Chrysler Pacifica

Last year Chrysler made a variety of updates to its Pacifica minivan, including updated styling and new technology and standard driver aids. For 2022, Pacifica models with the rear-seat entertainment system add compatibility with Amazon Fire TV for Auto. The system allows second-row passengers to enjoy content, whether via streaming or downloaded in advance. The front occupants can also stream movies and shows while the vehicle is in park.

In general, we find the Pacifica to be a comfortable and well-appointed family hauler. Rivals include the Honda Odyssey, which is a perennial favorite thanks to a cleverly designed interior and pleasing performance. There's also the Toyota Sienna, which is exclusively a hybrid, and the new Kia Carnival minivan. Check out our test team's Expert Rating to learn more about where the Pacifica shines and where it could stand more improvement.

What's it like to live with?

MatoCar purchased a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica not long after it debuted. We racked up more than 20,000 miles during our test and enjoyed the van so much that it has served as a workhorse for MatoCar' video team for the past few years. To learn more about maintenance, fuel economy, tech and even repairs, check out MatoCar' long-term review of the Pacifica. Note that while the 2022 Pacifica is the beneficiary of some recent updates, the 2017 van is of the same generation and many of our observations still apply.

Which Pacifica does MatoCar recommend?

The Pacifica Touring L is the best way to go. It offers a good mix of standard features for the money. Even better, last year's Safety Sphere Group package that includes a handful of driver aids is now standard on the Touring L.

For 2022, the Chrysler Pacifica is available in four trim levels: Touring, Touring L, Limited and Pinnacle. All four use a 3.6-liter V6 (287 horsepower, 262 lb-ft) engine paired with a nine-speed transmission. A plug-in hybrid version is also available but reviewed separately. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on all trims. Feature highlights include:

Touring Starts you off with:

LED exterior lighting
Power liftgate
Power-sliding side doors
Heated outside mirrors
Foldaway second-row seating (Stow 'n Go)
Three-zone climate control
Second-row window sunshades
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (with wireless connection capabilities)
Proximity entry with push-button start and remote ignition
Power-adjustable driver's seat
10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen
Six-speaker audio system

All Pacificas also come with these standard safety features:

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Pacifica and the car in front)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Pacifica back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

Touring L Adds a few more convenience features and driver aids, such as:

Second- and third-row window shades
Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Driver's seat memory settings
Leather upholstery
Second-row USB charge ports
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Pacifica and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Parking sensors with automatic braking (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking and can automatically brake to avoid hitting an obstacle)

Limited Includes many helpful features:

Upgraded 13-speaker audio system
Auto-dimming driver's side mirror
Power-folding mirrors
Power-adjustable front passenger seat
Navigation system
Hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate
Power-folding third-row seat (regular Pacifica only)
Integrated vacuum cleaner (regular Pacifica only)
Panoramic sunroof
Third-row USB charge ports
Upgraded leather seating surfaces
Ventilated front seats
Wireless charging pad

Pinnacle Tops the range with:

20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
Rear-seat entertainment system
Interior camera system (allows the driver or front passenger to monitor rear occupants)
Simulated suede headliner

Many of the standard features on the upper trims can be added to the lower trims via optional packages.