Minivans are complicated. To be a performative car with eight people on board yet be the safest is no less than a feat. Especially, when the market is flooded with SUVs that are defining performance in a new way every day.
Chrysler, as a manufacturer has quite an odd presence in the market in this case. Aside from the aging fine wine, the 300, its reliance on the Pacifica line up is a pretty bold move and that is something that Chrysler has fined tuned it to perfection. The new 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is not just more appealing, it also boasts of a stance, that Chrysler proudly stands by - Form, Function, and Flexibility.
Whats’s New?
For 2021, Chrysler has given the Pacifica significant updates. To start off with their top-spec model, the Pinnacle trim. It replaces the earlier Touring L, and it features one of the most luxurious cabins. Rear seats come with pillows!
On the outside, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica gets a new front and back fascia, new 20-inch wheels with newly designed alloys, lighting elements, an animated 3D front grille, and tailgates. The long wrapped taillights give the Pacifica an odd SUV-ish look from the back. There’s also a new first-in-segment AWD drivetrain on offer, which will be an option in some of the Pacifica models. The hybrid powertrain will be available to most of the trims.
Inside, there’s a new a 10.1-inch infotainment display that features the latest Uconnect 5 interface, and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto. It also features a camera system where both driver and front-seat passenger can keep track of kids(if any) behind.
Perhaps the most significant development this year has to be the number of standard safety features on offer in every Pacifica. Features like Automated Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane-Departure Warning, Blind-Spot Monitoring, and Adaptive Cruise Control, are all standard on every Pacifica, irrespective of trims.
Pros:
- New AWD powertrain
- Luxurious interior
- Standard Safety Feature list
- Infotainment system
Cons:
- Front-wheel drive only Hybrid.
- Expensive option list
- Not the greatest sliding doors
Release Date & Pricing:
Though the cost of 2021 Chrysler Pacifica has not been disclosed yet. So, we can’t say for as of yet which trim will get what feature. But given the lineup and the little bit of information that we have, from the past and the present. The Touring L will seem to be the more reasonable of the lot. Also, provided that the new Pinnacle trim is slated to feature the most luxurious of the interior with quilted Nappa leather stitching, prices for this one can easily cross $50,000.
Prices for the 2021 Pacifica can start from $35,000 or more provided, the ongoing Corona Virus has affected Chrysler’s production line, especially the parts supplier in China. The 2021 Pacifica is expected to release in the fourth quarter of 2020. Customer possession should start by November, December.
Engine and Transmission
The Chrysler Pacifica has never been a straight-line burner nor was it developed on a Nurburgring. It might look aggressive but in its core, it’s purpose is to cut down on costs. So, the 3.6-Liter-V6 might not help in generating impressive 0-60 figures, because for obvious reasons. The V6 generates 287-horsepower and comes attached to a 9-speed automatic transmission.
|
Model |
2021 Chrysler Pacifica Touring (Expected) |
2020 Honda Odyssey |
2020 Kia Sedona |
2020 Toyota Sienna |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$35,000 |
$34,790 |
$33,700 |
$34,235 |
|
Engine |
3.6L Pentastar V6 |
3.5L V6 |
3.3L V6 |
3.5L V6 |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
AWD |
|
Transmission |
9-Speed Automatic |
10-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Power |
287 hp @ 6400 rpm |
280 hp @ 6000 rpm |
276 hp @ 6000 rpm |
296 hp @ 6600 rpm |
|
Torque |
262lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm |
248 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm |
263 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm |
|
0-60 MPH |
7.4 sec |
6.6 sec |
7.9 sec |
7.0 sec |
|
Quarter mile |
15.6 sec |
15.0 sec |
16.1 sec |
15.3 sec |
In the hybrid powertrain, the same engine generates just 260 horsepower, aside from the support it gets from two-electric motors that run on 16-kWh lithium-ion batteries.
Fuel Economy
The 2021 Pacifica has been engineered to be fuel-efficient. The Plug-in Hybrid Pacifica has combined efficiency figures of 84 MPGe and that is electric power alone. This minivan easily covered 23.4 miles on electric power only, so going by earlier EPA estimates, the Pacifica lived up to its 33 miles estimate. To sum it down, is the 2021 Pacifica fuel efficient? Yes.
|
Model |
Chrysler Pacifica L minivan |
Dodge Grand Caravan SE |
Honda Odyssey LX Minivan |
Ford Flex SE |
Kia Sedona L minivan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (city) |
N/A |
17 |
19 |
16 |
18 |
|
MPG (highway) |
N/A |
25 |
28 |
23 |
24 |
|
MPG (combined) |
32 |
20 |
22 |
19 |
21 |
|
Range (city/highway) |
342/532 |
340/500 |
371/546 |
298/428 |
380/506 |
|
Battery Range |
33 miles |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|
EPA MPG Equivalent- Combined |
84 mpg |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|
Tank Capacity (gal) |
16.5 |
20.0 |
19.5 |
18.6 |
21.1 |
Though the fuel tank capacity was reduced to 16.5 gallons with gas and electric powers combined the total drive range is calculated at 520 miles which makes the equivalent mpg 82. The new hybrid powertrain is effective and equally functional making this updated Pacifica, one of the most frugal MPVs in the business.
Interior
Chrysler has nailed the interior of the new 2021 Pacifica. Not only is it functional, but it also looks and feels upscale too. There are plenty of soft touches that can be found all over the dashboard. The top-spec Pinnacle trim has the most upscale of interiors that can be found in a minivan. With deep-quilted Nappa leather seats, heated steering wheels, and rear-captain seats that come with pillows - the interior of the new 2021 Pacifica can give a Maybach a run for its money.
|
Model |
2021 Chrysler Pacifica Touring (Expected) | 2020 Honda Odyssey | 2020 Kia Sedona | 2020 Toyota Sienna |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
First Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
40.1/63.8/41.1 |
40.7/63.1/40.9 |
39.8/63.9/40.9 |
41.0/65.0/40.5 |
|
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.6/63.0/39.0 |
39.5/61.6/40.9 |
39.4/63.1/41.1 |
39.7/64.6/37.6 |
|
Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
38.7/61.2/36.5 |
38.3/60.0/38.1 |
38.9/59.4/34.8 |
38.3/61.1/36.3 |
|
Cargo Capacity (behind 3rd/2nd/ 1st) (cu-ft) |
32.3/87.5/140.5 |
38.6/92.3/158.0 |
33.9/78.4/142.0 |
39.1/87.1/150.0 |
With large windows and thin pillars, visibility is a strong point on the Pacifica. The 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen is intuitive and easy to use. It features Chrysler’s new interactive system, Uconnet5. There are six USB ports spread around the cabin both at the front and rear so that gives you 12 ports in the car. The Ultra-console Pass-Thru storage compartment is a really clever design that makes use of most of the space.
Pacifica can home seven to eight people at one a time depending on the second-row seating option you pick. You can either go for the bench or the captain’s chair. The seats sit high above the ground but the actual round clearance is low. Access to the second row is though a sliding door that has a decent opening. The third-row access is easy too and can comfortably accommodate three adults. Also, despite featuring an AWD drivetrain, Chrysler has not compromised on its Stow and Go seats are still intact.
Exterior
Design philosophy wise, Chrysler has not tampered much with the 2015 design update. It does look different from last year with no significant changes as such. So, headlights have been changed. They are more triangular than fluidic as it was before. Though, the cheaper voyager has retained the same set headlights.
|
Model |
2021 Chrysler Pacifica Touring (Expected) | 2020 Honda Odyssey | 2020 Kia Sedona | 2020 Toyota Sienna |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
First Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
40.1/63.8/41.1 |
40.7/63.1/40.9 |
39.8/63.9/40.9 |
41.0/65.0/40.5 |
|
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.6/63.0/39.0 |
39.5/61.6/40.9 |
39.4/63.1/41.1 |
39.7/64.6/37.6 |
|
Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
38.7/61.2/36.5 |
38.3/60.0/38.1 |
38.9/59.4/34.8 |
38.3/61.1/36.3 |
|
Cargo Capacity (behind 3rd/2nd/ 1st) (cu-ft) |
32.3/87.5/140.5 |
38.6/92.3/158.0 |
33.9/78.4/142.0 |
39.1/87.1/150.0 |
The grille has been changed. Chrysler has dissed the earlier narrow grille design and has instead made it bigger. This gives the Pacifica a good demanding front profile. On the rear, Chrysler decided to join those two rear taillights, which gives the Pacifica an SUV -ish stance (as mentioned earlier). This really works for the minivan, for the subtlety that it adds to itself. Exhaust pipes are hidden and honestly, it doesn’t make much of a difference.
Safety
The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica features a long list of safety features along with a strong core safety. The Chrysler Pacifica hybrid is yet to be tested. Though the gas variant of the outgoing Pacifica was duly tested and IIHS names it as it's Top Safety Pick+ and NHTSA awarded it with an all-star rating. As said earlier the list of safety features is long with active safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, and more. Other driver-assist features include automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist.
- Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
- 2 Front Headrests
- Auto Delay Off Headlamps
- Tire Pressure Monitoring
- Traction Control
- Blind Spot Warning Accident Avoidance System
- Front, Rear, And Third Row Head Airbags
- 4-Wheel ABS
- Brake Drying
- Emergency Braking Preparation
- Front Fog/Driving Lights
- Post-Collision Safety System
- Child Seat Anchors
- Dusk Sensing Headlamps
- Ventilated Front Disc / Solid Rear Disc Brakes
Final Verdict
The Pacifica and the Voyager, are the only two vehicles in Chrysler’s line-up that match the credentials of a Utility vehicle. That goes on to show, how much Chrysler counts on the minivan. So, they have made Pacifica as relevant and modern as possible. And when we talk about these two points, the Pacifica has aced in both areas.
Should you go ahead and buy one? Absolutely. This is the safest vehicle, as far as its standard safety features are concerned and to top it off, it also has AWD. During the launch, it was specifically mentioned that the Pacifica will feel at home when driven on ice for the new AWD, again was introduced to go in line with functionality and feasibility.
Also Read:
Check out our detailed review of the upcoming 2021 Honda Odyssey.
