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.
Model
|
2018 Chrysler Pacifica
|
2018 Kia Sedona
|
2018 Honda Odyssey
|
2018 Dodge Grand Caravan
|
MSRP
|
$26,995
|
$27,000
|
$29,990
|
$26,250
|
Engine
|
3.6L V6
|
3.3L V6
|
3.5L V6
|
3.6L V6
|
Drivetrain
|
FWD
|
FWD
|
FWD
|
FWD
|
Transmission
|
9-speed automatic
|
6-speed automatic
|
9-speed automatic
|
6-speed automatic
|
Power
|
287 hp
|
276 hp
|
280 hp
|
283 hp
|
Torque
|
262 lb.-ft
|
248 lb.-ft
|
262 lb.-ft
|
260 lb.-ft
|
0-60mph (seconds)
|
7.6 seconds
|
7.7 seconds
|
7.5 seconds
|
7.2 seconds
|
Quarter-mile (seconds)
|
15.4 seconds
|
15.9 seconds
|
15.3 seconds
|
15.7 seconds
|
Top Speed (mph)
|
150 MPH
|
135 MPH
|
140 MPH
|
140 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.
Model
|
2018 Chrysler Pacifica
|
2018 Kia Sedona
|
2018 Honda Odyssey
|
2018 Dodge Grand Caravan
|
Brake Rotors: front (inches)
|
13
|
12.6
|
12.6
|
11.9
|
Brake Rotors: rear (inches)
|
13
|
11.9
|
13
|
12
|
Curb Weight
|
4,330 lbs
|
4,411 lbs
|
4,354 lbs
|
4,510 lbs
|
60-0 (ft.)
|
119 ft
|
130 ft
|
124 ft
|
N/A
|
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.