What was then the Chrysler Corporation invented the modern minivan in 1984, when it unveiled the Dodge Caravan and the Plymouth Voyager. Things have changed a lot since then. Plymouth no longer exists, and while Dodge is still around and owned today by parent company Stellantis, the Caravan nameplate has shifted to the Chrysler brand in Canada. This helps cement the brand’s segment leadership alongside the Chrysler Pacifica minivan.
But one thing hasn’t changed in that time: through all the ownership shifted from Chrysler to FCA and later Stellantis, the automaker’s minivans have always been built in Canada. Windsor Assembly has been responsible for the majority of the company’s minivan production since it began back in 1983. Today, the Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Grand Caravan (or Chrysler Voyager, as it’s known in the United States) are assembled alongside the new Dodge Charger at Windsor Assembly, which is the largest employer in Windsor, Ontario.
When the new Chrysler Pacifica was introduced for the 2017 model year, it replaced the Town & Country minivan that was produced from 1990 to 2016. The Town & Country was initially marketed as the most luxurious version of the automaker’s lineup of vans. However, by the time the last one rolled off the assembly line in 2016, it was out of date and uncompetitive with challengers such as the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica reinvigorated the automaker’s minivan line as a modern and stylish entry into the family hauling segment.
The Chrysler Pacifica is offered with two powertrain options. The gasoline-fueled Pacifica is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine that produces 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. On the electrified side, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs a more efficient version of the V6 engine with two electric motors and produces a combined 260 horsepower. The Pacifica PHEV can travel up to 51 kilometres on electricity with a fully charged battery, and with its combined rating of 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres, it can cover nearly 800 kilometres between fill-ups.
While the Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan today, that hasn’t always been the case, because the earliest Chrysler Pacificas were midsize SUVs. We’ll examine both in this Chrysler Pacifica buying guide along with which models years are best, which to avoid, and how much you should expect to pay for each on the used vehicle market.
Chrysler Pacifica Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Chrysler Pacifica Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Chrysler Pacifica Pros and Cons
- Chrysler Pacifica Generations
- First Generation (2017-Present)
- Chrysler Pacifica (crossover) (2004-2008)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Chrysler Pacifica years are the best?
While most people haven’t historically associated products from Chrysler with top reliability scores, RepairPal.com (via Edmunds.com) rates the 2017 to 2023 Pacifica as its number one minivan for reliability with a score of 4.5 (out of a total of five stars). CarComplaints.com data suggests the 2019 and newer Pacifica, in both standard and Hybrid forms, is the best bet for reliability.
If you need a minivan for your family and want the most luxurious accommodations possible, the Pacifica Pinnacle introduced for the 2024 model year may be exactly what you’re looking for. It features a lovely sepia quilted Nappa leather interior.
If you’re checking out the original Chrysler Pacifica, which was sold in crossover form from 2004 through 2008, the last two model years from 2007 and 2008 are the best. Look for one powered by the optional 4.0-litre V8 and six-speed automatic instead of the base 3.8-litre engine and its older four-speed transmission.
What are the worst Chrysler Pacifica years?
The old axiom that the first model year of a newly designed vehicle should be avoided holds true with the Chrysler Pacifica. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is the most troublesome model year, with no other coming close.
The most common complaints reported by owners of the gasoline-fueled 2017 Chrysler Pacifica relate to transmission issues, followed by problems with the body and paint, interior accessories, and the engine. Keep an eye out for all the above during a test drive. Pacifica models built from 2018 haven’t received nearly the number of complaints as the 2017 model and, as you would expect, the number of complaints has since dropped.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, on the other hand, has the most complaints levied at the 2018 edition. This again makes sense because the plug-in hybrid powertrain sold in limited numbers in 2017 before becoming more available for the 2018 model year.
If you’re shopping for a used Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, be aware that the large 16-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack can be very expensive in the admittedly unlikely event that it goes bad and needs to be replaced in its entirety.
There aren’t many Pacifica crossovers from 2004 to 2008 model years on the used market. If that’s what you’re looking for, avoid the 2004 to 2006 model years entirely and only consider 2007 and 2008 models with the optional 4.0-litre V6 engine.
Is a used Chrysler Pacifica a good deal?
Considering that the Chrysler Pacifica is generally a reliable vehicle and that its prices trail those of also-reliable rivals, such as the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna, a used Chrysler Pacifica is indeed a good deal. Even a newer well-equipped Pacifica should be thousands less than a new model and will have some remaining factory warranty, especially if you buy from Chrysler’s certified pre-owned fleet.
Although the Pacifica Hybrid carries a higher MSRP than the standard model when new, prices on the used market aren’t all that different between the two versions.
Chrysler Pacifica Pros and Cons
Pros
- Multiple powertrain options
- Stylish design
- Impressive electric range from hybrid
Cons
- All-wheel drive not available with hybrid
- Hybrid has fewer storage options
- Interior materials feel cheap
Chrysler Pacifica Generations
First Generation (2017-Present)
There is only one generation of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan. There was an earlier crossover from Chrysler that was confusingly also called Pacifica, which we’ll briefly discuss below. However, the current Pacifica van was initially released for the 2017 model year. While that makes the Chrysler Pacifica one of the oldest current minivans as of this writing, it remains competitive and has been a strong seller throughout its production run.
When it debuted in 2017, the Pacifica was available in Canada in Touring-L, Touring-L Plus, and Limited trim levels. Even in base trim, the Pacifica came standard with desirable items such as 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, a rear-view camera, leather upholstery, heated front seats, heated mirrors, remote locks, push-button start, power sliding doors and a power liftgate, a 12-way power driver seat, and automatic three-zone climate control. A standard five-inch touchscreen display ran Chrysler’s well-regarded Uconnect infotainment system, and Bluetooth was standard along with USB and an auxiliary input.
Seven-passenger seating was also standard in the 2017 Pacifica. As an added bonus, Chrysler’s second-row Stow 'n Go seats were included, which allow for extra storage or a flat load floor depending on their configuration. The third-row seat folded with a 60/40 split. With all the seats folded into the floor, the cavernous interior could swallow a 4x8 sheet of drywall or plywood, according to Chrysler.
The Touring-L Plus added a heated steering wheel and heated second row seats, an improved audio system, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, perforated leather upholstery, rear park assist, second and third-row USB ports, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, and other features.
In top Pacifica Limited trim, the spacious family van brought along every goody in Chrysler’s minivan stable, including panoramic sunroofs, upgraded ventilated front seats with a driver’s seat memory function, Nappa leather, a power-folding third row, hands-free power side doors and liftgate, on-board navigation, and even a very useful integrated vacuum system called Stow ‘n Vac to help keep it clean inside.
An Advanced SafetyTec Group package was optional on Touring-L Plus and Pacifica Limited models, and included automatic wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, lane departure warning, lane departure intervention, forward collision warning, forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, and automated park assist for both parallel and perpendicular assist.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came to the market shortly after the introduction of the gasoline version. Because its battery packs are situated under the floor area, Chrysler’s innovative Stow ‘n Go seats aren’t offered in the Pacifica Hybrid.
New entry-level L, LX, and Touring models were added to the Canadian line-up in 2018. The infotainment system was upgraded that same year to include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All-wheel drive became an option with gasoline-fueled Chrysler Pacifica models for the 2020 model year, but it has never been paired with the fuel-saving plug-in hybrid powertrain.
In 2020, the Grand Caravan nameplate was shifted from the Dodge brand to Chrysler in Canada. In conjunction with the Chrysler Voyager nameplate used in the U.S., this van carried on with the Pacifica’s pre-refresh styling and replaced its lower trim levels.
The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica received refreshed styling inside and out. The new front fascia and grille were made flush with the rest of the exterior for a handsome, upscale look. A new top-shelf Pinnacle trim featured truly luxurious quilted-leather upholstery with matching lumbar pillows for the second-row captain's chairs.
Wireless capability for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was added for 2021. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5 was integrated into the dashboard, and desirable safety technology, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, was standardized. A useful camera system called FamCam was also introduced to give parents a glimpse of what was happening with their children in the back.
Choosing between the standard Chrysler Pacifica and the Pacifica Hybrid requires buyers to weigh some pros and cons. If all-wheel drive is a necessity, your only choice is to stick with the standard gasoline engine, and the same goes for the innovative second row that folds flat into the floor. The standard gasoline V6 is rated to tow up to 1,630 kilograms (3,600 pounds), while Chrysler doesn’t recommend towing with the plug-in hybrid.
On the flip side, the PHEV powertrain offers 51 kilometres of electric driving on a full charge of the battery pack, and 8.0 L/100 km combined. The gasoline Pacifica is rated by Natural Resources Canada at 12.4 L/100 km in the city, 8.4 on the highway and 10.6 combined with FWD, or 14.1 city, 9.4 highway and 12.0 combined with AWD.
According to RepairPal.com, the 2017 to 2023 Pacifica is the best minivan in the industry for reliability. CarComplaints.com data points to the 2019 and newer Pacifica, in both standard and Hybrid forms, as the best choice for reliability.
As of 2025, the Chrysler Pacifica carries an MSRP between $55,895 for the base Select trim and $78,895 for the Pinnacle including fees. AWD is optional on the Select and Limited trims and costs $5,000 extra, while it’s standard on the Pinnacle trim. The 2025 Pacifica Hybrid starts at $62,290 and tops out at $75,790 and may qualify for EV rebates in the provinces and territories where they still exist.
A 2018 to 2020 Pacifica with a reasonable odometer reading and a solid service history should cost between $20,000 and $25,000 on the used vehicle market, though lower-mileage top trims are sometimes listed for slightly higher. Pricing for a similar Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna is likely to be at least $5,000 more.
Chrysler Pacifica (crossover) (2004-2008)
It’s not common for an automaker to revive an old name for a completely new car that isn’t even in the same segment of the market. But that’s exactly what Chrysler did with the Pacifica (and what Ford also recently did with the Maverick). From 2004 through 2008, Chrysler sold a somewhat van-like crossover called the Pacifica. At the time, CEO Sergio Marchionne said the Pacifica name had 'good market vibes,' adding that 'people who drove one liked it. We’re just going back and reaccessing that memory'.
When it launched as a 2004 model, the Chrysler Pacifica crossover was offered in a single trim level. It was powered solely by a 3.5-litre V6 engine that sent 250 hp and 25 lb-ft of torque through a four-speed automatic transmission to either the front or, optionally, all four wheels. Throughout the years, a 3.8-litre V6 was sometimes available in lower-end Pacifica crossover models with front-wheel drive. Later, an upgraded 4.0-litre V6 replaced the smaller 3.5-litre version and was paired with an improved six-speed automatic transmission.
By the time the crossover Pacifica was retired, it came in base, Touring, and top-level Limited trims. Cloth upholstery was standard, while leatherette upholstery with leather seating surfaces was standard in upper trim levels. Five-passenger seating was the norm, while seating for six in three rows with second-row captain’s chairs was available.
The final 2007 and 2008 Chrysler Pacifica crossovers were the best of their breed. Very few of these remain on the Canadian used vehicle market today, but the ones that are still around are rarely priced above $5,000.
