The shape of the Pacifica is almost a decade old, but its clean contours have helped it age well.Stellantis/Courtesy of manufacturer
If all car buyers were rational left-brain thinkers, the auto industry would build only a handful of vehicle types. For active, multi-child families, the default option would be the minivan.
However, this practical family hauler has become uncool over the years, replaced by the SUV.
Now it seems the minivan may be making a comeback. Automotive News Canada (ANC) data shows that last year minivan sales in Canada rose 34 per cent (albeit off a low base) in an overall market up only 2.3 per cent. And the light-truck segment down the most, according to ANC, was the midsize mainstream crossover.
There’s little evidence those added minivan buyers actually came directly from intermediate SUVs, says Robert Karwel, a director at J.D. Power Canada. That said, “desirability of vans might be turning around a bit as they generally are now feature laden and can be had in all-wheel drive and hybrid variants, so offer much that midsize SUVs offer.”
Despite its age (launched in model-year 2017), the Chrysler Pacifica led the sales charge in 2025, almost doubling its sales while its near-identical twin, the blue-collar Grand Caravan, grew 30 per cent.
The front seats are every-which-way adjustable, and heated/cooled on the Limited, but don’t go as high as we’d like, and their Nappa leather facings look plasticky.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
Hide-in-the-floor seats in the middle and third rows, plus a 60/40 split for the latter, provide multiple mix ‘n match options for passengers and cargo.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
For “elbows-up” Canadians, the Chryslers’ renaissance is something of a conundrum: on the one hand, Chrysler is an American brand; on the other, the vehicles are built in Canada. Consider, too, that Chrysler is now part of the Stellantis N.V. conglomerate based in Europe.
Certainly, Pacifica’s sales surge wasn’t based on price. The “premium” Chrysler van starts priciest among its breed ($57,195), though the Grand Caravan ($49,995) comes in below the Toyota Sienna ($52,491) and Honda Odyssey ($54,566). The segment’s bargain is the Kia Carnival, at $45,340 base or $49,435 for the Hybrid.
A hybrid powertrain is standard on the Sienna, with all-wheel drive optional; AWD is also available on Pacifica, but not the plug-in hybrid option that was once what differentiated it in the segment. The PHEV was canned because of shifting consumer demand, Chrysler says. What was the PHEV take rate? A spokesperson would only say it was less than half of Pacifica sales.
That leaves three trim levels still on the menu, Select, Limited and Pinnacle. AWD is standard on Pinnacle, optional on the others. Our Limited AWD tester (base manufacturer’s suggested retail price $68,400) cost $75,038 as tested with options, freight and fees.
While that seems a lot of money for a minivan, let’s remember that a Grand Caravan starts at less than $50,000; and the only roomier alternatives are stretch versions of full-size SUVs. Have you checked the starting price of a Chevrolet Suburban?
The optional Interior Protection Package is a mixed blessing; it provides removable storage tubs within the Stow n’ Go compartments, but where to put them when you actually want to hide the seats therein?Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
Space is one thing, usability and versatility is another. The step-in height of a Pacifica is at least 23 centimetres lower than that of a Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Most minivans also have more maximum cargo space than the biggest SUVs, though in most vans that needs second-row seats to be removed.
Not so for the Chrysler with its unique Stow ’n Go feature that folds the middle seats out of sight below the floor. It’s a compelling selling feature that expands the practicality of a van that also provides a pleasant, even somewhat premium, driving and riding experience. We do miss the PHEV option, but Pacifica’s fuel economy is comparable with other non-hybrid minivans. And while Asian rivals have higher reliability ratings, the built-in-Canada Pacifica AWD is still a roomy, sensible alternative to a midsize SUV.
Looks
The shape is almost a decade old, but its clean contours have helped it age well, while the reverse-slant rear pillar design remains distinctive.
Interior
Overall passenger volumes are competitive, but one downside of Stow ’n Go is that second-row seating is mostly limited to two (rather small) bucket seats; a three-person middle bench is optional ($995) but only on the Select front-wheel drive trim. The Pinnacle trim has captain’s chairs but at the expense of Stow ’n Go.
All trims offer the Family Theatre package with dual 10.1-inch screens and multiple connectivity options for second-row passengers.
Up front, even the base Grand Caravan pampers the driver with a 12-way-adjustable power seat and heated steering wheel. Visibility is so-so and we expected more of a tall-in-the-saddle seating position.
A rotary-knob drive selector shares space at centre-dash with accessible and glove-friendly hard switches for basic audio and most climate control functions. Seat heating/cooling, however, is controlled using the 10.1-inch screen for UConnect5, the latest version of Chrysler’s highly regarded infotainment system. A bi-level centre console features side-by-side cupholders, but only limited hidden storage.
There’s no large hidden storage on the centre console, but side-by-side cupholders are always a nice touch when there’s more than one beverage imbiber up front.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
It’s not the biggest screen, but between that and a cluster of user-friendly hard switches, the Pacifica offers sound ergonomics.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
Performance
The proven 3.6-litre V6 performs with a cultured sound that wouldn’t embarrass a luxury sedan and the chassis delivers a decent blend of confident handling and a mostly cushioned ride (you do feel disturbances such as bridge expansion joints more).
And while its maximum-effort performance is languid (zero to 100 kilometres an hour in 8.8 seconds), punchy throttle response and the responsive nine-speed transmission make it feel effortless in real-world driving. Remember, too, that on traction-challenged surfaces, AWD would advantage the Pacifica over “quicker” front-drive rivals. The AWD does exact a penalty in fuel consumption – officially 12 litres per 100 kilometres combined versus 10.6 for the FWD model. The 12.3 we recorded might have been better if the transmission was more willing to use its highest gears; even cruising at 120 km/h on the highway it seemed to be in seventh gear, not ninth.
Technology
Most of today’s expected advanced driver-assist systems are standard, though neither automatic parking nor any level of hands-free self-driving is on the menu. Infotainment assets, besides the aforementioned Family Theatre package, also include 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot and wireless phone connectivity.
Cargo
Beyond Stow ’n Go, the Pacifica’s official cargo volumes are competitive with other minivans, likewise its 3,600-pound tow rating. A secret bonus feature is the additional underfloor storage in the Stow ’n Go wells when they’re not otherwise occupied.
Tech specs
2026 Chrysler Pacifica Limited AWD
- Base price/as tested: $68,400/$74,920, plus $2,195 for freight, plus fees and taxes
- Engine: 3.6-litre V6
- Horsepower/torque (lb-ft): 287/262
- Transmission/drive: Nine-speed automatic/all-wheel drive
- Fuel consumption (litres per 100 kilometres): 14.1 city / 9.4 highway
- Alternatives: Chrysler Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, Toyota Sienna
The main gauges aren’t a paragon of readability, but there’s also a digital speed readout and most important information is there without having to hunt through menus.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
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