Impressive Efficiency for Seven
Forty-one years ago Chrysler invented the minivan with the Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and the Chrysler Town & Country, the latter of which in 2017 became the Chrysler Pacifica. It wasn’t just a name change, but represented a completely new vehicle as the Pacifica added the option of electric drive as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). In addition to that it was far more modern and advanced.
The significance of Chrysler’s forward thinking was the Pacifica PHEV can run on pure electricity, significantly and positively affecting a household budget. Chrysler knew the Pacifica PHEV customers would be families and they wanted to help them stay away from gasoline stations as much as possible. They also knew how it would be used, which is why internally they call it a multipurpose vehicle, not a minivan. For this review we will stick with what the world knows it as—a minivan.
Today the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV stands alone in the market with the appeal for anyone needing a seven-passenger vehicle that can go a very long way on a tank of fuel. How about more than 520 miles? Or the 32 emissions-free miles using no gasoline as you chauffeur around the kids and do in-town errands? If this is appealing, then the Pacifica PHEV may be what you are looking for.
How It Works
The 2025 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV has a gasoline-powered 3.6-liter V6 and two electric motors, mated to an electrically variable transmission driving the front wheels. Using 87 octane, there is a total system of 260 horsepower. The EPA rates its fuel economy, when running as a hybrid at 30 miles per gallon, but fully charged it can go 32 all-electric miles. Combining gasoline and electricity the numbers jump to 84 MPGe, or miles per gallon equivalent. MPGe is an efficiency measurement of how far a car can travel, electrically, on the same amount of energy as is contained in one gallon of gasoline.
In 220 miles driving through Southern California, – Editor Picks achieved a combined 32.1 mpg, which breaks down to 104.9 all-electric and 115.1 gasoline-electric miles. This is excellent fuel economy for a 5,010-pound attractively styled shoe box that has a 0.30 drag coefficient.
Getting the Most from the Plug-In System
The Pacifica PHEV has three ways to charge the battery—plugging in, having the engine charge the battery or when slowing or stopping through regenerative braking. Let’s get something clear: If you can plug-in your phone overnight, you can do the same for your car. There is no mystery to having a full charge and the 32 miles of all-electric driving range every morning.
Plug-in charging can be done at your home (and can be scheduled for off-peak hours to save on electricity costs) or a public charging station. The 6.6-kilowatt onboard charger will replenish an empty battery to the maximum 32 miles driving range in about two hours using a 240-volt, Level 2 charger. Expect about 14 hours with a regular 120-volt household outlet. The Pacifica PHEV does not have Level 3/DC fast charger capability.
The regenerative braking system, which recharges the 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, converts kinetic energy into electricity when braking or coasting. So driving around town, stuck in stop-and-go rush hour highway traffic or coasting down hills recharges the battery. The battery recharge and electric mile range are metered instantly by dash gauges. There are no steering wheel paddles to adjust the regenerative level, so to get the maximum amount of slowing pace turn the gear selection wheel to the ‘L’ position.
Slowing and stopping in general were straight, with the 4-wheel power-assisted disc, anti-lock brakes, which were easy to modulate. To complete the stopping suite was brake assist, traction control and electronic stability control.
All-Electric Driving Range
With a fully charged battery, the Pacifica PHEV is rated to get 32 miles driving range on pure electricity, producing zero emissions. – Editor Picks, on an all in-town test loop, never exceeding 45 mph and encountering many stop lights, achieved 39.2 miles of all-electric driving. This demonstrates that, if the Pacifica PHEV is plugged in every night and the battery is charged to 100%, the 32 all-electric miles should cover most, if not all, daily driving.
Once the battery is depleted, the Pacifica PHEV is then powered by the gasoline-electric hybrid system. – Editor Picks would like to see a “EV Save” button, so the battery charge can be saved and used when needed, such as in the city where running on electricity is far more efficient than using gasoline. Conversely, when on the highway, having the option to turn off the EV mode and run the gasoline motor, will return the most efficient driving.
This efficiency feature is found on almost all battery electric and plug-in electric vehicles we test; we find it easy to understand and use. Chrysler says their “engineering team is always investigating ways to enhance the customer experience.“ If so, it seems the EV Save option should have been on the Pacifica PHEV from Day 1, or at least added in the past eight years. Maybe it will be on the refreshed Pacifica PHEV coming in 2026.
The bottom line is the Pacifica PHEV, with the 16.5 gallon fuel tank and a fully charged battery, has an estimated 520-mile total driving range. Charge the battery every night and the all-electric portion of the range grows and grows. San Diego to San Francisco? Charlotte to Orlando? New York City to Toledo? Yep, all on one tank and recharging the battery.
Cushy, Quiet Cruiser
The Pacifica PHEV smartly uses its weight to produce a smooth, cushy ride. With its low center of gravity (the heavy batteries are located under the floor), not much can knock around the Pacifica, including wind gusts. Passing big rigs had minimal effect on its stability and sure-footed feel. The steering was heavy, which we liked, and the electric power steering was tuned to give sufficient road feedback. The 235/60/18 Nexen NPriz all-season tires provided good grip, a quiet ride and tracked well through corners. To a point.
The Pacifica PHEV is not designed to be sporty nor meant to be driven hard on mountain or country lane curves. The weight and heft can be felt when pushing hard on corners, but the overall drivability and behind-the-wheel time was a pleasant experience.
Smooth Design
The Pacifica PHEV, redesigned for 2021, comes in two trim levels—Select and Pinnacle, the latter of which – Editor Picks drove. The design has a wide, low stance (5.1-inches of ground clearance), cutting a sleek silhouette (as much as a minivan can) and looked sharp painted in Red Hot Pearl ($495 option), which is one of five exterior colors.
The smooth exterior begins with bi-function LED headlights that wrap onto the fenders and frame the diamond-style grille. The body color door handles and power folding exterior mirrors with bright caps add to the look. Chrome was kept to a tasteful minimum with strips accenting the gloss black grille, surrounding the dark tinted windows and strips along the lower doors and across the lift gate. The 18-inch polished aluminum wheels with gray pockets finished off the classy and understated design.
The roof has a body color-keyed shark fin antenna, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a built-in spoiler over the rear hatch and platinum chrome roof rails. The C-shaped horizontal LED tail lights are connected by a light strip that runs the full width of the rear. The hands-free power lift gate that has a low lift-over, meaning loading items an easy task.
Seating Comfort for Seven
The interior on our Pacifica Pinnacle PHEV was done-up with a classy Black and Sepia combination. The suede headliner was a nice touch as is the white top stitching and piping on the Nappa leather seats and doors. The quilted front seats were heated and ventilated, with 8-way power adjustments including lumbar. The driver seat comfort was aided by the tilt and telescoping steering column. The heated leather-covered multi-function steering wheel had cruise, radio, telephone controls.
Thecockpit layout is simple and clean with soft touch materials on the dash and armrests. The piano black interior accents looked good against the restrained use of brushed aluminum trim. The center console is voluminous with hidden and open storage areas.
– Editor Picks is a big fan of the radio because it had volume and channel knobs. The climate control wheel, while the same size as the radio knobs, was separated so as to eliminate confusion. The simplicity of the dash layout made for easy reading of the configurable gauges and the full-color driver information display.
The UConnect Theater includes built-in Amazon Fire television, seat back video screens with remote controls, the very helpful Fam Cam that has cameras positioned to show what is happening in the second and third rows, and second and third-row window shades.
The 10.1-inch touch screen is home for the 3-D GPS navigation and the surround view camera that provides a 360-degree bird’s-eye view on the screen, as if looking down at your car’s positioning. This is extremely useful when parking.
The good-sounding Harmon Kardon audio system with a 10-inch rear subwoofer and 20 amplified speakers, controls the AM/FM HD radio and comes with a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM. You also get wireless phone charging, wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto, Aux-in jacks, multiple USB ports, a 115-volt power outlet and Bluetooth streaming audio and hands-free telephone. The 4G LTE Wi-Fi is a must for keeping those second-row passengers occupied (and quiet) on long family road trips.
Another nice touch on the dash, which opens-up cockpit space and reduces clutter, is the side-by-side large wheel gear selector and the electronic parking brake switch, located and next to the radio knobs. The well-thought-out dash is simple in design, as is the complete interior.
Second and Third Row: The Little Things
Access to the second and third rows is easy through the hands-free side sliding doors. The second-row Captain’s Chairs tilt forward, slide, recline and, while heavy, are easily removable. Slid to the forward position, the second-row seat opens the path to the third row. Once back there, three adults can fit (two in comfort), with even a 6-footer’s head not scraping the ceiling. Knee and leg room for third-row passengers was good and puts all but the largest SUVs to shame.
Second-row passengers get individual, multimedia 10-inch horizontal, high-definition seat back video screens with HDMI ports. The three-channel, wireless headphones and Bluetooth touchpad remote controls make for an uncluttered entertainment experience. There is also a ceiling mounted digital display to control the heat, vents and air conditioning.
Third-row passengers get a USB charge port and cup holders. And those third-row seats quickly and easily flip forward and down, as part of the Stow ’n Go system, hiding under the floor. When down, the storage space is impressive and very usable. The charge cord is neatly stored in a compartment in the rear cargo area.
Safety and Warranties
The 2025 Pacifica PHEV comes with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) featuring front-end side impact, knee, and side curtain overhead air bags, remote keyless entry, blind spot monitoring, rear cross path detection, rear parking assist with auto stop, anti-theft engine immobilizer, a tire pressure monitoring system and 4-wheel disc anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake assist.
Additional safety and convenience features include the parallel and perpendicular parking assist, rain sensitive windshield wipers, head lights on/wipers on, forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control.
The Pacifica PHEV received the highest safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The 2025 Pacifica PHEV comes with these warranties.
- Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Hybrid System – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Basic – Three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
Pricing
2025 Pacifica PHEV comes in two trims and two packages, with these base prices including the $1,995 destination charge. Federal tax incentives for vehicles with a plug are slated to end this month (Sept. 30). Individual states may have purchase incentive programs that would not be affected by any federal actions. The Pacifica PHEV may also qualify for an HOV sticker which allows only the driver to use the carpool lanes. Please speak with your tax professional or go here for more information.
- Select $53,050
- FAV Edition Package $54,975
- S Appearance Package $59,295
- Pinnacle $62,275
Observations: 2025 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle PHEV
If you are one of those “I will never drive a minivan” type of persons, you haven’t been keeping up with the times. The 2025 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV is the best choice for families. It offers creative seating up to seven, cargo flexibility, a full suite of safety technology and an efficient gasoline/plug-in hybrid engine.
Chrysler, now part of the Stellantis stable that includes Dodge, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and several European brands, has sold more than 15 million minivans since 1984 when it invented the segment. Its market strength continues as the best seller of minivans over the past three years.
But none of this success comes by standing still, as Jen Brabbins, vice president Chrysler sales operations, told us, “Chrysler is synonymous with minivans,” which is why they are continuing to invest in this segment. She went on with: “Next year will bring a refreshed version of the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid and the (gasoline) Chrysler Pacifica.”
To reach families, Chrysler ran two programs in late 2024—the Chrysler Pacifica Elf on the Shelf and the Official Halloween Minivan of Trunk or Treat with both promotions being hands-on around these two family-oriented holidays.
– Editor Picks drove the Pinnacle trim, which had all the premium touches, accessories and features. The best value may be the FAV Edition where the Safety Sphere ($1,280) and Uconnect Theater Family Group ($4,425) packages and the delivery fee ($1,995) gets all the most desired features and equipment for under $49,000.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Chrysler.
[See image gallery at ev-authority.com]
Disclosure
– Editor Picks is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@ev-authority.com or by commenting on any of our stories. We answer every comment!
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