The following review is for a 2021 Model Year. There may be minor changes to current model you are looking at.

Introduction

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica has all the minivan bases covered. It's equipped with a strong V-6 engine, has excellent space and a fold-away set of rear seats. There's also a plug-in hybrid with an impressive and useful all-electric range of 32 miles. Few vehicles are as useful. 

For 2021 the Pacifica gets an all-wheel-drive option, new LED headlights and taillights, and a taller grille. Inside, there's a new large 10.1-inch touchscreen that is intuitive and highly functional, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa; meanwhile up to 12 USB (Type A and C) ports are available throughout the cabin. 

Also new for 2021, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control all become standard equipment. 

The non-hybrid Pacifica is powered by a 287-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 with a 9-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front or all four wheels. The new all-wheel-drive system isn't for off-roading, just increased traction in sand or snow, as well as added safety in wet and icy conditions. It automatically disconnects the rear axle in dry conditions to save fuel. 

The hybrid powertrain is less powerful, with 260 horsepower, but its fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon will compensate for many buyers, not to mention that all-electric range of 32 miles, which small-town residents will love. However the hybrid is only front-wheel drive.
Fuel economy rises as high as 22 mpg combined. The Pacifica plug-in hybrid gets 30 mpg combined with its 32-mile electric range, according to the EPA. 

The Pacifica has been rated by the IIHS as a Top Safety Pick, while the NHTSA has given it five stars overall in its crash tests. 

Lineup

The Pacifica models are Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle, which is new for 2021. There is also a separate Chrysler model called the Voyager, which is basically a stripped-down Pacifica. 

The base Touring comes with the new 10.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, complete with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports, and second- and third-row seating that tucks into the cargo floor. 

The Touring L trim adds leather upholstery, heated seats, 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio, and more. 

The Pinnacle adds woodgrain trim, a center console, and unique design touches. 

Walkaround

The Chrysler Pacifica has always had stylish looks, but for 2021 that new grille gives it a hint of Jaguar. The LED headlights bring a touch of elegance, and the red LED taillights are on a track, to help the minivan make a splash as it drives past. 

The profile is unchanged. It's long at 204 inches overall, but the hood is short. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard, and unlike some, they don't get lost in the wheel wells. But if you must, 20-inch alloy rims come with a Pacifica S appearance package. 

Interior

The new 10.1-inch touchscreen dominates the Pacifica's wavy dash, and turns it into a user-friendly family infotainment center. The screen is bright and sharp, with easy-to-navigate redundant climate and audio controls beneath it. 

There's a wide choice of interior colors to liven up the usuals grays and browns. In the higher trims, it's beautifully appointed, with nappa hides covering the seats that are almost too nice for family hauling. 

The interior plan is well thought-out, overall. Small-item storage is exceptional, with bins, cupholders, and pockets ready for drinks, pens, coins, keys, even toys or other small treasures. 

The front seats are firm and comfortable, with adjustable center armrests. Bucket seats are standard in the second row, and, not surprisingly, they offer good leg room. The Pinnacle model, as well as the Hybrids, feature plusher second-row captain's chairs. 

These aren't the seats that fold into the floor; that three-passenger bench is called Stow 'n Go, and it's thinly padded. That bench also offers good leg room. 

The cabin feels cavernous-that short hood enables a lot of space inside. There's 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space with all the seats up, and 140.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. Statistically, that's not as much as big minivans like the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, but when you look and see that the Pacifica's seats are totally gone, swallowed by the floor, it feels like more. 

Driving Impression

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica boasts ample power from its 3.6-liter V-6 making 287 horsepower. The 9-speed automatic transmission has a knurled knob for a shift lever. 

The plug-in hybrid powertrain that uses a version of the V-6 tuned down to 260 horsepower, and it's heavier because of the batteries. But its acceleration is still acceptable. And don't forget what it might be all about, for some: 32 miles of all-electric range. 

Underneath, the Pacifica uses a car-like independent suspension to deliver a ride that's more than composed, it might even be called plush. We've found that the ride is better with the smaller 17-inch wheels, because their taller sidewalls absorb impact better. 

The big van has a lower center of gravity than a crossover SUV, which enables it to be more responsive. The handling is great and braking is excellent, though pedal feel could be more progressive. 

Summary

When you go down the checklist of desirable qualities of a family hauler, you won't find any empty boxes with the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica-and now with all-wheel drive for 2021, there's all-weather capability. 

 

-by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection.