is one of the last-standing successful minivan models, offering plenty of room for all passengers. Yet it sacrifices the performance and off-road capabilities of many similar-sized SUVs.

A Chrysler Pacifica only has a ground clearance of 5.1 inches, which is dangerously low for off-roading. That being said, all-wheel drive is an available option, which certainly aids in handling difficult terrain.

The Pacifica can even tow up to 3,600 pounds, making it a surprisingly great choice for a family camping vehicle. Larger wheels are also available, but they offer no increase in ground clearance.

Curious about the Chrysler Pacifica’s off-road rating?

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Can the Chrysler Pacifica go off road?

You wouldn’t want to make a habit of taking your Chrysler Pacifica off road. With its low ground clearance, you’ll run the risk of damaging your minivan’s undercarriage.

But if you need something that can be called upon to drive on a dirt or gravel road in a pinch, the Pacifica will perform fine—as long as it’s driven carefully and safely.

Let’s look at the Pacifica’s specs to get a better idea of what it can do on rougher roads.

Ground clearance

We’ve mentioned it already: the Chrysler Pacifica’s low ride height ruins its chances of being a rough-and-ready off-road vehicle. It has a minimum ground clearance of only 5.1 inches, meaning uneven, rocky terrain would likely wreak havoc on its undercarriage.

SUVs usually sit higher off the ground, sacrificing a bit of passenger room. A minivan is built to optimize interior space, sacrificing ground clearance and off-road performance.

Torque

The Pacifica does get points for its V6 engine’s 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. It’s powerful enough, even on slippery surfaces or gravel roads.

However, it would need to perform better at lower RPMs to handle off-roading. Power (in this case torque) is needed at low speeds since climbing rocks typically starts from a near standstill as opposed to a running start.

Tires

Naturally, the torque generated by the engine will go to waste if the energy is lost in the transfer of power between a vehicle’s wheels and the ground. You need grippy tires to ensure that you won’t just spin out.

The Pacifica is available with a range of tires and wheel sizes from 17 to 20 inches. You’ll be best off with P245/60R18 all-season run flat tires, which can drive for about 50 miles, even after losing all of their air pressure! For winter driving conditions, you’ll want to equip your Pacifica with winter tires.

Off-roading, however, favors all-terrain tires. That’s not to say you couldn’t equip your van with a set, but you’d sacrifice performance and need to replace your tires more frequently if you did.

Drivetrain

The Chrysler Pacifica is only available with one engine, but you can choose from front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), depending on your needs. AWD adds about $3,000 to the price but offers a lot in terms of capability.

The Pacifica’s 3.6-liter V6 engine can produce a peppy 267 horsepower. FWD models get an EPA city/highway fuel economy rating of 19/28 mpg. The AWD model only gets 17/25 mpg, sacrificing efficiency for more versatile performance.

Angles

The last thing to discuss in terms of the Chrysler Pacifica’s ability to perform on difficult terrain is its approach and departure angles, which are defined as follows:

Approach angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference

Departure angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference

It’s safe to say you won’t be making it up or down any formidable hills in a Chrysler Pacifica. Its approach angle is only 14 degrees, while its departure angle is an equally underwhelming 18.7 degrees.

Off-road rating: In a Pinch

And with that, we can provide our final assessment of whether or not you should be taking your minivan off road. We’ve assigned the Chrysler Pacifica an off-road rating based on

Jerry’s

DIRT classification system.

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

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The Pacifica receives an I rating, although AWD models will offer more consistent performance in slippery conditions. Ultimately, the Pacifica isn’t an SUV—it’s a minivan. It’s simply not built with off-road driving in mind.

MORE:

How to stow away the Stow N Go seats in a Chrysler or Dodge minivan

The best off-road alternatives to the Chrysler Pacifica

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica has a starting price of $37,095. If you need something with as much space as the Pacifica that can go off road, you’ll likely be looking at full-size SUVs.

Unfortunately, almost any SUV is going to cost you some extra coin versus a minivan—you’re paying for more power and more utility. If you’re interested in looking at other options, here are some top competitors to consider:

Alternative	Model	Approximate Price	Description
Best affordable alternative	2018 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road	$37,000	Buy used to save some money
Best eco-friendly alternative	2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid	$27,400	EPA city/highway rating of 39/36 mpg
Best alternative for serious off-roading	2022 Rivian R1T	$68,575	An EV that can off-road like nobody’s business

MORE:

Chrysler Pacifica ground clearance

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles (and minivans)

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