2024 Chrysler Pacifica Minivan

　　

2024 Chrysler Pacifica Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　, rating written byAlex NishimotoSenior Manager, Vehicle Testing Operations

　　Mike Schmidt has worked in the automotive industry since 2003. He has written nearly a thousand car-related articles and has been responsible for the upkeep of countless test fleet vehicles over the course of his career. Mike is a senior manager of vehicle testing operations at zzdcar and got his start working behind the scenes on the car manufacturer side of the business. Mike spent many a weekend working on the family car with his dad and was promoted from flashlight holder to tool gopher at a young age. He's had an appreciation of cars ever since.

　　The 2024 Pacifica is Chrysler's versatile minivan. And with the discontinuation of the 300 sedan, it's also the only model in the American brand's portfolio. The Pacifica is available with all-wheel drive and has a plug-in hybrid version that can drive about 32 miles on battery power alone. Non-hybrid models get the handy Stow 'n Go seating feature, which allows the second-row seats to disappear into the floor and open up the cabin for just about any cargo you can throw in it. The Pacifica is beginning to show its age, but regular updates keep it competitive.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Touring 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$166/mo  for Pacifica Touring

　　Pacifica Touring

　　Touring 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $38,425 MSRPTouring L 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $42,085 MSRPTouring L 4dr Minivan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $45,080 MSRPLimited 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $49,355 MSRPLimited 4dr Minivan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $52,350 MSRPSelect PHEV 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT) - $52,495 MSRPS Appearance PHEV 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT) - $54,990 MSRPPinnacle 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $55,015 MSRPPinnacle 4dr Minivan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $58,010 MSRPRoad Tripper PHEV 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT) - $55,190 MSRPPremium S Appearance PHEV 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT) - $58,490 MSRPPinnacle PHEV 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT) - $61,225 MSRP

　　vs

　　$202/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Minivan

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Passenger and cargo space

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica typically seats seven but can accommodate up to eight people with the optional second-row bench seat. Storage space inside the van is plentiful, with cubbies, trays and other thoughtful storage solutions spread throughout the cabin. When the middle seats are in use, the floor wells they fold into for Stow 'n Go double as hidden cargo compartments. With the back two rows folded, the cargo area expands considerably to 140.5 cubic feet. But perhaps more important, the load floor is almost completely flat, which makes sliding things in very easy.

　　

Competitors to consider

The Chrysler Pacifica competes with other minivans on the market, including the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival. Soon, the Pacifica will also compete with the all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz, an EV that harkens back to the original VW Microbus made popular in the 1960s and '70s. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below to find out how the Pacifica stacks up to its competitors.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Please note that this rating is based on a prior year and may change slightly once complete information about the 2024 Pacifica becomes available.

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Pacifica drive? The Pacifica's performance is merely adequate. Its V6 engine isn't going to push your head back, but it's not going to let you down. Acceleration is average for the class, as is its braking performance. This minivan operates at an even keel most of the time. The steering and handling are also unremarkable. Both the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey offer a better experience if you're the one behind the wheel.

　　The nine-speed automatic transmission works as expected in most situations. We found it sometimes got confused when we were going up or down steep hills, choosing a gear higher or lower than the situation required. It kept the driver a bit busier than we'd prefer.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Pacifica? The front seat padding is firm, but ultimately we found the seats to be comfortable for long drives. The available heating and cooling for the front seats work great too. The second-row Stow 'n Go seats are less comfortable than those in other minivans, however. They also offer less adjustment, which means a little less legroom for the second row too. Third-row comfort is acceptable.

　　The ride is compliant and generally smooth across varying road surfaces. There is body lean when the road starts to twist, but in this respect the Pacifica is pretty comparable to other modern minivans. The V6 engine noise isn't off-putting like the Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain since it uses a more traditional automatic instead of the Hybrid's continuously variable automatic transmission. But the nine-speed transmission's tendency to shift down extra gears can make the engine noise chime in unexpectedly at times.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below