REINVENTING THE MINIVAN
Chrysler’s 2017 Pacifica hybrid plugs into new, electrified segment
On the one hand, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Chrysler — or FCA as it calls itself now — is at the forefront of breaking new minivan ground. After all, the automaker has been the unabashed leader of the oft-bashed segment since 1984. Today in Canada, seven out of every 10 minivans purchased are FCA models. On the other hand, it is quite surprising, because FCA is very late to the electrification dance.
Only the most diehard Chrysler fans will remember the company’s first-ever toe-dip into the hybrid pool, the short-lived 2008 Aspen and Durango models. Apart from that, there’s only been the Fiat 500e in the company’s battery-powered stable.
The Pacifica PHEV (or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) is a very big deal for the company, and for consumers, particularly those in the minivan market. Why? Well, first is the “Pacifica” part of “Pacifica PHEV.”
Apart from a big battery pack, a couple of electric motors, a newfangled electric transmission and some minor exterior and interior cosmetic changes, this vehicle is identical to the Pacifica minivan that debuted earlier this year as a 2017 model. Positioned to “reinvent” the minivan segment, it is the most awarded minivan of 2016, and for good reason. It has great styling inside and out (not necessarily hallmarks of the minivan segment), excellent utility (those clever Stow ’n Go second and third rows), state-of-theindustry on-board technologies (particularly when it comes to entertainment features for secondand third-row occupants), and seating configurations for either seven or eight passengers.
Simply put, it’s a great family hauler. The only knock against it, as my colleague David Booth rightly pointed out, is a price that brings a handful of luxury SUVs into the conversation — but more on that later.
The second reason it’s a big deal is the “PHEV” part. With a reported all-electric range of 48 kilometres, a full-tank range of 850 km and a city driving economy rating of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 km, the Pacifica PHEV is designed with a family budget in mind. And the sacrifices are minimal.
With a combined horsepower rating of 260 from the two electric motors and a 3.6-L V6, the Pacifica PHEV has just 17 fewer ponies than the gas-powered model. The PHEV’s CVT is smooth to a fault, and is as good a gearbox as the gas-powered van’s nine-speed shiftable automatic.
The only real compromise with the Hybrid centres on the second-row seats. Just two individual seats are available, as opposed to the three-seat bench option in the gas-powered Pacifica. And there is no Stow ’n Go option for the second row, because the PHEV’s big lithiumion battery pack is under the second-row seats. So, as with the competition, you have to manhandle the second-row seats out, one at a time, to create the full cargo space. As in the gas-powered Pacifica, the third-row seats are Stow ’n Go.
The only other compromise is that FCA recommends the Pacifica PHEV not be used for towing.
In terms of charging the battery pack, the vehicle comes with a Level 1 charge plug, and FCA reports a depleted-to-full charge time of 14 hours.
Pick up a Level 2 charge cord and that drops to around two hours. Level 3 charging — or “fast charging” — is not available.
Now, back to my colleague’s point about Pacifica pricing. Mr. Booth, a.k.a. Motor Mouth, opined with outrage back in March that the rumoured Pacifica PHEV could touch $60,000, based on price points for the then-just-announced gas models. He was close, as the price of the 2017 Pacifica PHEV is $56,495.
However, in the three provinces that now offer government incentives for electrified vehicle purchases, the price is very competitive. And thanks to that big battery, the Pacifica PHEV qualifies for the full amount in all three jurisdictions. Driving.ca