2026 Chrysler Pacifica

Volume trim uses the naturally-aspirated 3.6L Pentastar V6 rated at 287 hp; the PHEV pairs an Atkinson-cycle version of the same V6 with dual e-motors for 260 combined hp. Competitive with Odyssey and Voyager, ahead of Sienna's hybrid-only 245 hp.

Pentastar V6 delivers 262 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm — typical for a naturally-aspirated 3.6L; the PHEV's e-motor assist supplements low-end torque but Chrysler does not publish a combined figure.

Instrumented tests of the gas FWD volume trim land near 7.3 s; AWD and PHEV variants are slightly slower. Adequate but unremarkable for the segment — Odyssey and Sienna hybrid are in the same neighborhood.

The Pentastar V6 is a well-developed engine praised for smoothness and linear power delivery; throttle response is direct and there is no forced-induction lag. In the PHEV, gas-to-electric transitions are largely seamless.

The gas van's ZF-based 9-speed 948TE has been refined via software updates but still draws occasional criticism for hunting between gears and slow kickdowns. The PHEV's eCVT is seamless. Behind Odyssey's smoother 10-speed but not offensive.

Rated at 3,600 lbs when properly equipped with the optional Trailer-Tow Group; competitive with class norms but well behind body-on-frame utility vehicles.

AWD is optional on gas Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims (not the base Touring, and not on the Hybrid PHEV, which is FWD-only). Chrysler's on-demand Auto AWD system is basic — no low range, no terrain modes, no torque vectoring. Notable class advantage over FWD-only Odyssey but less integrated than Sienna's standard hybrid AWD option.

Pavement-oriented family minivan with low ground clearance (~5.4 in), no skid plates, no terrain modes, and no off-road trim. AWD helps in snow/rain but nothing beyond that.

Two distinct powertrains — the 3.6L gas V6 and a plug-in hybrid rated at ~32 miles of EV range — with AWD offered on gas trims. Along with Sienna, one of only two US minivans with electrification, and the only one offering a plug-in option.

3.6L Pentastar V6 with 9-speed automatic is thirsty for a minivan; AWD gives up another 2 MPG. Score reflects the volume gas Select FWD.

Weak city figure without any standard hybrid assist; near the bottom of the minivan set.

Highway figure is respectable; the 9-speed and tall gearing help on the interstate even if city numbers lag.

Range computed from EPA combined MPG and 19-gal fuel tank; PHEV extends usable range to ~520 mi combined per Chrysler.

EPA 5-year cost puts the gas Pacifica in the higher end of the minivan set; the PHEV is far cheaper to run but is no longer a mainstream option.

3.6L V6 runs on regular 87 octane; the PHEV likewise uses regular and a standard 120/240V Level 2 home charger — no premium or unusual energy needs.

NHTSA awarded the 2026 Pacifica five-star overall crashworthiness, with 5-star frontal and side ratings and a 4-star rollover result.

Pacifica did NOT earn 2026 Top Safety Pick: Good in small-overlap front, Acceptable in updated side, but Marginal in the updated moderate-overlap test (elevated back-seat head/neck/chest injury risk). Front crash prevention Acceptable, headlights Acceptable.

Comprehensive suite is standard across every trim: forward and reverse AEB with pedestrian detection, full-speed-range adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, lane-departure warning plus lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park sensors — the 360 camera is the main upgrade reserved for the Safety Sphere package or Pinnacle.

IIHS front-crash-prevention system rated Acceptable overall but earns Advanced ratings in both daytime and nighttime pedestrian tests — strong pedestrian coverage held back by the overall Acceptable (rather than Superior) award.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection are broadly available across the lineup (standard on volume Limited trim and up, part of the Safety Sphere package on Select). Alert-only rather than active-intervention BSM, and no trailer-aware coverage since the Pacifica isn't sold for meaningful towing.

LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus provides audible alerts and steering torque to nudge the van back toward the lane center, but reviewers describe it as a keep-assist rather than a true confident centering system — helpful but not class-leading.

Full-speed-range adaptive cruise with stop-and-go is standard across the range and generally well reviewed, though it lacks a tightly integrated hands-on highway-assist mode — after long stops the driver must tap Resume or the throttle to re-engage.

No hands-free highway driving system is offered on the 2026 Pacifica — Stellantis has not brought a BlueCruise/Super Cruise equivalent to the minivan lineup.

IIHS rates the Pacifica's headlights Acceptable across every trim — a consistent mid-tier result rather than a Good outcome, with automatic high-beam assist standard.

Classic minivan sightlines with a tall greenhouse, large side glass, low beltline, and a big rear window give excellent natural visibility; volume Limited trims add rear cross-path detection and Pinnacle/Safety Sphere adds a 360-degree surround-view camera.

Sliding rear doors with huge openings, a flat second row, and easily reached LATCH anchors make car-seat installation among the easiest in the class; three-across in the second row is workable and the third row remains usable for boosters. Stow 'n Go floor bins slightly complicate anchor visibility on non-hybrid trims.

Volume Touring/Limited configuration seats 7 with 2nd-row captain's chairs; a 2nd-row bench option raises it to 8 on select trims.

Front headroom of 38.4 in is average for the minivan segment — high seating position is offset by a shallow header.

41.1 in front legroom is at the lower end of the minivan band (40–44.5 in); Sienna and Odyssey push closer to 41.5–41.7.

38.0 in of 2nd-row headroom sits mid-pack — comfortable for adults but not class-leading.

39.0 in of 2nd-row legroom is generous, and the sliding captain's chairs let owners trade 2nd- and 3rd-row legroom as needed.

38.7 in of 3rd-row headroom and 36.5 in of legroom is genuinely adult-usable, and the sliding 2nd-row captain's chairs make walk-through access easy. Slightly firmer bench and lower cushions keep it just short of Honda's class-leading Magic Slide 3rd-row experience.

Third-row Stow 'n Go drops flush into the floor without removing seats, exposing a large, flat load area behind the 2nd row. Segment-leading for everyday cargo.

Gas Pacifica's dual Stow 'n Go leaves a fully flat load floor stem-to-stern, giving one of the largest cargo holds in any passenger vehicle sold in the US. PHEV loses 2nd-row Stow 'n Go because the battery occupies the underfloor bins.

Stow 'n Go floor bins double as hidden storage when seats are up; available Stow 'n Vac (built-in RIDGID-powered vacuum), rear-seat entertainment, multi-row USB, and a deep center console are segment standouts. Only the gas trims get the full Stow 'n Go trick — PHEV forfeits the 2nd-row underfloor bins.

Front seats are comfortable on long trips despite firmish padding, but the fold-into-floor Stow 'n Go 2nd-row buckets are widely called out as thinner and less plush than Odyssey's or Sienna's captain's chairs — the price of the segment's best cargo trick.

Compliant, well-damped ride that soaks up broken pavement and stays composed at highway speed; reviewers repeatedly call it one of the better-riding minivans, especially on long trips. AWD adds a touch of firmness but stays within the segment sweet spot.

Acoustic front glass and thick insulation keep road and powertrain noise well-suppressed; some wind noise around the mirrors at highway speed keeps it from matching Sienna/Odyssey top-trim quiet. PHEV EV-mode operation is notably hushed.

Tri-zone automatic climate and heated front seats are standard even at entry Touring; higher trims layer on Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, heated 2nd-row captain's chairs, heated wheel, dual-zone rear controls, and available rear-seat entertainment. Feature depth matches or beats most minivan rivals.

Entry-level 2026 Pacifica Select FWD starts at $45,640 including the $1,995 destination charge — priced above Sienna/Odyssey/Carnival base trims and near the top of the minivan segment band.

The Limited is the volume trim for 2026 at roughly $49,240 including destination. Pricing runs meaningfully higher than the Sienna XLE (~$44k) or Odyssey EX-L (~$45k) as-equipped.

Edmunds TCO pegs annual maintenance around $1,050, and CarEdge estimates $11,453 in 10-year maintenance + repair (about $2,180 better than the minivan average). Front-loaded to ~$5,000 for years 1–5 given warranty coverage of most early repairs.

iSeeCars pegs 5-year depreciation at 54.7% for Pacifica gas (54.3% hybrid), noticeably worse than the minivan-segment average of 49.4% depreciation. Chrysler-brand residuals lag Toyota and Honda by a wide margin.

Standard Chrysler bumper-to-bumper coverage — 3 years / 36,000 miles. Matches Toyota, Honda, and Kia industry-standard basic terms and sits at the floor of the segment band.

Powertrain coverage is 5 yr / 60,000 mi — half the length of Kia's segment-leading 10/100k terms. PHEV Pacificas carry the mandated 10-year HV battery coverage on top.

Chrysler does not offer factory complimentary scheduled maintenance — Stellantis brands sell prepaid plans instead. Buyers do get 5 yr / 60,000 mi 24/7 roadside assistance and standard connected-service trials, which is basic-tier compared to Toyota's ToyotaCare (2 yrs free maintenance) or Hyundai/Kia included maintenance.

$49,240 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (45.3% retained, or about $22,306) leaves about $26,934 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,000 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $31,934 in total.

Pacifica has trended below average in Consumer Reports predicted reliability for the current (RU) generation, and J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study consistently places it beneath segment leaders. The PHEV variant has been particularly weak on predicted dependability.

Chrysler brand consistently ranks in the bottom third of Consumer Reports brand reliability rankings and near the bottom of J.D. Power's VDS over multiple recent years — one of the weakest brand-level reliability records in the US market.

The RU Pacifica has a long recall history including multiple PHEV high-voltage battery fire campaigns (2022 stop-charge advisory, subsequent battery replacements), 9-speed transmission and side-curtain airbag actions, plus various electrical bulletins. Recalls are frequent and some are safety-critical.

The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a proven high-mileage engine, but the 9-speed ZF (948TE) automatic has a mixed durability record across Stellantis products. The PHEV/eHybrid powertrain is comparatively newer with a rougher recall history that undermines confidence in long-term durability.

Reviewers consistently rate Pacifica interior materials as class-leading for a minivan — extensive soft-touch surfaces, upscale switchgear, and near-luxury feel in Pinnacle trim. This is the strongest point in Chrysler's build-quality story.

Assembly is generally solid with reasonable panel gaps, but Chrysler has middling scores in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study and owner forums cite rattles and trim squeaks emerging in the first years of ownership. Not disastrous, but noticeably behind Honda/Toyota.

Stellantis maintains a broad Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram dealer footprint across the US — coverage is not the issue. Service satisfaction has slipped in recent J.D. Power Customer Service Index results, where Chrysler frequently sits below the mass-market average.

Pentastar and RU platform parts are abundant and reasonably priced with a healthy aftermarket. PHEV-specific components (battery pack, high-voltage system) are dealer-dependent and pricier, which drags the average on hybrid variants.

Uconnect 5 uses a 10.1-inch center touchscreen on every trim; no larger screen option is offered.

Uconnect 5 is consistently praised as one of the better mainstream infotainment systems — quick to boot, snappy touch response, clear menu logic, and useful preservation of some physical HVAC controls beneath the screen. Occasional lag noted with heavy background tasks but no significant frustration in reviews.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on all 2026 Pacifica trims via the Uconnect 5 10.1" touchscreen — a best-in-class posture for the minivan segment.

Uconnect 5 offers Alexa Built-in and an improved natural-language voice assistant plus available embedded TomTom navigation with over-the-air map updates. Functional and better than most rivals' systems, but most owners still default to CarPlay/Android Auto maps.

Base six-speaker audio is adequate; Limited steps up to a 13-speaker Alpine with subwoofer, and Pinnacle offers a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system with 10-inch subwoofer and Logic 7 surround — one of the strongest premium audio options in the minivan class.

Pacifica uses a hybrid analog cluster with a 7-inch color reconfigurable driver information display flanked by traditional analog gauges rather than a full digital cluster. Content is useful and configurable, but the presentation is a generation behind rivals offering full 10-12" digital clusters.

Uconnect 5 supports over-the-air software and map updates delivered via Wi-Fi or embedded modem, but the scope is primarily infotainment and connected services rather than whole-vehicle feature additions like Tesla or Rivian.

Chrysler Connect app provides remote start, remote lock/unlock, vehicle locator, diagnostics and PHEV charge management, and 2026 buyers get 10 years of Chrysler Connect ONE included at no charge — a strong value. No digital-key/phone-as-key capability, and app polish/reliability is mid-tier.

Standard USB-C ports distributed across all three rows, available wireless phone charging pad, and optional 115V household AC outlet — a well-equipped family-hauler charging suite. Falls short of top scorers only in that wireless charging and some rear-row USB-C provisions vary by trim.

Proximity Keyless Enter 'N Go, push-button start and remote start are standard from the base Select trim, and hands-free power sliding doors and hands-free power liftgate are available on upper trims — very well equipped by minivan standards. No phone-as-key offered.

Rear camera with dynamic gridlines and rear park assist are standard; the available Safety Sphere package adds a 360-degree surround-view camera plus front and rear parking sensors. Image quality is competitive but surround view is not available on volume trims.

A color Head-Up Display is offered on the 2026 Pacifica but is limited to upper trims (Limited/Pinnacle) rather than being available on the volume Touring/Select trims. Coverage is useful (speed, nav, alerts) when equipped.

Segment-benchmark family logistics: dual sliding doors with huge openings, easy-to-reach LATCH anchors, second-row captain's chairs that slide fore/aft to open a stroller-friendly walk-through, and available FamCAM interior camera plus built-in Stow 'n Vac. Stow 'n Go floor bins on gas trims slightly complicate LATCH-anchor visibility versus rivals but the overall daily-family workflow is class-leading.

Strong ADAS breadth on family-friendly trims — AEB (fwd+rev) with pedestrian detection, ACC stop-and-go, LKA, LDW+ standard from Select; BSM/RCTA standard on the volume Limited trim; rear-occupant alert included. But 2026 IIHS ratings drop the Pacifica short of Top Safety Pick (moderate-overlap Marginal, side Acceptable, AEB Acceptable), while NHTSA gives 5 stars overall. Solid but no longer segment-elite.

Tri-zone auto climate, USB-C across all three rows, heated 2nd-row captain's chairs available, Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment, 38.7 in of 3rd-row headroom and 36.5 in of 3rd-row legroom — genuinely adult-usable back seats plus 87.5 cu ft of cargo behind the 2nd row. Only knock is the Stow 'n Go 2nd-row buckets are firmer than Odyssey/Sienna's plush captain's chairs on multi-hour trips.

Smooth 287-hp Pentastar V6 with linear throttle response, compliant ride, ACC with stop-and-go standard across trims, and outstanding outward visibility make city and suburban duty relaxed. Held back by the 9-speed 948TE occasionally hunting between gears at part throttle and LaneSense LDW+ that torques the wheel rather than centering smoothly. No hands-free option offered.

The volume-trim 3.6L gas V6 returns just 22 MPG combined (FWD) / 20 MPG (AWD) with an EPA-estimated $2,700/yr fuel cost — near the bottom of the minivan class and well behind the Sienna hybrid's ~36 MPG. The far cheaper Pacifica PHEV (~$1,450/yr) is officially discontinued for 2026 and not the mainstream choice.

Physically a ~204-in-long minivan, but a tall greenhouse, low beltline, huge side glass, and sliding doors make it easier to place than its footprint suggests. The 360-degree surround-view camera is limited to the Safety Sphere package / Pinnacle rather than standard on the volume Limited trim, and no active park-assist system is offered.

Rated 3,600 lb towing when properly equipped with the Trailer-Tow Group, and 140.5 cu ft of max cargo with dual Stow 'n Go creates the largest flat load floor in any passenger vehicle sold in the US — genuinely capable of hauling ladders, plywood, or bikes without a rack. Still a light-duty tool with limited payload versus a full-size pickup.

The Pentastar V6 and 948TE 9-speed are proven, but Consumer Reports and J.D. Power place the Pacifica below the minivan average for long-term reliability, and the family-focused cabin (soft-touch panels, cloth or Nappa seats, chrome accents) isn't built to shrug off construction abuse. No fleet reputation to lean on.

The dual Stow 'n Go fold-flat floor and available 115V household AC outlet make it usable as a light work platform, with roof rails and a hitch (Trailer-Tow Group) offered for racks. But there is no factory work-van variant, no washable-floor package, and no meaningful upfitter ecosystem — the Ram ProMaster and dedicated work vans occupy that space.

Compliant, well-damped ride, acoustic-laminated front glass, ACC with stop-and-go standard, and ~418 mi gas FWD range (rising to ~520 mi combined on the PHEV) make it a genuinely good mile-eater. Mild wind noise around the mirrors and the absence of any hands-free highway-assist mode keep it a step behind the very best long-haulers.

Available on-demand Auto AWD on gas Touring L / Limited / Pinnacle is a rare minivan advantage (only Pacifica and Sienna offer AWD), and the 3,600-lb hitch plus optional roof rails handle bikes, kayaks and small trailers. But ~5.4 in of ground clearance, no skid plates, no terrain modes, no PHEV AWD and no lifted trim keep it firmly pavement-plus-gravel rather than trail-ready.

Class-leading. Dual Stow 'n Go drops both 2nd- and 3rd-row seats flat into the floor without removal for 140.5 cu ft of unobstructed cargo — no other minivan matches it. Underfloor bins double as hidden storage when seats are up, and optional roof rails plus a hitch cover roof and rear gear. PHEV forfeits 2nd-row Stow 'n Go (battery lives in those bins), but the volume gas trim gets the full trick.

Composed, car-like body control for a minivan on its unibody platform; more engaging than the Voyager it shares bones with, but soft-edged and floaty at the limit versus the Odyssey/Sienna.

Electric-assist rack is accurate and appropriately weighted for parking-lot maneuvers, but feedback is muted — typical minivan tuning prioritizing ease over engagement.

Stopping distances tested about average for the class; pedal is progressive on the gas V6, and PHEV regen blending is generally smooth though not as polished as the Sienna hybrid.

3.6L Pentastar V6 with 9-speed automatic delivers strong tip-in and brisk mid-range; the ZF-derived 9AT has been refined but can still show occasional low-speed hesitation. PHEV variant transitions between EV and gas modes smoothly.

Pentastar V6 has a pleasant, unobtrusive character under load and the cabin is well isolated; PHEV is quieter still in EV mode. Not silent under hard acceleration but never coarse.

Curb-to-curb turning diameter for the volume FWD configuration. AWD models are slightly wider at 40.2 ft. Figure has been carried across the current generation.

Commanding, upright seating with excellent outward visibility, generous seat and wheel adjustment, and easy ingress/egress. Uconnect controls are logically placed with real buttons for climate.

Most powerful mainstream minivan (287 hp V6) with the most composed chassis in the class; not a driver's car, but reviewers repeatedly call it the pick for anyone who cares about how a minivan drives. Sienna's hybrid smoothness edges it on refinement, but Pacifica has the power advantage.

Volume Touring trim includes Uconnect 5 with 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, tri-zone climate, power sliding doors and liftgate, Stow 'n Go seating (unique in class), and a full ADAS suite (adaptive cruise, lane keep, forward collision) — generous versus Odyssey EX/Sienna LE at similar price points, though 360-camera and heated seats require stepping up.

Only PHEV minivan on sale — Pacifica Hybrid delivers ~32 mi EV range plus 82 MPGe combined, and typically qualifies for a federal tax credit that no Odyssey or Sienna can match. Stow 'n Go, available AWD (ICE), and heavy Chrysler incentives further stretch the dollar, though below-average predicted reliability limits the value case.

Broadest lineup in the segment: Select, Touring, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, both 3.6L V6 and PHEV powertrains, and available AWD on ICE — no rival offers both a plug-in hybrid and AWD. Special editions (Road Tripper) add further choice.

Solid mid-pack seller: Pacifica alone runs roughly 60-70k US units/year, trailing Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey but competitive with Kia Carnival. Volume is stable-to-declining as the minivan segment contracts and the platform ages, but Pacifica remains the best-selling PHEV in the segment.

Chrysler is a diminished brand — Pacifica and Voyager are effectively the entire lineup, and below-average Consumer Reports and JD Power reliability rankings drag on desirability. No luxury or aspirational halo like Honda or Toyota carry, though the Pacifica nameplate has real family-market recognition.

Chrysler is one of the most incentive-heavy brands: routine cash rebates, low-APR financing, and frequent employee-pricing promotions bring transaction prices well below MSRP. PHEV variant additionally qualifies buyers for the federal clean-vehicle credit in many cases. Buyer benefit is high even though heavy incentives signal soft demand.

Current generation launched for 2017 with a mid-cycle refresh in 2021 (added AWD, new interior tech). By 2026 the platform is ~9 years old with only minor annual updates; a full redesign is anticipated and buyers face genuine replacement risk. Odyssey and Sienna are both fresher.

Award pedigree is strong for the generation — 2017 MotorTrend Car of the Year, 2017 NACTOY Utility of the Year, multi-year KBB Best Buy Minivan winner, and frequent Car and Driver / Edmunds comparison-test victories driven by Stow 'n Go and the PHEV option. Reliability critiques from Consumer Reports keep it from the top tier.