It was 40 years ago when Chrysler created the modern minivan and sold it through its Dodge and Plymouth divisions. The first minivan under the Chrysler brand came six years later as the Town and Country. The Pacifica replaced it with its sixth generation, the model we have today. The model has advanced considerably across the past four decades but remains one of the most efficient and comfortable ways to transport three rows of passengers or massive amounts of cargo across town or the country. The Pacifica remains a class leader with extras such as AWD models for troublesome weather.

Performance

All Pacifica models, including the hybrid models, have a 3.6-liter V-6 engine as their heart. Quite capable of hauling people and things anywhere, in standard form, the engine produces 257 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It is connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission that can send power to the front wheels on all models or to all four wheels on all but the base (Touring) model. EPA estimated city/highway/combined fuel efficiency for the Pacifica is 22/19/28 mpg with front-wheel drive and 17/25/20 mpg with all-wheel drive.

The chassis consists of a four-wheel independent suspension with struts up front and multi-link geometry in the rear. With no real sporting or off-road intentions, the Pacifica is set up for a smooth but controlled highway ride.

Exterior

By definition, minivans will always have large body styles over four wheels, but the Pacifica adds a sense of panache to the shape with a bold grille up front, stylish D-pillar with a canted angle, and wrap-around rear liftgate window section. Below the liftgate is a stylish full-width LED tail lamp. Trims for 2025 include Select, Limited, and Pinnacle for the gas model and Select, S Appearance, and Pinnacle for the Plug-In Hybrid.

Chrysler has carefully kept the exterior dimensions in check so the Pacifica will always fit comfortably in a garage. The overall proportions suggest a vehicle that cuts nicely through the wind on the highway. Exterior trim ranges from satin chrome to dark, depending on your preference. Enjoy an array of available exterior colors, such as Bright White, Ceramic Gray, Diamond Black, Fathom Blue, and Red Hot.

Interior

A large, spacious interior is why most people opt for a minivan, and the Pacifica does not disappoint with 165 cubic feet of passenger volume. All models come with three rows of seats, enabling the vehicle to seat seven or eight, depending on the choice of a bench or bucket seats for the second row. Non-hybrid models still have the class-exclusive Stow ’n Go second- and third-row seats that allow for the transition from a people mover (with 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space) to a cargo hauler (with 140.5 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume) by simply folding the second- and third-row seats into the low floor. Other minivans require the second-row seats to be removed and stored for this transition. Pacifica offers the largest available sunroof in the segment and the most innovative seating and storage in its class, with flexibility that includes multiple seating configurations.

The top-of-the-line Pinnacle model features the most luxurious interior in its class, starting with premium quilted sepia Nappa leather seats that include matching lumbar pillows for the second-row captain’s chairs. The Pinnacle Ultra console is the most functional front console in its class. It features dual-level storage with a deep pass-through storage area underneath the console that accommodates a large purse or even a laptop. Additional Pinnacle premium interior appointments include a Piano Black storage bin, brushed Silver Metal hydro bezels, a suede headliner, high-end Berber construction floor mats, Platinum Chrome exterior/Satin Chrome interior trim, and much more.

Technology

All models have a sizable 10.1-inch center touchscreen backed by the Uconnect 5 system, which is critically acclaimed for its ease of use. All models have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and an effective and intuitive voice command system, which can be particularly useful when locating a specific song on your phone.

The audio system starts with six Alpine speakers and grows to a 506-watt nine-speaker system with a subwoofer on upper models. Above that is an available 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Additional convenience features include the available FamCAM interior camera, which provides a bird's-eye view of rear-facing child-seat occupants, and the available Stow ’n Vac system, which makes it very easy to keep the interior clean. Pacifica is also available with Amazon Fire TV integrated into the Uconnect Theater System. Passengers can view Amazon Fire TV in high definition from the rear seats, and when the vehicle is in Park, the driver can also view Amazon Fire TV on the main Uconnect 5 screen.

Safety and Driver Assistance

All Pacifica models are fully equipped with safety and driver assistance technologies, including:

• Advance Brake-Assist
• Pedestrian Emergency Braking
• Rain-Brake Support
• Rain-Brake Support
• Ready-Alert Braking
• Blind-Spot and Cross-Path Detection
• Hill start assist
• ParkSense Rear Park-Assist with Stop

Higher-level versions of the assist packages also include additional items such as:

• Surround-view camera system
• Active Lane-Management System
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go
• Active driving assist system
• Drowsy driver detection
• Parallel and perpendicular park-assist with stop
• Side distance warning

The Pacifica earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with 5-star ratings on all impact tests. It was also designated as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).