2020 Chrysler Pacifica Limited Hybrid
Entry price: $38,100 Price as tested: $48,884
This week, we’re driving Chrysler’s 2020 Pacifica, but this time it’s the hybrid model in Limited trim that sits in our driveway. Pacifica is the company’s most impressive and luxurious minivan to date and is now celebrating its 35th anniversary.
Pacifica is a direct descendant of the famous Chrysler family of Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans that debuted in September 1983 as 1984 models. These original minivans successfully filled a void for those who needed the room of a station wagon but just didn’t want to buy one. (Kind of like where the minivan is today, thus the many three-row albeit crowded SUVS).
Thanks to impeccable timing from then Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca, the stars were aligned for success. as baby boomer marriages evolved into growing families, there, in the many Chrysler dealerships across the U.S. and
Canada, sat the new Dodge and Plymouth minivans just waiting to be gobbled up. Chrysler sold some 200,000 1984 minivans those first 16 months and through seven generations grew to wheelbases of over 120 inches from 112 inches initially.
Today, thanks to its great styling, the Pacifica has come full circle as one of few minivans available and now enjoys renewed interest from a millennial generation family of three or more children.
Most notable is the Pacifica is the only full-size hybrid minivan on the market and the number one seller of the 20 vehicles that offer a plug-in hybrid system as an option.
Currently, there are numerous hybrid and non-hybrid Pacificas available, with gasoline only models starting at $31,609 and then up through nine other non-hybrid models to end at top line Red S Edition, which starts at $44,797.
If you’re looking for an AWD Pacifica, you are in luck as the AWD Launch Pacifica starts at $41,988. These prices are all discounted by several thousand as Chrysler calls it a “Family Pricing for all” program and is similar to discounts workers at the factory receive. Notable, too, is that for 2021, Pacifica will be available as an AWD in four trims.
The hybrid models include six to choose from, starting at $38,100 for the entry Touring. Next up are Touring L at $40,304; 35th anniversary at $42,182; our Limited at $ 43,704; 35th anniversary Limited at $44,622; and finally Hybrid Red S at $ 46,803. again, all include the special family pricing program discount. The Pacifica motif is a completely revamped exterior and a new, luxurious interior with lots of storage and cargo configurations.
The one big difference drivetrain- wise between the gas-powered Pacifica and a Hybrid model is the transmission. Hybrids rely on what Chrysler calls an “Eflite Si- EVT” automatic, which is some fancy nomenclature for what we call a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The gas powered models rely on a nine- speed automatic transmission while both couple to Chrysler’s proven 3.6liter Pentastar V6. In hybrid dress, it produces 260 horsepower thanks to an ehybrid atkinson Cycle addition. Specifically, two atkinson cycle electric motors and a large battery-pack assist in motivation delivering excellent fuel mileage numbers.
Pacifica Hybrid delivers EPA numbers of up to 82 MPG on full charge and a driving range of 32 full-electric miles while the overall gas/ electric driving range with a full tank of gas is 520 miles total range. The gas only engine produces 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque and 19 city and 28 highway EPA estimates.
Notable on the Pacifica Limited are numerous luxury and safety features, including Siriusxm with one
year free, 8.4-inch infotainment display, Android and Apple compatibility, heated and ventilated seats, power doors and liftgate, keyless push button start, heated steering wheel, interior noise control and much more. Your Chrysler dealer will gladly explain all models, including three special 35th Anniversary trims, upgraded interior seat choices and those noteworthy second- and third-row stow and go seats.
All Pacifica models, hybrid or gasoline, feature advanced safety features as standard fare like Parkview backup camera, rear park assist with stop, all the airbags, hill start assist, blind spot and cross path detection, remote start, electronic stability, traction control, and four wheels ABS discs. Our Limited came with 18-inch Nexen tires on special alloy wheels that are standard on the upper trims. The hybrid models come with a 6.6-kilowatt battery charger with plug in cord.
The battery has a 10- Year/ 150,000- Mile Limited Warranty or a 10-Year/100,000-mile Limited Warranty depending on the state you live in or purchased it in. An available 240volt Mopar charger lets you fully charge your Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid in just two hours. However, the battery self charges via regenerative braking, which captures energy from the brakes when they are applied.
A most notable “standard feature” on our Limited tester is a free, no charge, spectacular 20-speaker, 760-watt Harmon Kardon sound group with Uconnect home theater with streaming BLU-RAY/DVD player, seatback 10-inch video screens, Hdmi/usb/headphone ports, Video USB port, 115-volt outlet, video remote controls and a pair of wireless headphones. (Yes ... FREE).
Our Limited Hybrid starts at the aforementioned family price of $43,704 and options include an advanced safety technical upgrade for $995; an $1,895 tri-plane sunroof and a $795 S appearance package that along with $1,495 delivery brought the final discounted family price to $48,884.
Important numbers include a wheelbase of 121.6 inches, 4,987 lb. curb weight, 16.5-gallon fuel tank, 19.8 ft. turn radius, and a cargo capacity that grows from 32.3 cu. ft. with seats up to 140.5 cu. ft. with seats down.
So be it leftover 2020 or new 2021 Pacifica, you’re choosing from the originator of the minivan and this modern day Pacifica is its best effort yet.
Likes: Looks, full-size hybrid minivan, interior, mileage numbers.
Dislikes: Some extra cost safety features should be standard, hybrid acceleration not as quick with SI-EVT transmission.