the continuously variable automatic transmission in the Pacifica Hybrid. On the other hand, the nine-speed communication tends to downshift more, which can sometimes make the engine noise come on unexpectedly.

The Pacifica’s controls are easy to understand and use. In this vehicle, the volume and temperature controls are neatly set up and easy for the driver to reach. We also think it makes sense that Chrysler added volume and tuning knobs to the back of the steering wheel.

The Pacifica is easy to get into and out of because it has low door sills, big door openings, a tall roofline, and seats in the right places. The heart and wheel are both adjustable for the driver. In the front, there is plenty of room for your legs, and the big windows make it easy to see and ensure no blind spots. The optional 360-degree camera system makes getting around in small spaces much more effortless.

Because the second-row captain’s seats in the Stow ‘n Go are hard to adjust, there may be less legroom than in other minivans. Even though there is little room in the third row, adults can use it for shorter trips.

The Pacifica’s Uconnect infotainment system is easy to use, has many features, and works well with smartphones. Its main feature is a giant touchscreen with clear images and fast responses to touch and voice commands. It lets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integrate with smartphones through Bluetooth and wireless connections. There are also many USB ports for your gadgets. You can connect Alexa to a mobile internet connection, and the Uconnect app lets you use your phone to control many car systems. A seatback TV system that is available as an option can also send media to the car.

Standard and advanced driving aids include:

• Lane-keeping.
• Adaptive cruise control.
• Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection.
• Forward collision warning without pedestrian detection.
• Consider getting the optional 360-degree camera.

Minivans are all about convenience and efficient space utilization. Like its rivals, the Pacifica has considerable storage space behind the third-row seat. You can easily fold the third-row seats by hand, and Chrysler also has a power-folding option.

The Pacifica is very flexible in the second row. The new Stow ‘n Go seats fold into the floor without effort. They have storage areas under the bottom where you can put more cargo when they are in use. The pockets, cupholders, and cubbies can all be used to store your kids’ rocks, bottle caps, and coins.

Regarding children, it’s great to have room for car seats. The anchors for LATCH are easy to reach. Even though the second-row seats in the Pacifica Hybrid are less flexible, they still have enough room for rear-facing child seats and easy access for parents. In addition, children can use booster seat buckles. When correctly set up, the Pacifica can pull up to 3,600 pounds. It’s about the same as other minivans out there.

The EPA says the all-wheel drive Pacifica gets a combined 20 mpg (17 city/25 highway). That is one of the least in the class. On our 115-mile test route, most of which was on the road, we got 23 mpg, which shows that the EPA estimates are accurate. We only got 18 mpg after 500 km of driving in various conditions. Models of the Pacifica with front-wheel drive get 22 mpg combined (19 in the city, 28 on the highway).

The Pacifica line includes the Touring and the top-of-the-line Pinnacle. Our test car was a Limited model with all-wheel drive, the S Appearance package, and extra features that added up to about $55,000. Given the price, we could have been more impressed. Interiors with a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials take away from the otherwise high-end look. The wooden seat and armrests take away from what is otherwise one of the nicest-looking minivan interiors on the market today.

Overall, the fit and finish could be better, and other test vans with the Pacifica had the same electronic problems. The Chrysler warranty includes roadside assistance for five years, which is about average for the class.

Minivans aren’t made to be fun or adventurous. They care more about how well things work. To have fun, you have to bring your own. There is no doubt that there is enough space for it.

The Stow ‘n Go seats make the Pacifica stand out. It is an excellent design that those chairs in the second row can be quickly flipped over and put on the ground. This car might be perfect for you if you use features like quick shifting often.

As of this writing, Chrysler hasn’t made any official statements about the 2023 Pacifica. We’ll change our ranking if anything changes, but based on the Pacifica from last year, the Touring L has the best mix of standard features and price/value.

Chrysler Pacifica models

The standard engine in the Pacifica is a 3.6-liter V6 with 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is connected to a nine-speed automatic gearbox that drives the front wheels of the minivan.

Since the Touring model isn’t available, the Touring L is the base model for the Pacifica Hybrid. In the Pacifica Hybrid, a modified V6 engine is paired with an electric motor, a 16-kWh rechargeable battery, and a continuously variable transmission to make the PHEV powertrain. When the V6 is turned on, the Pacifica Hybrids make 260 horsepower. The minivan drives like a regular hybrid vehicle, has an estimated 32-mile electric driving range, and gets an average of 30 mpg combined. But the Pacifica Hybrid does not have AWD.