Having invented the modern minivan and following up with years of continued innovation in this segment, there's no denying that Chrysler is the minivan leader. That is backed up with the automaker having produced more than 15 million minivans since 1983!
One of Chrysler's biggest minivan innovations is the fuel-efficient 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, and the innovations keep coming for 2020 with an all-new Pacifica AWD model. While this all-wheel drive version just went on sale, we were able to test out a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited for a weeklong test drive review.
2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited Exterior
With a new look arriving for the 2021 model year, the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid carries over mostly unchanged with the exception of a new honeycomb mesh grille design on all trim levels. While it's hard to get excited about the design of a minivan, the Pacifica Hybrid has the best-looking design in its segment starting up front with a car-like nose that features a wide grille and stylish headlights.
In profile, the Pacifica seems to have a lower stance and more of a swept roofline than its rivals, and the best part about this design is the D-pillar where the shape of the window and the black trim above the taillights create an angled, upswept style to the rear end, which gives the overall design a more dynamic presence. The Limited trim level adds stylish 10-spoke, and this tester was finished in an eye-catching Jazz Blue pearl coat paint job.
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2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited Interior
Inside, the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica adds a sporty-looking Red S Appearance Package, but for this test drive review, we got to drive the luxurious Pacifica Hybrid Limited. When it comes to technology, the Pacifica Limited is unmatched when it comes to any three-row family vehicle, and that includes crossovers and SUVs.
All Pacifica Hybrids come with Chrysler's 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Limited trim adds hands-free power sliding door and hands-free liftgate, 20-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, heated and ventilated front seats and the Uconnect Theater with Wireless Streaming. This latter feature turns the Pacifica Hybrid from a minivan to the ultimate road trip vehicle by adding a Blu-ray/DVD player and two 10-inch screens, but this is far better than a standard rear-seat entertainment system as it comes loaded with nifty apps to keep the kids (and adults) plenty busy in the back seat. The optional ($1,895) three-pane panoramic sunroof brings plenty of light into this cabin as well.
Since the whole point of buying a minivan is to maximize space and comfort, that's exactly what the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica does best with three rows of seating and plenty of room for up to eight passengers and their gear. Unlike some hybrids and EVs, the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid doesn't lose any interior space with its advanced powertrain components, but the seating is reduced to seven passengers and the Hybrid is not available with the second-row Stow 'n Go seating. Third-row Stow 'n Go seats are standard on all 2020 Pacifica models, and with the middle seats removed and the rearmost seats folded flat, the Pacifica Hybrid's max cargo volume of 140.5 cubic feet is greater than that of a Chevrolet Suburban!
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2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited Powertrain
Just as it has done since 1984, Chrysler proves that it is a leader in this market thanks to the segment's only hybrid minivan. The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid pairs Chrysler's award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with a dual motor plug-in hybrid system and a lithium-ion battery pack. This combination allows the Pacifica Hybrid to deliver an EPA-estimated 32 miles of all-electric driving range, 82 MPGe combining gas and electric and gas-only estimates of 30 mpg in combined driving*. Even if you don't charge the battery all the time, the Pacifica Hybrid's combined driving fuel economy estimates represent an 8-mpg increase over the standard Pacifica, and after a week of driving, this tester showed 38.1 mpg in mixed driving - incredible fuel economy for such a large family vehicle! On top of that, the battery pack has warranty coverage of up to 10 years and 150,000 miles.
Minivans rose to fame due to their family friendly interiors, but the best part about owning one is loading the kiddos up and hitting the road. The suspension is surprisingly smooth despite the Hybrid's extra 500 pounds of curb weight, and even at highway speeds, the interior is extremely quiet thanks to the standard acoustic windshield and laminated front door glass - no need for gimmicks like the Sienna's microphone system that makes it easier for the rear occupants to hear the driver. From the driver's perspective, the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid doesn't have the spongy regenerative brakes that plagues many EVs, plug-ins and hybrids, which means that there are no compromises when opting for this more advanced and fuel-efficient family hauler.
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2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited Safety
While the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the non-hybrid version of this minivan received a five-star overall crash test rating.
All Pacifica Hybrid models come standard with eight airbags, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross path detection system, and this tester added a suite of advanced driver assistance safety features as part of the $995 Advanced SafetyTec Group. This includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Parallel and Perpendicular Park-Assist, ParkSense Front and Rear Park-Assist with Stop, 360-degree Surround-View Camera System, automatic high beam control and rain-sensitive windshield wipers.
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2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited Overall
Minivans and hybrids might get a bad rap from the enthusiast crowd, but the only way you'll find a vehicle that is more practical than either is by combining both. That's exactly what 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offers! Not only does the Pacifica check all the right boxes for family friendliness, its available plug-in hybrid powertrain delivers impressive efficiency including plenty of zero-emission driving and the ability to drive up to 520 miles on a single charge/tank of gas. Toss in the Pacifica Limited's luxurious and tech-filled cabin, and this minivan will easily tackle any road trip transforming the dreaded "are we there yet?" chant into something more along the lines of "we're there already?" from the kids.
Thanks to the return of the Chrysler Voyager for 2020, Chrysler can once again lay claim to the lowest-priced minivan on the market with the Voyager priced at $26,985**, while the better-equipped Pacifica is priced at $34,045**. Pricing for the more advanced and efficient Pacifica Hybrid starts at $39,995**. Going all in with the top-of-the line Pacifica Hybrid Limited and adding checking all the option boxes (which this tester did), you're looking at an as-tested price of $50,230. Keep in mind that none of these Pacifica Hybrid prices factor in any state or federal tax credits that some plug-ins and EVs qualify for.
Make sure to visit your local AutoNation Chrysler dealership and test drive the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica today!
