2021 Chrysler Pacifica

Is the Chrysler Pacifica a Good Minivan?

Yes, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is a good minivan. It has almost everything you could want in a family vehicle, from a gentle ride, a capable engine, and thrifty mpg estimates to a versatile cargo hold. This van also has an extensive features list, with family-friendly options like a rear-seat entertainment system, a built-in vacuum cleaner, and a camera that displays images of the rear seats through the infotainment system. The Pacifica does have some shortcomings, however, including a high starting price, a subpar predicted reliability rating and stiff rear seats.

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To make our car rankings and reviews as consumer-oriented as possible, we do not rely on our personal opinions. Instead, we analyze hard data such as cargo space dimensions, horsepower specs, and predicted reliability, as well as the opinions of the automotive press.

This 2021 Pacifica review incorporates applicable research for all models in this generation, which launched for 2017.

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Should I Buy the Chrysler Pacifica?

For a family vehicle, the Chrysler Pacifica is definitely worth considering, especially if you need versatile, easy-access cargo space. Since Dodge discontinued the Grand Caravan for 2021, Chrysler is now the only brand to offer Stow ‘n Go seats, which fold into the floor rather than having to be removed to maximize cargo capacity.

Though the Pacifica is appealing, there are other good, more affordable minivans to consider. The Honda Odyssey has more cargo room than the Pacifica, and its handling is more responsive. If you’re looking for something with better mpg ratings, you might consider the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

Find a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica for sale near you »

2020 vs. 2021 Chrysler Pacifica: What's the Difference?

Chrysler made some noteworthy updates to the Pacifica for 2021. It gains standard driver assistance features such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, a revamped infotainment system with a larger touch screen (10.1 inches, up from 7 in older models), and refreshed interior and exterior styling.

Compare the 2020 and 2021 Pacifica »

Here are the key changes for the Chrysler Pacifica minivan since it launched as an all-new vehicle for 2017:

• 2018: base L trim introduced with standard 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto
• 2019: no notable changes
• 2020: gained available all-wheel drive; L and LX trims split off into new Chrysler Voyager
• 2021: refreshed exterior and interior styling; enhanced infotainment system; more standard safety features; Pinnacle trim debuts

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2018 Pacifica, 2019 Pacifica, and 2020 Pacifica reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

How Much Does the Chrysler Pacifica Cost?

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica has a base MSRP of $35,045, which is well above average for a van. The top-of-the-line Pinnacle trim exceeds $53,000.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Chrysler dealer.

Chrysler Pacifica Versus the Competition

Chrysler Pacifica vs. Kia Sedona

The Kia Sedona is a great minivan. It boasts an easy-to-use infotainment system, a comfortable ride, and balanced handling. It also has a refined cabin full of quality materials. The base Sedona also costs around $4,600 less than the base Pacifica. On the other hand, the Chrysler has more standard features and better mpg ratings than the Sedona. The Pacifica can also be had with all-wheel drive or a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. Choosing between these vehicles is a matter of preference.

Compare the Pacifica and Sedona »

Chrysler Pacifica vs. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, has a lot in common with its nonhybrid counterpart, but there are some significant differences as well. While the Pacifica Hybrid’s third row folds into the floor, its second row lacks Stow ‘n Go capability, which means you must remove this row to use that space. However, that also means the hybrid has better cushions and, thus, more comfortable second-row seats, as they don't need to be compact enough to fold into the floor. Also, the Pacifica Hybrid has swifter acceleration than the nonhybrid Pacifica, thanks to the instant torque delivered by its electric motors. As you’d expect, the hybrid earns better mpg ratings too. Notably, the hybrid is front-wheel drive only, whereas the gas-only model is available with all-wheel drive. There’s no wrong choice between these minivans.

Compare the Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid »

Compare the Pacifica, Sedona, and Pacifica Hybrid »

Pacifica Interior: Full of Features

Pacifica Cargo Space

This vehicle comes with 32.3 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and a total of 140.5 cubic feet with both of these rows folded. That's a lot of room, but it's less than what you’ll find in other minivans. However, other vans don't have Chrysler’s convenient Stow ‘n Go seats, which fold into the floor rather than needing to be removed like in many rivals. With the Grand Caravan discontinued for 2021, the Pacifica, Pacifica Hybrid, and Voyager are the sole minivans with this nifty feature (the hybrid model only has Stow ‘n Go seating for the third row).

A power liftgate is standard, and a hands-free liftgate is available.

How Many People Does the Pacifica Seat?

The Pacifica is a three-row minivan that can seat up to eight people with the second-row bench seat or seven people if you get the second-row bucket seats. Cloth upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and Stow ‘n Go second- and third-row seating come standard.

Plenty of seating upgrades are available. These include leather or Nappa leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a power-folding third-row bench seat. Hands-free power-sliding rear doors are also available.

Up front, the seats are spacious and comfortable, and visibility is excellent in all directions. However, because the rear seats were designed to fold flat into the floor, they’re not well-padded. Anyone sitting back there for longer than a short jaunt may start to feel uncomfortable.

Pacifica and Child Car Seats

There are four complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats.

Pacifica Interior Quality

The Pacifica has a mostly upscale cabin with quality materials. Higher trims get luxurious touches such as chrome accents, but there are a few cheap plastics in the lower trims.

Pacifica Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

The Uconnect infotainment system remains one of the most straightforward on the market, with a responsive touch screen that displays clearly organized menus. The included wireless Apple CarPlay is a rarity, even among luxury vehicles.

• Standard infotainment features: a 10.1-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker sound system, satellite radio, HD Radio, a USB port, and Bluetooth
• Available infotainment features: navigation, a 13-speaker Alpine stereo, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, additional USB ports, an overhead DVD player, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and a "Famcam" (a camera that displays the rear seats through the infotainment display)
• Additional standard features: tri-zone automatic climate control and remote start
• Other available features: a dual- or tri-pane panoramic sunroof and a vacuum cleaner

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?

Read more about interior »

Pacifica Performance: Gentle Driver

Pacifica Engine

Powering this Chrysler is a 3.6-liter V6 engine rated at 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine is potent enough for most driving situations, though you may have to hit the gas pedal with some force to accelerate from a stop with any real vigor. The automatic transmission usually works well, but it can hesitate to shift.

Pacifica Gas Mileage

The 2021 Pacifica earns an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Those are good ratings for the minivan class, on par with the Honda Odyssey.

Pacifica Ride and Handling

The Pacifica’s ride is as gentle as you could hope for from a minivan. This Chrysler has little body roll, helping it feel planted around turns and engaging to drive. It’s also the only van besides the Toyota Sienna to offer all-wheel drive.

Pacifica Towing Capacity

When properly equipped, this vehicle can tow up to 3,600 pounds.

Read more about performance »

Pacifica Reliability

Is the Chrysler Pacifica Reliable?

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica has a below-average predicted reliability rating of 2.5 out of five.

Chrysler Pacifica Warranty

Chrysler covers the Pacifica with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

Pacifica Safety

Pacifica Crash Test Results

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2021 Pacifica the highest rating of Good in all six crash tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave this van an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test.

Pacifica Safety Features

Standard advanced safety features:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Rearview camera
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Lane keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control
• Rear parking sensors
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

Available advanced safety features:

• Front parking sensors
• Parallel and perpendicular park assist
• Surround-view parking camera system

Read more about safety »

Pacifica Dimensions and Weight

The Pacifica is 17 feet long. Its curb weight ranges from 4,521 to 4,883 pounds. Its gross vehicle weight rating is between 6,055 and 6,300 pounds.

Where Is the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Built?

Chrysler builds the 2021 Pacifica in Canada.

Which Chrysler Pacifica Model Is Right for Me?

Chrysler makes the 2021 Pacifica in four trim levels: Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle. All four models have a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard in the first two. All-wheel drive is available in those and standard in the Limited and Pinnacle trims. Chrysler also makes the Pacifica Hybrid and Voyager minivans, which we review separately.

Eight-passenger seating is available for $595 in all but the Pinnacle trim, which can seat up to seven. The well-equipped base Touring trim is a good bet for most shoppers.

Chrysler Pacifica Touring

Standard equipment in the entry-level Touring (MSRP: $35,045) includes the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which features a 10.1-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, satellite radio, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, and a USB port.

Also standard is a power liftgate, tri-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote start, cloth upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, Stow ‘n Go seating, and alloy wheels. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors.

The $495 Cold Weather Group adds heated front seats and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The Uconnect Theater Family Group costs $2,395 and features a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.1-inch touch screens, third-row USB ports, and a Blu-ray DVD player. The DVD player and a panoramic sunroof are also available as standalone options.

Chrysler Pacifica Touring L

Retailing for $38,145, the Chrysler Pacifica Touring L adds perforated leather seats, rear ambient lighting, third-row retractable sunshades, grocery bag hooks on the third-row seatbacks, and the contents of the Cold Weather Group.

The Theater Family Group remains available. For $2,000, you can get a 13-speaker Alpine stereo, a navigation system, a surround-view parking camera system, a park assist system, and front parking sensors as part of the Premium and Safety Sphere Group.

Chrysler Pacifica Limited

Limited models start at $48,930. They pick up premium Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, second-row heated seats, a power-folding third row, a hands-free power liftgate, hands-free power-sliding doors, a tri-pane panoramic sunroof, a vacuum cleaner, and the Touring L’s optional tech features.

The Theater Family and Premium and Safety Sphere groups are available. A 19-speaker premium Harman Kardon stereo is optional too.

Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle

The Pinnacle trim has an MSRP of $53,390. It gains chrome exterior trim, second-row captain’s chairs with under-floor storage bins, and the Harman Kardon sound system. Also included are a Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system and the contents of the Premium and Safety Sphere Group.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Chrysler dealer.

See 2021 Chrysler Pacifica specs and trims »

The Final Call

There’s a lot to like about the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. It offers composed handling, a cushioned ride, good fuel economy estimates, intuitive infotainment controls, and a practical means of storing cargo thanks to the Stow 'n Go folding seats. Furthermore, its list of features is one of the longest among any vehicle on the market, including other minivans. As far as family cars go, you could do a lot worse than this Chrysler. Keep in mind its high base price and lackluster predicted reliability though.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "When it comes to hauling people and cargo, minivans are better than SUVs—a fact we wish more consumers would accept—and the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is our current favorite. The Pacifica is a thoughtfully designed, comfortable family van, and its eager driving dynamics are the icing on the cake. Both a regular V-6 engine and a plug-in hybrid powertrain are offered, and in our testing, each proved to be reasonably fuel efficient. The second and third rows fold completely flat to transform the Pacifica into a spacious cargo van, making it perfect for hauling bulky items." -- Car and Driver
• "The Pacifica is great at suburban errands and long road trips alike. It might even be called the ultimate utility vehicle." -- Autotrader
• "The minivan pond isn’t so large these days, but the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica remains a big fish. It shares its habitat with rivals like the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Kia Sedona. Like them, the Pacifica is a great choice for sensible families seeking greater space and easier access than that of a crossover/SUV. The Chrysler has room for up to eight occupants (depending on configuration), along with stable and comfortable road manners. Active safety and driver-assistance features are standard. The Pacifica also offers the option of all-wheel drive, another reason not to concentrate solely on crossover/SUV alternatives. Where the Pacifica carves out its own niche, however, is the availability of a plug-in hybrid variant." -- Kelley Blue Book