The 2022 Chrysler
Pacifica is a handy minivan that’s as comfortable as it is practical. And dare we say it, quite handsome. While many Americans obsess over SUVs and crossovers, we’re here to remind you of the great wonders of the minivan. So why did Consumer Reports
give the van a poor rating? Jerry
, your favorite super car app
, takes a look. A fast minivan with a fuel-efficient version
The Pacifica is offered in a V6 or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, with the option to choose all-wheel drive if you so desire. Either way, the minivan is a pleasure to drive.
According to Car and Driver
, “Its base price is loftier than rivals such as the Kia Carnival and the Honda Odyssey, but that's because the Pacifica's entry-level trims are marked under the Chrysler Voyager name.” The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica sports a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 hp and can ramp up to 60 mph in about 8 seconds. The vehicle’s speed also benefits from the fact that the 2022 version weighs 150 pounds less than the previous model. The van takes corners like a champ and offers a well-tuned suspension that makes road bumps less noticeable.
The nine-speed automatic vehicle has an overall EPA of 21 mpg, similar to the Toyota Sienna.
As far as electric-only driving, the plug-in hybrid delivered 29 miles, and 27 in standard hybrid operation. If you use a 240-volt connection, expect it to take a little over two hours to charge, and 23 hours using your home power outlet. In the minivan world, this is as green as it gets.
Interior and cargo functionality
Unfortunately, the dashboard is hard to the touch on the majority of trims and fingerprints are super noticeable on the inside handles of the rear door. According to Consumer Reports, “While the interior is a step up from what you'll find in a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, it falls short of being really plush.”
The hybrid version (aka Premium) is swanky inside, with soft-touch surfaces, leather seats, and turquoise stitching. Drivers will also enjoy a tri-zone automatic climate system and heated outside mirrors.
The cargo’s capacity is perfect for family road trips
or shuttling your kid’s soccer team to go get pizza after practice. According to Consumer Reports, “Drawers and cubbies fill the center dashboard and console, and there’s room available in the underfloor bins. A deep well behind the third-row seat fits plenty of luggage, even with all of the seats in use.” Drivers can say goodbye to the days they had to wrestle the second row out of the car. Chrysler-exclusive Stow 'n Go second-row seating offers versatility in both its seven- or eight-seat configuration options. The second and third rows fold flat, thanks to built-in alcoves in the floor. However, don’t expect the Pacifica’s seats to be as cushy as its competitors.
In the hybrid version, only seven seats are available and you won’t get the brand’s handy seating system. But, you will get much more comfortable seats that are removable.
Standard active noise cancellation keeps the cabin noise hushed in the gas-powered model and virtually non-existent in the plug-in. Long-distance travel is easy with plenty of USB ports and an optional Uconnect touch screen infotainment system that’s more impressive than we expected.
As far as visibility, Consumer Reports notes that “The rearmost wraparound roof pillars are quite thick, creating some blind spots, and a rising windowsill line shrinks the size of the rear windows toward the back of the van.”
The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica’s improved structure performed much better than its previous version in the IIHS small-overlap crash test and offers a suite of advanced safety systems that families can feel good about.
New features include “automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and joins other standard equipment such as forward collision warning, blind-spot warning, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and parking obstruction warning,” Consumer Reports notes.
Think twice before buying the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica
Consumer Reports expects the 2022 Pacifica will be much less reliable than the average new car. It’s actually already been recalled due to an unsecured seat.
Out of an overall rating of 100, Consumer Reports gave the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica a score of only 57. Yikes. Comparatively, rivals like the Kia Carnival scored a 79, Honda Odyssey scored a 78 and the Toyota Sienna ranked 79.
Additionally, most owners were not satisfied with the overall value they received for this vehicle. Relative to the price they paid, owners gave a 45% satisfaction rating on Consumer Reports. At a starting price of just over $37,000, you may want to consider another van over the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica.
4.7
