2018 Chrysler Pacifica

With the introduction of an all-new base L trim, the Chrysler Pacifica minivan is now available in a total of seven trims, which makes it better than some of its rivals that are limited by the number of options they provide. Each trim of the minivan is prompted by a standard V6 engine and remains similar in all other mechanical aspects as well. Starting at a base price of $26,995, the Pacifica comes with standard features like heated mirrors, dual-zone climate control, and rear parking sensors. While the number of comfort creatures, does improve as you move up the ladder, Chrysler also provides the option to avail for packages, however, these are dependent on the trim you opt for.

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Amongst the available trim options here, the Touring L is an ostentatious option that does not burn a gaping hole in your pocket. It adds abundant convenience features over the lower-level trims, without compromising on the utilitarian nature of the minivan. While even in its stock setup the van would suffice the needs of the buyers, we recommend adding the Advanced SafetyTec package to the mix for better safety and driver-assistance specifications.

Performing its duty under the hood of the Chrysler Pacifica is a standard V6 engine option. Though not built for pure acceleration, the 3.6L six-cylinder unit churns out 287 hp and 262 lb.-ft of torque, which are the highest outputs in the segment. They feel adequate for everyday use and are ample to pull the heft of the minivan. The engine comes mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission unit and as standard, all the power is sent to the front wheels of the vehicle.

In terms of the mechanical setup, there is no option that is provided to the buyers. The minivan sprints from 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds and while there is no sense of urgency in its performance, Chrysler’s van perfectly matches the requirements of the traditional buyers. The Pacifica, does, however, pick speed through the mid-range and breaches the quarter-mile mark in 15.4 seconds, recording the highest top speed in the segment of 150 MPH.

When compared to its likes, all the other minivans are also similar in their setups and come with V6 engines with FWD configurations. However, the power outputs tend to differ and so does performance. While the Dodge Grand Caravan is the quickest to the 60-mph mark clocking just 7.2 seconds, the Honda Odyssey takes lead in the quarter-mile run and manages to beat the Chrysler by one-tenth of a second. And as was expected, the Kia Sedona lurks at the bottom of the table, and its performance is restricted by its lower power and torque outputs of 276 hp and 248 lb.-ft, respectively.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica Ride and Handling

Once on the go, the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is a delight to drive. Barring its flaws, the Pacifica seems tailor-made to bestow a supple and comfortable ride quality, despite its imposing dimensions. It truly feels like a minivan with the antics of an SUV. It is easy to handle, with controlled body roll, and even when cornering, there is very little to be worried about. However, it does suffer due to its confusing 9-speed transmission unit, which lags during shifts and is slow-moving. Additionally, the little feedback from the steering wheel is also a cause of concern.

But by cohesively unifying sharp handling capabilities and a precise braking unit, the Pacifica promises to perform better than most of its competitors. It comes equipped with a four-wheel independent suspension unit, which allows it to tread over undulations with ease, and additionally, makes it better than the Kia Sedona that fails to filter out uneven surfaces and bumps.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica Braking Performance

Unlike its sluggish acceleration, Pacifica’s braking is quick and its prowess remains unmatched. The braking system does have a definitive bite to it and considering its dimensions and proportions, Chrysler’s halting distance of 119 ft, when decelerating from 60-mph, feels fitting. The minivan comes equipped with 13-inch brake rotors at the front and rear, which are the largest in the segment, and do work well considering the Pacifica is the lightest minivan in the segment. Additionally, the Pacifica comes with ventilated disc brakes and sports a 4-wheel ABS unit, which aids overall braking and helps deliver a comprehensive performance.

In comparison, the Kia Sedona and Honda Odyssey both take longer distances than the Chrysler Pacifica of 130 and 124 ft, respectively. This is because both these minivans come with a smaller set of brakes and have higher curb weights. The Dodge Caravan is also pretty much the same in terms of its setup, but its halting distance is not yet known. However, it fails to match the braking performance of its contemporaries because of a mushy pedal that causes an evident nosedive, which might not suit the traditional buyers.

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica’s oneness lies in its frugality. It averages a mileage of 18 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, allowing for a combined mileage of 22 MPG, which is the highest in the segment. However, its fuel tank of 19-gallons is the least voluminous and consequently, its performance is a bit underwhelming, when the range is concerned. It manages to cover 437 miles under combined driving conditions and while you can make peace with it in the long run, buyers who want better efficiency can also opt for the available hybrid variant on offer with the minivan.

In comparison, the Honda Odyssey is similar to the Chrysler when efficiency is concerned. However, by sporting a diminutively larger fuel tank, it manages to gain ascendancy in terms of range, averaging 460 miles under combined driving conditions. The Kia Sedona comes with the largest fuel tank of 21.1-gallons, takes the second spot in the segment, and proves to be a comprehensive alternative. Yet again, it is the Dodge Grand Caravan that fails to impress the buyers and by averaging a mileage of 20 MPG and a range of 420 miles, it remains at the bottom of the barrel.

Chrysler’s idea to build cabins on attributes of comfort, convenience, and luxury, is well evident in the way the Pacifica has been curated. While a lot has changed with the current iteration, Chrysler’s ability to uphold an ergonomic setup, which is driver-focused and easy to get used to is rather commendable. But the minivan’s oneness lies in its premium quality materials, which are better than most options available in the segment. The Pacifica resonates with an ostentatious aura and it comes with ‘Stow and Go’ middle row seats for improved utility. Amidst all its practicality, a rotary shift knob and a segmented central console add quirkiness to the design.

In terms of space, however, the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica does fall short of all its rivals. But by granting proportionate space in all rows, the minivan stands to deliver its promise of being a family hauler. The seats are spacious enough and offer a commanding position with ample under-thigh support, but we recommend accommodating children in the third row for better utilization of available space. The Pacifica comes with cloth upholstery as standard, however as you move up the trim ladder, the seats get adorned in leather, and even the comfort creatures tend to increase.

In their standard seven-seat avatars, all three contemporary minivans have larger interiors than the Chrysler Pacifica. But a capacious cabin does not ensure proper seating space. Both the Dodge Caravan and Kia Sedona have lower space in the third-row seats, which make them rather impractical for larger families and both these vehicles also fail to match the Pacifica when the quality of materials is concerned. However, they do have better cargo capacities to offer, but the difference is only diminutive.

On the other hand, the Honda Odyssey is the undisputed winner in this aspect. It has better space on the inside and comes with the largest trunk of 38.6 cubic feet. Even in terms of technology and comfort features, the Japanese minivan remains ahead of its competitors.

Some of the salient interior features available with the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica include:

• Dual/Tri-zone Climate Control
• Cloth/Leather Upholstery
• 8-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats on higher trims
• Rotary Gear Shift Knob
• Interior Air Filtration
• Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is an all-around option and to uphold its reputation, it provides an intuitive infotainment system that is user-friendly and considerably equipped from the base variant itself. The Pacifica makes use of the brand’s Uconnect infotainment system and comes with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. As standard, it also comes with a 5-inch display unit with touch functionality and sports a six-speaker sound system. However, with the higher level, both these units can be upgraded for better performance and a wholesome experience. Additionally, by opting for the Touring trims, buyers can also avail of the rear-seat entertainment package, which adds two large 10-inch display units behind the front seats for the passengers to rejoice.

Some of the other salient infotainment features available with the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica include:

• USB Connection
• Satellite Radio
• 13-speaker Alpine Sound System (available with the Touring L Plus and Limited trims)
• AM/FM Stereo
• Voice Recognition
• Auxiliary Audio Input

The Chrysler Pacifica’s design is not out of the ordinary, rather it’s subtle and traditional to the minivan segment. With no changes in 2018, the Chrysler minivan remains cavernous in its build and has a strong front fascia that sports the traditional grille and gets outer chrome treatment to justify its plush stature. The Pacifica still vaunts a sleek yet curvy design and its headlights are evidence of the fact, but at the side, the large doors for ingress and egress validate the imposing dimensions of the vehicle. While the rear is not as exciting as one would expect from a typical Chrysler vehicle, the upright and rather subtle is affable and does not compromise on rearward visibility.

The Chrysler Pacifica is the largest in terms of its dimensions. It has a total length, width, and height of 203.8, 79.6, and 69.9 inches, respectively, and has at least an inch’s advantage over its competitors. While its wheelbase follows a similar suit, the ground clearance of the Pacifica is the lowest at 5.1 inches. It is in no way built for off-roading, but occasionally, you can tread over those rough patches, if necessary.

In terms of design, there is not much to differentiate between the minivans in question here. However, if we were to pick our most and least favorite, we’d opt for the Chrysler and Dodge, respectively. While the Grand Caravan remains true to the minivan design with a bulky silhouette and oozes of muscularity, it looks old-school and could use a refresh to match the standards of other 2018 vehicles. On the other hand, the Kia Sedona and Honda Odyssey have likable designs and have the ability to age well, which would mean buyers not regretting their decision, five or seven years down the line.

When purely judged on the basis of the dimensions, the Honda Odyssey matches the Chrysler but has a shorter wheelbase of 118.1 inches. On the other hand, the Dodge Grand Caravan and Kia Sedona are marginally smaller but heavier options. They weigh 4,411 lbs and 4,510 lbs, respectively. Additionally, the Sedona has a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, which is the highest in the segment and feels more than adequate as per the vehicle’s traditional usage.

Some of the standout exterior features include:

• Rear Spoiler
• Fog Lights
• LED Headlights
• Sunroof
• 17/18-inch wheels
• Variable Intermittent Wipers

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica extends its likability in the segment with its top-notch safety ratings. It receives a cent-percent rating from NHTSA in the crash tests conducted by them and also manages to impress IIHS with its performance, ultimately being recognized as its “Top Safety Pick+” for 2018. As standard, the Pacifica comes equipped with features like traction and stability control, child seat anchors, brake drying, and daytime running lights. Additionally, it comes with other safety specifications which include:

• Post-collision Safety System
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Auto delay-off headlamps
• Engine Immobilizer
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Dual front-side mounted airbags

2018 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2018 Kia Sedona

 The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Kia Sedona are rather equally matched in aspects more than. They are similarly priced and at just $27,000, both minivans come with V6 engines under the hood and share common mechanical underpinnings as well. However, amongst the two, our pick, undoubtedly, has to be the Pacifica. Chrysler's minivan is more efficient than the Kia and gets a better overall interior build. It feels refined on the outside and has a sophisticated set of features. It has the best-in-class safety ratings as well, making it a well-rounded package

2018 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2018 Honda Odyssey

Honda’s Odyssey, perhaps, is the segment leader when it comes to the minivan segment. Despite being marginally more expensive than its rivals, the Odyssey seems to be a cracker of a deal that leads both in terms of performance and efficiency. When pitted against the Chrysler, the Japanese minivan promises to provide a better set of standard features and benefits from a neatly-curated cabin that vaunts higher space and also higher cargo capacity. Though the Chrysler has a more plush aura to it and tops the segment with its braking performance, Honda’s multifaceted nature helps it perform better than its rivals. 

2018 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan

The Dodge Grand Caravan does not pose any threat to the Chrysler Pacifica, it is in all ways inferior to its competitor. The Grand Caravan is not outright disappointing, but its performance is underwhelming, and in some cases substandard. Against its competitors, Dodge’s subpar efficiency, lackluster interior quality, and punishing ride quality, cause it to lose in the segment. And when compared directly to the Chrysler, the Grand Caravan’s less intuitive infotainment system and reduced number of standard features do very little to help its cause.

Proving its excellence time and again, the Chrysler Pacifica has become a viable option in the minivan segment. It delivers a multi-purpose and authoritative performance, and over its competitors, it promises to be a practical and utilitarian proposition. It is more efficient than any other competitor in the segment and with a supple ride quality that is complemented by decent acceleration, the Pacifica gains ascendancy. Additionally, it sports a premium cabin setup and even in terms of exterior design, it reeks of sophistication. So, if you are looking for an option that is high on space, is sharp and precise in its drive, and has all the ingredients of being a family hauler, then we suggest looking no further than the Chrysler Pacifica.