10 Things You Need to Know About the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid driving ・ Photo by Chrysler

The Chrysler Pacifica minivan was an all-new vehicle for the 2017 model year, replacing the aging Chrysler Town & Country. Though it replaced an outgoing model, don’t think of the Pacifica as simply a refreshed Town & Country. This is an entirely new vehicle that has little in common with its predecessor other than being a minivan.

The Pacifica is a thoroughly modern vehicle and unique among minivans for offering both a hybrid and gas powertrain. It’s also loaded with amenities designed to appeal to today’s families. Here are 10 things you should know about the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

1) It's the first-ever hybrid minivan.

There are lots of choices for hybrid vehicles, but when it comes to minivans, there’s only one. The Chrysler Pacifica is the first and only hybrid minivan you can buy. It’s fitting that Chrysler is the first automaker to produce a hybrid minivan — since it kicked off the whole minivan craze in the first place way back in 1983.

The Pacifica Hybrid combines family-friendly features like flexible seating configurations, rear-seat entertainment systems, and room for plenty of cargo with the benefits of hybrid fuel efficiency. That summer road trip just got a lot more affordable.

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2) This isn't the first Chrysler that has used the Pacifica name.

If you’re confused about the name because you’re sure the Pacifica was an SUV, then you’re right. Although this is a whole new vehicle for Chrysler today, the Pacifica name is one Chrysler first used on an SUV.

The Pacifica SUV looked more like a station wagon than today’s SUVs or crossovers and was a part of the lineup from 2004 until 2008 when it was discontinued. Although the name isn’t new, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan is entirely new and has nothing in common with its namesake.

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3) It's a plug-in hybrid for extra charging flexibility.

The Pacifica Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, so you have more options for charging your battery and avoiding using that gas engine. On a family road trip, you can top it off during food or bathroom breaks even if you don’t have enough time to fully charge the battery. This is a hybrid, not a fully electric vehicle, so the gas engine is always there for backup even when the battery charge runs low.

Charging time is two hours with a 240-volt power supply. It can also be charged at a 120-volt outlet if that’s all you have available. This increases charging time to 12 hours, so it’s best reserved for overnight use.

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4) It's more affordable than you think, thanks to tax credits.

Pricing on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid runs higher than it does on the gas-powered models, with the base Touring Plus starting at $39,995. That higher price tag is offset by tax credits to help make it a more affordable choice.

There’s a $7,500 federal tax credit, for starters. Depending on where you live, there may be additional state and local tax credits to bring the price down even further. Remember, these credits are subject to change, so double-check on what’s offered when you’re ready to buy so that you’re not unpleasantly surprised at the dealership.

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5) There are three well-equipped trim levels.

Part of the reason pricing takes a jump with the hybrid version of the Pacifica is its limited number of trim levels. Chrysler got rid of the more basic trims in the hybrid and made the base model the Touring Plus at $39,995. Its standard features include a three-zone automatic climate control system and Uconnect with an 8.4-inch touchscreen.

The mid-range hybrid model is the Touring L at $41,995, which adds a power liftgate, remote start, second-row window shades, heated front seats, and a full-length floor console. Sitting at the top of the lineup is the Limited at $44,995. It adds a hands-free power liftgate and power sliding doors, automatic high-beams, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats.

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6) There's no Stow 'n Go second row or built-in vacuum.

The big benefit to a hybrid is its fuel economy, but there are sacrifices. The gas-powered Pacifica comes with several features not available on the hybrid. One is a built-in vacuum cleaner. This feature is found only on the top trim of the gas-powered model, so it has limited availability, but you can’t get it at all on the hybrid.

Second-row Stow 'n Go seating — the ability to fold the middle-row seats into the floor to hold more cargo — also isn’t available on the hybrid. With the seats upright on most Pacificas, space under the floor is extra storage. In the hybrid, this space holds the battery, so you lose the extra cargo room. Finally, there’s no second-row bench seat, so seating is limited to seven passengers.

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7) Its fuel economy and electric range help you go farther between stops.

A hybrid is great for the environment, and it’s also great for your wallet when you can just cruise on by the gas station. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 84 MPGe with gas and electric power combined.

It also has a 33-mile range in all-electric mode and a total combined range of 566 miles. A family full of kids isn’t likely to make it that far before someone needs a bathroom break, but it’s nice to know you don’t have to stop for gas as often if everyone can just hold it for a few more minutes.

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8) The power tailgate and power sliding doors are all hands-free.

When your hands are full, it’s a pain to get the doors of any vehicle open. Automakers solved that problem partly by introducing hands-free tailgates, so you don’t have to dig your keys out of your pocket to pop the car open and load cargo.

Chrysler takes that idea one step further with the introduction of the first-ever hands-free power sliding doors on the Pacifica. Walk up to the Pacifica, wave your foot under the sliding doors, and they’ll slide open. The key fob can stay in your pocket or buried in your purse, saving you time and frustration when you’re loading up the kids or groceries.

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9) Uconnect Theater keeps the whole family entertained.

One of the biggest challenges when driving with a car full of kids is keeping them entertained, especially on longer trips. The Chrysler Uconnect Theater provides all the entertainment kids need, whether you’re driving across town or driving across the country. It includes two 10-inch seatback touchscreens that flip down when not in use.

There are HDMI inputs for each screen, or kids can stream videos through the built-in wireless hotspot. They can also watch DVDs loaded into the player up front or entertain themselves with a suite of apps designed just for kids. There’s everything from educational games to an “Are We There Yet?” app for kids to know the time and distance until the trip is over.

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10) Advanced safety features are reserved for the top trim.

Every Pacifica comes standard with multiple airbags, blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. Advanced features are available, but they’re limited to the top trim of the hybrid. Even as an option package, you can’t get the latest safety technology on lower trims.

The Advanced SafetyTec Group runs $995 on the Limited trim and adds a long list of safety features, including advanced brake assist, full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane departure warning, parallel and perpendicular park assist with stop, front and rear park assist with stop, and a surround-view camera. This is a great price for such a comprehensive safety package and is well worth the cost.

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