The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid ranked #2 in Minivans. Currently the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has a score of 8.8 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 15 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
The Chrysler Pacifica has a lot going for it. It has more style than the typical minivan. Its Stow ‘n Go seats make for easy transport of large items. The infotainment system is easy to use. There are abundant safety and tech features to choose from. And almost all of this appeal transfers over to the 2019 Pacifica Hybrid.
Sure, the hybrid doesn’t get the second-row Stow ‘n Go seats (the hybrid battery fits in their storage compartment), but the fixed captain’s chairs in their place are actually more comfortable. Plus, that hybrid powertrain significantly improves fuel economy since its plug-in capability allows for about 33 miles of electric range on a full charge. For some drivers, that’s enough to avoid using gasoline for weeks or even longer. Once you do run out of electricity, the EPA estimates that it will return 32 mpg combined, which is 10 mpg higher than the standard van.
By some minivan standards, the Pacifica Hybrid also has some drawbacks. The 2019 Honda Odyssey, for example, is better to drive, is more spacious, and has a more versatile seating setup. It’s also worth noting that the Pacifica Hybrid is significantly more expensive than the gas-only Pacifica van, especially at base trim levels. There are potential fuel savings and tax rebates to consider, but those aren’t realized at the time of purchase.
In the end, if you’re looking for a minivan with plug-in power, the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is the only option out there. It isn’t our favorite van, but it certainly has several virtues that make it worth considering.
Technology
Pacifica Hybrid’s Uconnect is one of the easiest infotainment systems to use, thanks to a large 8.4-inch touchscreen display, clear graphics and controls.
Audio & navigation
Uconnect is one of the best systems in the class. The controls are easy to understand with a convenient menu on the lower portion of the screen for main commands. Navigation info can be displayed on the center screen or within the gauges for easy viewing.
Smartphone integration
It’s easy to plug in, boot up and index music quickly via the USB ports. No problems connecting devices via Bluetooth either. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard for 2018. Rear USB ports not available on base trim.
Driver aids
A rearview camera, blind-spot monitor and rear parking sensors are standard. Adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane departure warning and intervention, and a 360-degree camera are optional. ACC is overly sensitive, often creates a large following distance, then brakes hard when there’s a minor slowing.
Voice control
The Pacifica Hybrid comes standard with voice controls for audio, phone calls and voice text reply.
Performance & Handling
The Pacifica Hybrid uses the same 3.6-liter V6 engine as its gas-only counterpart, though here it operates on the more efficient Atkinson cycle. The engine is paired with an electrically variable transmission that combines the power of two electric motors for EV-only driving and dual-mode hybrid operation. Altogether, Chrysler lists total system output as “around 260 horsepower,” which is considerably less than the 286 horsepower made by the gas engine in standard Pacificas.
Fortunately, the nature of electric motors with their ability to provide torque on demand makes them feel more powerful than their specs suggest. In other words, the Pacifica Hybrid has no trouble in the get-up-and-go department, despite weighing about 500 pounds more thanks to its battery pack.
As mentioned, the suspension is on the firm side, probably to keep that extra weight in check. While it doesn’t create the cushiest ride, it does make the Pacifica Hybrid a surprisingly competent handler. The stiffer suspension, combined with a much lower center of gravity thanks to the batteries’ placement underneath the floor, keeps this minivan from feeling tippy in turns and imparts a high degree of confidence in corners.
That said, the Pacifica Hybrid is no sports car; no minivan is. It’s not their raison d’être. Whereas power and handling are pleasant surprises, other elements like its light, non-communicative steering and clunky regenerative brakes are reminders the Pacifica Hybrid is first and foremost a beast of burden.
Safety
Chrysler earns high marks for safety on account of the Pacifica Hybrid’s level of standard safety equipment and the affordability of its optional items. Blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross-traffic-alert systems are both standard on all trim levels, as are rear parking sensors with automatic braking.
Meanwhile, all of the Pacifica Hybrid’s remaining optional safety equipment is collected in the Advanced SafetyTec Group, which costs just $995 and includes front sensors, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, forward collision warning with emergency automatic braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a park-assist system that works for both parallel and perpendicular parking, and automatic high-beam headlights.
The one catch is that the Advanced SafetyTec Group is available only on the Pacifica Hybrid’s most expensive Limited trim.