2022 Chrysler Pacifica

The world of the minivan is an enchanting and wondrous place, filled with the hopes and dreams of junior soccer stars, and quiz-night A-teams. The Chrysler Pacifica has managed to capture the hearts, minds, and stomachs of the American minivan market for well over a decade thanks to its smartly packaged interior, strong performing engines, gentle ride, and excellent safety standards, and for 2022 the recipe is tweaked. With 287 horsepower, a low seven-second zero to sixty sprint time, and a 22 mpg combined fuel consumption figure, the Pacifica is a strong performer in the suburbs and on the highway, and it will keep you safe too, with its standard blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assistance. Inside, the Pacifica offers a premium experience, which becomes truly luxurious when you step into the more expensive models. Starting at $35,820, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica goes up against the Honda Odyssey and brand-new Toyota Sienna for the title of the best minivan in America.

The 2022 Pacifica looks good from any angle, starting with the sharp and dynamic front fascia, which houses aggressive-looking lower air dams and a gaping lower air intake. The Pacifica makes competitors like the Honda Odyssey look like the official transport of retirement villages worldwide. Its sleek side profile runs into a rear end that might not be that exciting, but one which wraps up the whole package nicely. Standard features on the base model include 17-inch alloy wheels, a power liftgate, power sliding doors, as well as bi-function projector LED headlights, active grille shutters, and body-colored side mirrors. Higher up in the range, numerous appearance changes, including bright door handles, chrome roof racks, a premium rear fascia, and a tri-pane panoramic sunroof become available. Wheels go up to 20 inches in diameter on the Pinnacle. Compared to the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, the Pacifica is the better-looking car, in our opinion.

Chrysler's luxury minivan measures 204.3 inches in total length, making it shorter than the Honda Odyssey but longer than the Toyota Sienna. The Pacifica sits 79.6 inches wide and 69.9 inches tall and rolls on a long 121.6-inch wheelbase. The AWD versions are taller by 0.8 inches. The non-AWD Pacifica has a curb weight of 4,521 pounds, while the Odyssey comes in at 4,398 lbs and the hybrid-only Sienna at 4,610 lbs. The AWD models are a fair bit heavier at 4,883 lbs. Ground clearance is a relatively low 5.1 inches (5.4 on the AWDs), and you get 14.0/12.5/18.7-degree approach/breakover/departure angles (14.0/13.0/19.0 for the AWDs).

The swooping lines of the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica look good in almost any color, but potential buyers seeing one for the first time will realize just how vast the body panels on the Pacifica really are, and how important it is to choose a color that won't make it look bloated. Chrysler offers seven colors for 2022, all of which are no-cost options. Light hues include Bright White and a new color, Silver Mist Clear Coat. The darker shades are Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Granite Crystal Metallic, Ceramic Gray, Fathom Blue Pearl, and Velvet Red Pearl. We'd stay away from the Bright White, as it tends to accentuate the Pacifica's size, making it look bulky and less attractive in general. Gone from the palette this year are Billet Silver, Luxury White, Maximum Steel, and Ocean Blue.

The minivan market has come a long way in terms of comfort, luxury, and performance, and while the Pacifica isn't the fastest minivan out there, it offers more than enough for the daily runabout, highway cruise, or city slog. All models come standard with a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine that does an impressive job of hauling the 4,500-pound Pacifica around. Put your foot to the floor, and you'll reach sixty in the low seven-second range, which might not sound that impressive in an age where turbocharged SUVs can get there in the sub-four-second range, but it's still about as quick as a 1986 BMW M3. Of course, the significantly heavier AWD version will require a few extra revs from the V6 when pressing on, but in cold-weather climates, the addition of the extra driven axle will be hugely beneficial. Mid- to high-rpm acceleration is good, and there's a broad range of torque on offer, which makes overtaking on the freeway a stress-free task. The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica can trailer up to 3,600 pounds, which will come in handy when your Nickelback cover band needs some extra space for guitar cases and merch.

There's nothing complicated about the Pacifica's drivetrain; you get an old-school 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine in the front, which is connected to a nine-speed automatic sending power to the front wheels on the Touring and Touring L and to all wheels on the Limited and Pinnacle. The V6 unit, which features multi-point fuel injection and 24 valves, produces 287 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque at a typically high 4,000 rpm. What this means is that the Pacifica performs best in the mid to high rpm range, where it pulls strongly and cleanly all the way past 6,000 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission used in the Pacifica isn't one of our favorite units; it can stutter and be left confused at lower speeds, but once you get going, it smooths out the shifts and offers a relaxing driving experience. The combination of engine and gearbox should prove to be ample for most.

Most buying the Pacifica, or any similar type of car would only care whether it can go forward, backward, left, and right. We're happy to announce that the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica can do all of these things. Seriously though, the Pacifica's independent MacPherson struts in the front and twist-blade coil-spring setup in the rear deliver a smooth ride with the normal-duty suspension, but the more compliant touring suspension soaks up bumps and road imperfections as well as cars many times its price. The Pacifica will hold its own through the twisty stuff, displaying minimal body roll for a minivan, but pushing too hard will see this people transporter understeer to the outside of the corner. Steering is light, perfect for the daily commute, but the nose can be pointed with reasonable accuracy. For what the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica was designed to do - to transport large amounts of people and their stuff - the Pacifica is an overachiever; it drives beautifully and feels more like a large sedan than an old-school minivan. On slippery or snowy surfaces, the AWD versions' added traction makes them the top choices in the range. AWD engages automatically when needed without the driver needing to do anything, and up to 100 percent engine torque can be sent to the rear wheels.

The circa 4,500-pound-plus Pacifica, loaded with luxury features and rolling on large alloy wheels, was never expected to impress when it comes to gas mileage figures, but once again, it delights with a number more closely attributed to midsize sedans than full-size luxury minivans. Chrysler gives an EPA estimated figure of 19/28/22 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD versions, with economy figures for the AWD models being a rather thirsty 17/25/20. The FWD-only Honda Odyssey matches the FWD Pacifica's numbers, while the new all-hybrid Toyota Sienna range manages far better figures: 36/36/36 MPG for the FWD and 35/36/35 for the AWD. The Pacifica is fitted with a 19-gallon fuel tank, which gives it an estimated maximum range of 437, perfect for those summer holiday road trips.

The Pacifica is one of the trendsetters in minivan design and layout, and sports a fit and finish that is above the class average. That's saying something when you consider all the Japanese competition. The interior has a definite feel of functionality over form and doesn't pretend to mimic the design of a traditional sedan; instead, it offers a raised and angled central dash that houses all the important switches, buttons, and dials, making it easier for both driver and front passenger to interact with. Standard interior features include three-zone automatic climate control with rear air conditioning and heating, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, as well as handy little features such as illuminated vanity mirrors, a locking glove box, and a hard-wearing urethane steering wheel that falls comfortably to hand. Models higher up in the range get premium touches such as unique interior accents, a tri-pane panoramic sunroof, rear window shades, and floor mats.

According to Chrysler, the Pacifica's seating and storage layout can be set up in 243 different ways, which means there's a perfect setup for any occasion. This feature on its own makes the Pacifica a pleasure to live with when you're dealing with unpredictable loads, so basically life, then. The standard seven-seat configuration can be upped to eight, which adds an armrest, cup holder, and an easily removable second-row center seat. Front and second-row passengers get loads of interior space, but things get a bit cramped in the third row. Front seat passengers get 41.1 inches of legroom space and 40.1 inches of headroom, which is more than enough space for larger adults. Second-row passengers are afforded 39 inches of legroom and 39.6 inches of headroom, which is also more than enough to comfortably seat large adults. Third-row passengers aren't so lucky; legroom is only 36.5 inches, while headroom comes in at a respectable 38.7 inches, good enough for average-sized adults.

The premium cloth bucket seats in the base model are available in two no-cost colors, namely Black and Alloy, and a premium cloth bucket seat with S logo is also available as part of the S Appearance Package. The Touring L model comes standard with perforated McKinley leather bucket seats available in Black or Cognac. The Limited AWD comes standard with Nappa leather and the available interior color schemes are Black/Alloy/Black, and Black/Alloy, with last year's Deep Mocha / Black / Deep Mocha no longer listed. The Pinnacle gets quilted Nappa leather in Caramel. The majority of interior materials have a quality feel, but some cheap plastics are noticeable. Another small issue we picked up was the fact that the Pacifica's seats, especially in the second and third rows, did not offer enough padding due to the Stow 'n Go seating configuration. This makes the rear seats slightly less comfortable than its competitors, but not enough to make you want to replace them with La-Z-Boys.

Trunk and overall cargo space in the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica is competitive with other minivans in its class. Cargo space behind the third row is 32.3 cubic feet, which should be enough space for most day-to-day activities such as going on a serious shopping run for a medium-sized family, or loading school and sports bags for a bunch of kids. The Toyota Sienna offers 33.5 cubic feet, only slightly more than the Pacifica. Behind the second row, you get 87.5 cubic feet, which is again perfectly average for this class and offers loads of space for anything from mountain bikes to a mini bean bag lounge and more than the Toyota's 75.2 cu-ft. Finally, with all rear seats in the downward position, the Chrysler Pacifica will offer 140.5 cubic feet of space, slightly less than the 158 cubic feet offered in the Honda Odyssey but a lot more than the Sienna's 101 cu-ft. That's still enough space to fit a junior quad bike or enough dogs to pull a snow sled competitively.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica isn't just a basic transporter; it's a family transporter that has to be able to cater to everyone, from dad sitting behind the wheel to the kids fidgeting in the back. Thankfully, the Pacifica won't leave you wanting for more, as this luxury minivan can be configured to look like the backstage room at a Post Malone concert. Standard features on the base model include second and third-row Stow 'n Go easy-fold seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, three-zone air conditioning with auto temperature control and rear air conditioning, including heating. The rearview mirror is of the auto-dimming variety, the liftgate and sliding door are power operated, and the entire cabin is jam-packed with storage bins and nooks. This year, it additionally gains the Cold Weather Group as standard, which includes heated front seats and a heated and leather-trimmed steering wheel.

The Touring L gains leather upholstery and, from this year, the Safety Sphere Group with a bunch of driver-assistance features and a surround-view camera. The Limited gets a tri-pane panoramic power sunroof, Nappa upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a hands-free function for both the sliding doors and the liftgate, a Stow 'n Vac integrated vacuum cleaner and, from this year, the Premium and Safety Sphere Group that adds various driver-assistance features and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Finally, the Pinnacle gets quilted Nappa-leather upholstery, the FamCam cabin camera, the Uconnect Theater entertainment system, an integrated Ultra center console with a wireless phone charger and, from this year, also the Trailer Tow Group as standard, which includes a hitch and trailer-sway damping.

One of the most effective weapons in the fight against road trip boredom is the infotainment system. This is especially true for minivans that are designed to carry a whole bunch of people, usually of the infant variety. The good news here is that Chrysler's new Uconnect 5 infotainment system is one of the best in the business, and makes interacting with the Pacifica's system a delight. Gone are the unreliable touch-sensitive controls, and in their place are old-school switches and dials. The 10.1-inch touchscreen display is standard on all models and harbors an integrated voice-command system with Bluetooth streaming, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Aux and USB ports, as well as a one-year All Access subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio. Sound is channeled through a standard six-speaker system, which sounds OK in the front, but steadily loses its punchiness as you move backward through the cabin. The Limited benefits from an upgraded system that includes navigation and 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, a trial subscription to SiriusXM Guardian Connected Services, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Pinnacle additionally gets as standard the Uconnect Theater system with seatback video screens for back seat passengers with wireless headphones, HDMI ports, and a Blu-Ray/DVD player.

Things get even better if you opt for the Uconnect Family Theater Group rear-seat entertainment system, which can be added to the three bottom trims and is standard on the Pinnacle. This year, the system gains Amazon Fire TV. What it does is to allow passengers to watch downloaded programs, stream videos, listen to music, and play games on the road. Fire TV is connected via a mobile device hotspot or the in-vehicle 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. It comes with 16 GB of storage for each of the two rear displays, allowing passengers to watch downloaded content even where there is no internet connectivity. Content can be watched separately or the displays can be mirrored. The system can be controlled from the front seat to keep an eye on the content being consumed or the apps being used and to stop or pause an activity. Content also displays on the front infotainment screen when the vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in Park. The system also connects to the Uconnect 5 infotainment system to give rear-seat passengers access to ETA travel data and climate settings, for example. Two voice remotes with Amazon Alexa are included.

The ever-popular Chrysler Pacifica was only recalled once in 2020 for a blank backup camera display and things have been looking good for 2021 and 2022, with no recalls so far. The 2022 Pacifica achieved an average score of only 68 out of 100 on the J.D. Power survey and a low 63/100 for quality and reliability. Chrysler backs their luxury minivan with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, which includes a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty - and roadside assistance for the same period - as well as a five-year/unlimited-mile corrosion warranty.

Modern car buyers demand superior safety standards from their vehicles, especially those designed to transport large amounts of people. The Pacifica was explicitly designed for this reason, which is why Chrysler went all out when it formulated how to keep this giant tuna can on wheels safe from shredding limbs in the event of a serious accident, and their hard work paid off; in 2019, Chrysler Pacifica was awarded a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and has scored the agency's top 'Good' rating in all six crash-test criteria every year since. It also scored a perfect five out of five stars overall from the NHTSA. The 2022 Pacifica comes packed with modern active driver assistance tech in combination with traditional systems to provide excellent safety for driver and passengers.

In the ultra-competitive minivan class, the difference between a so-so rating and an award-winning safety performance can mean the gain or loss of thousands of sales, so it's good then that Chrysler didn't cut any corners when it came to the design of the Pacifica's safety systems. The full suite of SafetyTec driver-assistance systems is standard on all models. These features include full-speed forward-collision warning (includes active braking and automatic pedestrian braking), lane-departure warning (includes lane-keep assist), blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control (includes stop and go), LED daytime running lights, stability control, hill-start assist, and ParkSense rear-parking assist with auto stop and a ParkView reverse camera. The Pacifica has a total of eight airbags to keep those inside the car safe: front, front-side, two front-knee, and three-row curtain. It has a standard Sentry Key safety system, remote keyless entry and remote proximity for all doors to make sure occupants are kept secure, and the bad guys are kept out. The Safety Sphere Group that is not available on the Touring is a standard feature on the Touring L and Limited from this year and no longer optional. It adds front parking sensors, Park Assist with automatic stop, parallel/perpendicular park assistance, and a surround-view camera.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out why the Chrysler Pacifica has become one of America's favorite minivans. Attractive exterior styling that doesn't break the mold, but stands out from the more dull-looking competitors, combined with solid performance and a well-designed and -built interior results in an overall package that's terribly hard to ignore when you're shopping in this class. The naturally aspirated V6 engine and automatic gearbox offer enough performance to make city driving and highway hauling a relaxed experience, all while returning very respectable gas mileage. The ride and handling are just as impressive; the Pacifica feels like a floating cloud at low-speed driving but manages more aggressive driving and quick direction changes better than most. AWD improves security in slippery conditions and finally gives the Pacifica the upper hand against the Toyota Sienna, which has long been the only minivan to offer AWD. Inside, the cabin quality and layout are class-leading, and the multitude of different seating layouts adds to its overall practicality as a people and cargo mover. The Pacifica is also great at keeping its passengers safe. A competitive starting price, substantially improved equipment levels for 2022, and a decent warranty seal the deal; the Pacifica is one hell of a minivan.

One of the most appealing factors about the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica is its affordable purchase price, especially in base form. The Touring model starts off with an MSRP of only $35,820, which is not a lot of money for such a large amount of car. Progressing through the range, the Touring L will cost $39,120, rising to $48,815 for the Limited AWD. The Pinnacle AWD carries a price of $54,095. These prices exclude a destination fee of $1,495. The Honda Odyssey in base trim starts at $32,290, going all the way up to $48,020 for the Elite model, while the all-hybrid Toyota's Sienna starts at $34,560, rising to $50,760 for the Platinum AWD model.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica lineup is made up of four trims: Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle. All models share the same 287-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The two bottom trims are front-wheel drive by default and all-wheel drive is optional, while the two top trims are AWD only.

On the outside, the base Touring has 17-inch alloy wheels, a power liftgate, power sliding doors, and all-LED lights, front and rear. Inside, standard equipment includes a seven-seater layout (eight seats are optional), cloth upholstery, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, heating for the front seats and steering wheel, an N95 cabin-air filter, Stow 'n Go foldaway rear seats, remote start, and three-zone climate control. The infotainment system runs the Uconnect 5 software and has a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. Safety kit includes eight airbags, a backup camera, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear seat and door reminder system.

The Touring L trim adds to this McKinley leather upholstery, a Super Console with illuminated cupholders, front parking sensors, park assistance with automatic stop, parallel/perpendicular park assist, and a surround-view camera.

Limited means that AWD is standard, as well as a tri-pane panoramic power sunroof, premium Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a premium center console, hands-free operation for the sliding doors and liftgate, and an integrated vacuum cleaner. The infotainment system gains wireless device charging and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The flagship Pinnacle trim gets quilted Nappa upholstery, the Trailer Tow Group, a FamCam cabin camera, and the Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system with games and apps functionality.

The Chrysler Pacifica is offered with a range of optional packages that helps to make each individual car suit the needs of its owner as closely as possible. The base model, for instance, can be geared with eight seats for an extra $595, or if you're more interested in looking good, the $895 S Appearance Package will add 18-inch Foreshadow alloy wheels, a black grille and window surrounds, and a slew of custom badging. The $2,395 Uconnect Theater Family Group adds the Pinnacle's entire family-entertainment system. This year, it includes Amazon Fire TV. If the need ever arises to tow something, the Trailer-Tow Group will add a tow hitch, trailer-sway damping, and more on all models for $995. The Cold Weather Group is no longer an option, but standard on all trims this year; it adds a heated, leather-trimmed steering wheel and heated front seats. From this year, the Touring L is also equipped as standard with the Safety Sphere Group that adds a host of items such as 360-view cameras, ParkSense, park assist with stop, and parallel/perpendicular park assistance. The Limited AWD gets the Premium and Safety Sphere Group as standard from this year and has access to the $395 S appearance packages. The top-of-the-line Pinnacle AWD is already so fully specced that no packages can be added. Even the Trailer-Tow Group that was optional last year is standard this year.

The range of four models gives potential buyers the freedom to pick a car that perfectly suits their wants and needs, and the range of options and configurations is so big that it will boil down to each specific buyer's requirements. The base model with no added options is perfect for an upscale airport transporter and will do equally well as a premium kiddie conveyance. If you're looking for a more serious family minivan for an older household, the Limited AWD could be a good choice. It gets upmarket features such as Nappa leather seats with a heated and ventilated front row, heated second row, a 19-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, and hands-free sliding doors. It's probably the best model in the range because it replaces the Touring trims' slightly weedy audio system and adds the panoramic sunroof as well. However, if audio quality is not your first priority and you don't need the AWD, the Touring L becomes the sweet spot, especially because it comes standard with leather trim, a safety and driver-assistance suite that contains even more standard tech this year, and the fully-featured Uconnect 5 infotainment system, at a substantial cost saving of nearly $10,000 over the Limited.

The Honda Odyssey has been a staple of the American minivan market since the mid-nineties, and still enjoys a strong fanbase. For 2022, the fifth-generation Odyssey, introduced in 2018, gets its power in the form of a 280 hp, 262 lb-ft 3.5-liter V6, which sends its power to the front wheels via a more modern ten-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is measured at 19/28/22 mpg, matching the Pacifica. The exterior styling of the Odyssey is arguably less attractive than that of the Pacifica. The interior of the Odyssey offers similar amounts of space. Still, you get slightly more trunk space, and the overall interior design is modern and well put together. A Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS puts it on equal footing with the Pacifica, and a starting price of only $32,290 makes this minivan an attractive option.

The fourth-generation Toyota Sienna is brand-new and the all-hybrid range no longer offers V6 power. Its 2.5-liter inline-four and hybrid assistance produce less power and worse performance, but fuel economy is in a different league and far and away the best in class. However, the Sienna cannot touch the Pacifica's Stow 'n Go seats and its second row cannot be removed either. The new Sienna might have run the 2021 Pacifica close, but the 2022 model has been improved so much that it still fends off the Japanese challenger, especially because AWD is available across the board. On top of it all, you don't have to go Sienna if you want a hybrid. The Pacifica also offers a great one. We review the Pacifica Hybrid separately.