The PHEV you’re overlooking is a dad-core minivan from Detroit
Let me guess: You need a comfortable third row of seating, ample cargo room, and fuel efficiency. And you really, really want a plug-in hybrid powertrain so your commute can be all-electric. I hate to break it to you, bub, but you’re a minivan person. The perfect next vehicle for your family might just be the Chrysler Pacifica.
America’s been sold a lie, and we automotive journalists haven’t done enough to stop it. Automakers market mid-size SUVs with third rows as the ideal family vehicle. Spoiler: they aren’t. Those cramped third rows are only good for hauling humans too old for car seats but too young to demand legroom.
Sure, a full-size SUV like the Chevy Suburban offers real space in all three rows. But it also comes with truck-like MPG and parking-lot headaches. Minivans? They deliver everything you need: comfort, space, and efficiency.
Think back to the minivan you grew up in. Yeah, the one with the crayon melted into the upholstery and your Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures abandoned in the cupholder. If you wanted to invite three friends over, your parents didn’t blink. “Sure, hop in!” If they’d been driving a RAV4, you would have had to stuff someone into the rooftop Thule.
Chrysler invented the minivan, and just won’t quit building them. But make no mistake: the Chrysler Pacifica is far from dated—it’s packed with modern tech, comfort, and versatility.
Cargo, comfort, and MPG: It’s all that and a bag of chips
The Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid combines a 3.6-liter V6 and two electric motors for a total of 260 horsepower. Its 33 miles of electric-only range handles most commutes and errand runs, while the hybrid mode delivers up to 84 MPGe. It’s efficient, smooth, and perfect for families trying to save at the pump.
Even the gas-powered Pacifica offers advantages, with 287 horsepower and an optional AWD system that makes it winter-ready. Combine that with Chrysler’s trademark Stow ’n Go seating, and you’ve got unmatched flexibility for cargo or passengers.
The Pacifica also shines in comfort. Hybrid models trade the Stow ’n Go second row for plusher captain’s chairs. The available “FamCam” keeps an eye on your kids or pets in the back seat, while rear entertainment screens keep them occupied on road trips.
Modern tech and timeless safety is sooo fetch
The Pacifica sets the bar for minivan tech. Its Uconnect 5 infotainment system includes a vibrant 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. For families, this means navigation, streaming, and more—all seamlessly connected.
Safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking come standard. It’s no surprise the Pacifica has earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating, making it as safe as it is practical.
Ready to say bye, bye, bye to cramped, gas-guzzling SUVs and return to the minivan? Configure your own Chrysler Pacifica today.
