This week I have been behind the wheel of the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid minivan, a great family hauler that gets extremely good fuel economy.
Powertrain
Pacifica comes standard with the Chrysler V6 Pentastar engine, but I have the hybrid version which takes the same engine, but it is modified to be a hybrid, and I must say it puts up some pretty impressive numbers. For instance, it is rated in town at the equivalent of 82 miles per gallon. It will also give you a total range of 520 miles, which would be really nice on long trips.
Simply put, here is the way it operates: You plug your van in overnight and then you have 32 miles of driving on just the batteries. Once the battery power is exhausted, Pacifica seamlessly switches over to run on gasoline, like every other vehicle. In the center of the colorful gauge cluster, it will tell you your battery range, your gasoline range, and your total range to empty. Pacifica comes with a 6.6-kilowatt charger, but you can purchase a Level 2 charger and get an 80% charge in about two hours.
Interior
Inside the van, you’ll find very welcoming seating for seven people. Being a minivan, the ride height is low and makes it very easy to enter through the key fob-controlled power sliding doors on both sides. Since the vehicle has captain chairs in the center row, getting to the 3rd row seat is easy as well.
From the driver’s seat, everything is laid out logically and is easy to reach and see. A round knob to the right of the steering wheel serves as the shift mechanism for the CVT automatic transmission.
High on the center stack is the terrific 10.1” Uconnect 5 navigation screen. It operates the 20-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, the nav, the Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and check out the Fam Cam that checks on rear occupants. There are a host of apps that provide real-time information. Below the screen are controls for the parking systems and the air conditioning systems.
Pinnacle Trim
My test vehicle is the Pinnacle, which is the top-of-the-line, and it comes standard with a lot of nice features like remote start, power liftgate, leather seating, heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front power seats, and a panoramic moon roof.
It also has two 10” screens for rear occupants that operates Amazon Fire TV streaming.
Safety
On the safety front, you get at no charge: blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rearview surround-view camera with cross-traffic alert, electronic stability control, and emergency braking assist.
Ride and Drive
The Pacifica hybrid is incredibly quiet inside, and the ride quality is very good as well. Headroom is good throughout.
Utility
You can’t get the Stow N' Go fold flat seats in the middle since it is a hybrid, but the third-row seat does fold into the floor and it creates a huge cargo area.
What You'll Pay
MSRP is $62,085 before the $7,500 federal tax credit.
Verdict
If you need a people hauler but also want great fuel economy, this might be the one for you.
- What I liked most: Fuel economy and the terrific leather seating,
- What I would change: A little more range when on the battery system.
- MSRP: Base price: $59,995, as equipped $62,085.
- Fuel Economy: Rated at 82 MPGe on battery; 30 MPG combined on gas.
- Odometer reading when tested: 9,000 miles.
- Weight: 5,010 pounds; 6,360 GVWR.
- Spare Tire: Compact Spare.
- Length-Width-Height: 204.3” long/ 79.6" wide/ 69.9” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.5 gallons with the filler on the driver's side. Charging port on the driver's side on the front fender..
- Official Color: Velvet Red Pearl.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2023 Chrysler Pacifica in a few words: An incredibly fuel-efficient and very comfortable minivan that makes travel a joy for the whole family.
- Warranty: 3-year/36,000-mile bumper to bumper, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain with roadside assistance. 8-year/100,000 mile warranty on the hybrid system.
- Final Assembly Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
- Manufacturer's website: Chrysler
