2023 Chrysler Pacifica Review

If you're on the hunt for a new minivan, few available choices make it easier to pick one. The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica is one of only four minivans available, and there are several reasons you might decide it is perfect for you.

First, the Pacifica offers an available all-wheel-drive system for improved traction in northern climates. Second, a class-exclusive plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version is available, supplying about 32 miles of electric driving range before a gas-fueled V6 fires up to give you 30 mpg in combined driving. Third, though they're unavailable on the Pacifica Hybrid, the Stow 'n Go seats make it easy to convert this minivan from a seven-passenger shuttle into a load hauler with up to 140.5 cubic feet of cargo space in a matter of minutes. Fourth, the Pacifica offers plenty of technology, from cloud-connected infotainment and an Amazon Fire TV rear-seat entertainment system to popular driver assist and collision avoidance systems.

After a thorough refresh for the 2021 model year and several more updates for 2022, the 2023 Pacifica doesn't receive any major modifications (changes are mostly made to equipment shuffling and the new Road Tripper appearance package). And with Chrysler's plan to switch to electrified vehicles, starting soon with a production version of the automaker's Airflow concept vehicle, the next-generation Pacifica is likely to arrive in the middle of this decade with an electric powertrain, ready to take on the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Let's hope Chrysler doesn't try to go retro with it, though, and leaves the fake wood siding and Town & Country nameplate in the dustbin of history.

In the meantime, if you need a new minivan now and not in a few years, be sure to consult our Expert Rating to see what we think of the current-generation Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid models. And if this Chrysler isn't the right choice for you, alternatives include our perennial favorite, the Honda Odyssey, the stylish Kia Carnival and the efficient hybrid-only Toyota Sienna, which also offers available AWD.

What's it like to live with?

When Chrysler introduced the Pacifica for the 2017 model year, Edmunds bought one to add to our long-term testing fleet. Not only did we put more than 20,000 miles on our Pacifica during the test, but we kept it around to serve our video crew. Are the observations about our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica long-term test vehicle still valid? Yes, because while the Pacifica did get several midlife updates for the 2021 model year, it is largely the same as our long-term test vehicle. Therefore, many of our observations apply to the current model.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica is available in four trim levels: Touring, Touring L, Limited and Pinnacle. A 3.6-liter V6 (287 horsepower, 262 lb-ft) engine is standard on the Pacifica, and it powers the minivan's front wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional on all trims except the Touring.