This year, Chrysler is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Since Walter P. Chrysler applied his name to a six-cylinder automobile and, later, to the Maxwell Motor Company, the brand stood for fine automobiles that were attainable without pretension. It has a legacy that is built on great engineering and design.
A century later, Chrysler is on the brink of reinventing itself. Before it does, there is one vehicle type they must continue to sell to families looking for something better to transport themselves, Chrysler Pacifica.
The minivan.
The 2025 Chrysler Pacifica continues to be the benchmark for all minivans building on a 40-plus year track record. Our recent turn in the Pinnacle AWD version reminds us that the brand offers something relevant for growing families.
It starts with a distinctive exterior. Up front is a large is a large grille and LED headlamp units. The glass profile remains with its front quarter glass for better front corner vision, and a reverse slant for the C-pillar side glass. A horizontal set of taillights adorn the rear liftgate area.
Our Pinnacle tester came 20-inch polished alloy wheels and some chrome trim all around. All of which add to the top-of-the-line status the 2025 Pacifica Pinnacle represents.
Inside is a familiar cabin that is unique while highly practical. The instrument panel offers excellent and concentrated controls. The transmission is controlled by a knob, while the electronic parking brake is a push button, all on the center stack. Capping the center stack is the 10.1-inch UConnect 5 touchscreen, offering access to UConnect Apps and a multitude of audio playback and connectivity options. Instrumentation includes a customizable information screen in-between the speedometer and tachometer.
Our tester came with a luxurious seven-seat configuration, with second-row captain’s chairs. All of it swathed in quitted and piped leather. Front row occupants are treated to comfortable and supportive bucket seats. All three rows offer adult-size accommodation, with a quick release of each second-row seat and two power sliding doors for ease of entry and exit. Our tester added second-row video monitors for the UConnect Theater system.
The third-row bench folded into the floor through the Stow’n Go system. It provided a flat floor all the through the back of the first-row seats. The second-row captain’s chairs also folded into the floor, which also serve as addition storage when the seats are up. In all, it can carry up to 140.5 cubic feet of space with a completely flat floor.
Powering our tester is the 287-horsepower Pentastar 3.6-liter V6. The venerable engine is pretty responsive and quiet. This engine is connected to a nine-speed automatic, along with the new all-wheel-drive system.
We found the Chrysler Pacifica good to drive around town. There is a lag upon initial acceleration, which is made up when it gets up to cruising speed, even in winter situations. However, we also saw an average of 20.2 MPG in our care.
Our tester delivered with superior ride quality with absorbent suspension all around to ensure that it drives along without any negative feedback from the vehicle. Although handling is quite decent, some roll and lean is evident, we found that cornering was near flat below the limit.
The turning radius is very sharp, as it made quick work of tight maneuvers. Steering action felt a bit soft on-center with great response from its thick-rimmed wheel. Brakes are good with a solid feel at the pedal. Our Pacifica yielded solid stops in normal and panic situations.
The Chrysler Pacifica lineup comprises of seven trim levels, including four plug-in hybrid models. Pricing starts from $42,450. Our Pinnacle AWD tester came with a sticker price of $59,720. The Chrysler minivan lineup is also available in the value-oriented Voyager LX model, starting at $39,995.
There are only a few competitors among minivans these days. The Pacifica and Voyager currently competes with the Toyota Sienna, the Honda Odyssey, the Kia Carnival, and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. For family space, others have compared the Pacifica with large, long-wheelbase SUVs, such as the Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, Ford Expedition MAX, and Jeep Wagoneer L.
We can certainly say that the minivan is far from irrelevant. Especially as transportation for growing families. Also, there is a future for the Chrysler brand. Therefore, the Chrysler Pacifica represents the present. It is a present most families would highly appreciate.
