New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Family van with a bonus: Chrysler Pacifica offers a plug-in hybrid that starts at $39,995
For fans of minivans, there’s none better than the Chrysler Pacifica, which two years ago got a complete redesign and the new name (replacing the Chrysler Town & Country).
With the redesign, Chrysler also rolled out the Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, which is not only an outstanding hybrid vehicle, but also the only hybrid minivan on the market.
The “plug-in” designation means that the Pacifica’s lithium-ion battery pack can be recharged from an external power source, which, with the minivan’s 30-mile range on battery power alone, means that for routine daily commutes under 30 miles, no gasoline needs to be used.
Not only is this Chrysler’s first hybrid minivan – it’s also the brand’s first hybrid model at all. It’s quite fitting, though, that Chrysler chose its minivan platform to introduce its first gasoline-electric model. And it’s also quite innovative of for Chrysler to skip the basic hybrid format such as that of the regular Toyota Prius, which doesn’t allow for external recharging, and to introduce the Pacifica as a plug-in.
After its 2017 introduction, the Pacifica Hybrid returned for 2018 with three available trim levels: the new entry level Hybrid Touring Plus ($39,995, plus $1,395 freight), the midlevel Hybrid Touring L ($41,995); and the top-of-the-line Hybrid Limited ($44,995), which we tested for this report.
There are six trim levels for 2018 for the gasoline-only Pacifica, which begins with the new entry level L model ($26,995, plus $1,395 freight), and goes as high as the Limited ($43,695). In between are the LX ($29,795), Touring Plus ($32,595), Touring L ($35,495), and Touring L Plus ($38,695)
Beginning in the early 1980s, Chrysler pioneered the era of the minivan, which until the SUV craze began in the early ‘90s, was the vehicle of choice for many families.
At one time had Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans that were differentiations of essentially the same vehicle. But the Pacifica is the only minivan left in the Chrysler/FCA line. The Plymouth brand was discontinued after 2001, and the last Dodge minivan, the Grand Caravan, went away after the 2017 model year.
That leaves us with the very capable Pacifica, which can seat up to eight people in the gasolineonly versions, or seven in the hybrids, which lose some passenger and cargo space to accommodate the lithium-ion battery pack that is mounted under the floor.
Also standard across the line are upgraded Uconnect 4 audio systems, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all models. The Uconnect 4 7-inch touch-screen audio is included on L, LX, Touring and Touring L models.
New paint colors for 2018 are Copper Pearl Coat and Ocean Blue Metallic, but our Pacifica Hybrid came in the pleasant Billet Silver Metallic Clearcoat color, with a black/alloy interior combination. Premium Nappa leather was standard.
Overall, the hybrid looks nearly identical to the gasoline-only versions, but the hybrid has some unique exterior, interior and technology features.
The hybrid comes with a 110-volt power cord for recharging the onboard battery. During one test, we were able to go nearly 35 miles on a single charge. Even when we were running on the gasoline engine after the battery ran down, we were averaging nearly 35 mpg.
EPA rates the vehicle at 84 mpg/e (miles per gallon/equivalent), based on everyday driving using a combination of gasoline and electric power. The EPA’s gasoline-only rating is 32 mpg, for combined city/highway driving.
Gasoline-only models have a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 foot-pounds of torque. It’s connected to a ninespeed automatic transmission. EPA ratings are 18 mpg city/28 highway/22 combined.
But the hybrid has a 3.6-liter Atkinson-cycle
V-6 engine coupled with an electric motor for total system horsepower of 260. With a combination of battery power and the modified Pentastar V-6 engine, the hybrid has a range of more than 500 miles on a single tank (16.5 gallons) of regular gasoline. Consumers who drive 30 miles a day or less, however, might not need to refuel for months, unless they take longer daily trips.
With the hybrid, Chrysler’s unique Stow’n’Go middle seat is not available. A really useful feature on the gasoline-only minivans, it allows the middle-row bench seat to fold completely into the floor, leaving a flat area for cargo. But in the hybrid, that is where the battery pack goes.
The hybrid system will choose the most-efficient driving mode; but the driver can override that for faster starts. That will lower fuel economy, though, as the vehicle will choose gasoline power over electric if it’s pushed hard.
Among the features differentiating the hybrid from the regular Pacifica is the special wave-pattern grille with its teal badge. There is an exclusive wheel design and a special hybrid-only paint color – Silver Teal Pearl.
A unique instrument panel with hybrid-specific features helps the driver monitor battery power and driving efficiency. It includes a seven-inch TFT display above the steering column. The steering wheel has a teal-colored center Chrysler logo like the one on the grille.
Hybrid models use a fully regenerative braking system to help recharge the battery as the vehicle is slowing down. There was a slight delay when pushing the brake pedal hard as the vehicle shifts from regenerative braking to full disc braking, but not enough to cause any problems.
Other standard features on the Limited model include heated and ventilated front seats, a 20-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with 760-watt amplifier, heated steering wheel, eightway power-adjustable driver’s seat/four-way power passenger seat, hands-free dual power-sliding side doors and power rear hatch, power outside mirrors with turn signals, LED signature daytime running lights, three-zone automatic climate control, universal garage/gate opener, remote keyless entry with pushbutton start, self-dimming rearview mirror, and rearview camera system.
Our tester came with the Advanced SafetyTec Group ($995), which added Adaptive Cruise Control, a 360-degree Surround View camera system, parallel and perpendicular parking assist, Full-Speed Forward Collision-Warning System Plus, Lane Departure Warning Plus, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, and Advanced Brake Assist.
We also had the KeySense programmable key fob, which lets parents regulate some of the vehicle’s features when teen kids are out on their own.
All passengers had comfortable seats, although as with most third-row seats, that area is best left to kids or smaller adults who are nimble enough to go back there. The front seats and middle-row captain’s chairs were like living room easy chairs, and the middle rear passengers had ample knee, leg and head room.
With options and freight, the total sticker price of our 2018 Pacifica Hybrid Limited was $49,875.