2021 Chrysler Pacifica First Drive Review: AWD And Plug-In Hybrid Variants Reign Supreme

Fiat Chrysler is giving its new 2021 Pacifica minivan a significant mid-cycle refresh adds an all-wheel drive system back into the mix that can be combined with the beloved Stow ’n Go fold-down seats. The new Pacifica also makes standard a half-dozen advanced driver-assistance tech, and its plug-in hybrid version good for 30 all-electric miles and a combined range of 500 miles.  

The new Pacifica is an excellent family transporter despite continued troubled times for the breed, namely the decades-old perception that minivan buyers are limited to soccer moms (and dads), not people with lives defined by more than children and 529 college savings plans.

The 2021 Pacifica and Pacifca Hybrid (it’s really a plug-in hybrid) showcase the best of why people want and still buy these vehicles. This Pacifica is the spiritual descendent of the first boxy Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans of 1984, back when CD players were new and Wham! topped the charts. In profile, the Pacifica looks closer to a bullet train locomotive than a woodgrain-sided box. It could almost be mistaken for a long, low-slung crossover. Inside, it has more passenger room than a BMW X7 three-row SUV. Adults over six-feet can sit comfortably in the third row of a vehicle 204 inches long.

The things people loved about Chrysler minivans are still in the 2021 models, including the trick Stow ’n Go seating that folds second- and third-row seats into the floor and transforms Pacifica from an eight-passenger van (seven for the plug-in hybrid) to a cargo-hauler that can lug four-by-eight sheets of plywood.

New for 2021 is the availability of all-wheel drive ($2,995) offered for the first time since 2004. The AWD system features Chrysler’s power transfer unit, which splits torque from the nine-speed automatic transmission and routes it to the rear drive module making the system capable of shifting 100% of torque (power) to the rear wheels if the two fronts are stuck on ice. At the vehicle’s debut in North Carolina, Chrysler was able to demonstrate its efficacy on an icy, outdoor surface. The availability of Stow ’n Go and AWD in the same vehicle is possible because of a three-piece driveshaft.

Looks: Sleeker and Larger

Redesigned for 2021, the new Pacifica has been on a diet, losing its chubby flanks in favor of a more sculpted, muscular frame. This is a handsome people mover. It looks even more buffed with available S Appearance blacked-out trim. New standard LED headlights and a more prominent Chrysler winged logo define the aggressive front end. The view from the side makes the Pacifica look even larger thanks to strategic side sculpting, including a character line that starts at the A pillar ahead of the front doors and flows gracefully down toward the rear bumper. The new LED taillamp spans the entire rear end, Dodge Charger style.

Inside, comfort and convenience abound, especially on the higher trim lines. Chrysler’s goal with this new Pacifica is to move its share of the minivan segment upmarket in a similar vein to how higher trim lines on mainstream SUVs that can top $60,000. (When fully-loaded, the range-topping Pacifica Pinnacle comes close.) For the Pacifica, that means features like quilted leather seats, an acoustically laminated windshield that quiets the interior and unique interior trim options.

Big Center Stack Display

Chrysler’s 10.1-inch Uconnect touchscreen telematics system, now dubbed Uconnect 5, is five times faster than its predecessor. It allows up to five unique profiles and a valet mode that locks audio controls and presets. Chrysler says 10.1 inches is the “largest touchscreen in its class,” which is true, but don’t be surprised to see 12-inch displays reach mainstream vehicles shortly.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is Alexa capability. Uconnect includes Uconnect Theater, 13 games to keep rear passengers occupied. Upper trim levels get as many as 12–twelve!–USB ports.

The available FamCam rearview camera provides front driver and passenger with a close-up view of second- and third-row passengers; including the ability to view a rear-facing infant seat, zoom in on different seat positions and view all positions in the dark of night with the night-mode infrared setting. The combination–camera, zoom and IR for nighttime–is unique, Chrysler says.

Other interior choices include an available Stow ’n Vac system, abundant storage compartments and cupholders, wireless Qi charging and an available premium Harmon Kardon audio system.

Standard Driver Safety Assists

Safety helps sell family vehicles. Chrysler execs cite 97 now-standard safety features. Most importantly, automatic emergency braking for cars and pedestrians is new and standard as are six features that used to cost extra, including forward collision warning, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers and automatic high beams. Blind spot warning also is standard.

A “Safety Sphere” package combines a surround view camera, parallel and perpendicular parking assist as well as front parking assist.

What Powertrains Are Available on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?

As for powertrains, the gas Pacifica has a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission that delivers gets 287 horsepower and a towing capacity of 3,650 pounds. The plug-in hybrid is a modified 3.6-liter plug-in hybrid with an electrically-variable transmission that delivers 260 horsepower.

Even with less horsepower, the Pacifica Hybrid is considerably quicker than the gas-only V6, in part because an electric motor delivers maximum power at low rpm. The gas Pacifica can tow as much as 3,650 pounds.

Both versions have a supple ride and handle well for a minivan, on par with the Honda Odyssey. Within reason, the driving dynamic is well controlled and can even be fun on twisty country roads. In comparison, the Toyota Sienna, which also offers AWD, is distinguished more by its cockpit styling and reliability than its handling.

The plug-in runs 32 miles on electric power from a 16 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. Starting with a 100-percent charge and full tank of gas, the Pacifica can travel more than 500 miles. Its battery also is big enough to make it available for the full $7,500 federal tax credit.

The Pacifica is rated at 23 mpg combined. The Pacifica Hybrid has an EPA rating of 30 mpg combined and 83 MPGe.

How Much Does the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Cost?

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica comes in four trims: Touring, Touring L, Limited and Pinnacle. Prices for these four with all-wheel-drive are $38,040 list (all with shipping), $41,140, $48,390 (a $7,250 bump) and $53,390. The first two trims can be configured with front drive, which drops the cost by $2,995. Except for a $995 towing package, everything is included in the top-line Pinnacle.

The Pacifica Hybrid is front-drive only and if offered in the same four trims. From the bottom up, the variants cost $39,995, $42,295, $45,845 and $50,845. That sets up some unusual pricing quirks. The hybrid premium (over gasoline models) is $4,950 extra for the entry Touring and $4,150 for the Touring L, both configured with a front-wheel drivetrain. Conversely, the Pinnacle hybrid (front drive only) is $2,545 less than the gasoline Pinnacle (AWD only), or roughly the difference between front- and all-wheel drive.

There also are differences in equipment levels between hybrid and gas, according to a A Chrysler spokesperson. For example, the hybrids don’t have power-folding third row seats and lack the towing abilities.

The current minivan market is less than one third of the 1.4 million sold in their peek year of 2000. In 2019, sales of minivans topped 400,000 units and Chrysler products captured about half the market, according to MarketIntelligence. Now, the Dodge Grand Caravan is gone, with the Pacifica expected to take up the slack in the Chrysler family. There is also the Chrysler Voyager, an older design, for price-driven buyers, starting at $28,730. The final minivan in the 2021 market is the Kia Sedona, another bang-for-the-buck design that has been on the market since 2015.

The new 2021 Chrysler Pacifica will be built at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It will hit dealer lots next month.