2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Review, Ultimate Kid-Friendly Road Trip Car

Here are my thoughts on the 7 seat 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited after testing it for a week, around Casper Wyoming.

America’s first-ever hybrid minivan gives us the option of three trim levels; Touring Plus, Touring L and top of the line Limited. I tested the Limited trim level.

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Review in Casper, WY

I’ll be covering the following topics on the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid; Safety, Performance, Appearance, Comfort, Convenience, Space, Economy, and Technology.

Safety

Although there are no reports specifically on the hybrid model of the Pacifica, reports from the NHTSA show the non-hybrid versions with a 5-star overall safety rating.

Standard safety features on the Pacifica include; Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Park Sense rear park assist, rear backup camera, and vehicle tracking is optional across all trims.

An Advanced SafetyTec Group is available as a package option on Limited trim levels, which has all the latest safety technology. Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Lane Departure Warning-Plus, Surround View Camera, Park Sense Front and Rear Assist with stop, Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, rain-sensing windshield wipers, Blind Spot Monitoring, Brake Assist, and auto high beam headlamp control are all in the package.

Adaptive Cruise Control makes life easy on the highway.

Adaptive Cruise Control on the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is very responsive, and it really takes some of the stress away with highway driving.

Just one of the reasons this car is the ultimate kid-friendly road trip car.

Setting the ACC on the Pacifica is easy, with steering wheel mounted buttons, set the cruise speed and distance gap, the car pretty much does the rest. It will automatically slow down if there’s a slower moving vehicle in front.

Upon changing lanes to pass a slower moving car, the ACC system will speed back up to cruising speed. Should the vehicle in front come to a complete stop, so will the Pacifica.

LaneSense with Lane Departure Warning-Plus

I’ve driven quite a few cars already with various stages of a lane keep or lane detection systems, but none like the Pacifica. The level of steering input from the Pacifica is the most I have experienced.

LaneSense with Lane Departure Warning-Plus detects clearly visible lane markings and will actively steer the vehicle back into the lane when the system is active.

It also knows if your hands aren’t on the steering wheel and will prompt a message on the driver display.

Through the touchscreen, the system is customizable, with the ability to change the sensitivity and how early or late you want the warnings/intervention from the car.

Performance

As far as performance and handling go, the Chrysler Pacifica was pleasant to drive with plenty of get-up-and-go. Being a plug-in hybrid electric, it has plenty of torque from the battery on initial start and benefits from a mid-range kick from the 3.6L V-6. Merging onto an 80mph highway is a breeze.

Suspension is on the medium to hard side by mini van standards and this makes for a well handling comfortable ride.

One of our errands in the car meant stocking up on a few 5 gal. water jugs (we live in the country with hard water). I didn’t notice any obvious change in handling or to the suspension.

Appearance

I had the S Appearance Package on the test vehicle, which is a $795 option. Adding some black badging, color matching door handles and mirrors give the Pacifica a more sporty and sleek looking exterior. Also in the package are 18″ black wheels and a roof rack.

Comfort

Another reason the Chrysler Pacifica is the ultimate kid-friendly road trip vehicle, I can’t fault the car when it comes to comfort. Fitting my diametrically opposing size family of myself at 5’3″, husband at 6’4″ and the kids is easy in the Pacifica.

Power adjustable driver and passenger seats mean options are plentiful. Driver seating positions are ideal without being too close to the steering wheel (for a short person) and vice versa for a tall person.

The lumbar support on the driver side is also power-adjustable adding plenty of support.

Hybrid models seat up to 7 people with captains chairs as standard in the 2nd row. Non-hybrid models have an 8 seat option.

Hubby can stretch his legs out in the front seat not having the seat all the way back! He even sat in the 3rd row and reclined the seat like he was royalty or something.

Heated and ventilated front seats are standard on the Limited trim.

If the outside temperature is above 80F the ventilated seat on the driver side will automatically turn on on startup or remote start.

This definitely makes a hug difference with dark leather (lighter interior also available).

During the winter the same happens for the heated driver side seat and steering wheel at 40F or below.

Convenience

Yet another reason the Pacifica is so child-friendly, car seats are very easy to install.

No watching the kids throw open the back door only to discover a giant door ding on the neighboring vehicle with this car. No more getting out to open the door to make sure THAT doesn’t happen and no more whining from the back seat “mommy I can’t reach the door to close it.”

With the lower ride hide of the car, my 5-year-old and fresh 3-year-old are both able to open, get in, and close the sliding doors themselves.

YES!!!

This may seem trivial, but as a parent when you’re running around the vehicle opening and closing the doors 8 times a day (each kid twice in the morning and each kid twice in the evening) this is great.

This means the kids have an extra 2 minutes in the morning to put their shoes on the right feet [insert roll eyes emoji] and I might just make it on time.

The sliding doors can also be opened remotely from the keyfob [Insert sigh of relief] or by the kick-to-open action available on some trims.

Auto Advance ‘n Return is a system new and allows the seats to move with a push of a button for easy entry to the 2nd row.

Space

3rd row Stow and go seats fold flat for extra cargo space.

Economy

As a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the Chrysler Pacifica has a range of over 500 miles, with 30 of those in battery only. It can achieve the equivalent of 80 MPGe in all-electric mode. Combined engine and battery, the EPA rates it at 30 mpg.

Charging

Plug type for charging is the standard J1772.

I plugged in the Pacifica at Fremont Motors level 2 charging station. There are two types of charge available. A 120V, 15 AMP Level 1 charge or high voltage 240V, 30 or 32 AMP level 2 charge.

Level 2 charging takes around 2 hours.

A level 1 charge is plugging the vehicle into a wall receptacle via a portable chord that comes with the vehicle. Charging level 1 takes approx 14 hours.

Battery charging is also done via regenerative braking.

Chrysler says the battery is expected to last the life of the vehicle.

Technology and Entertainment

This is where the Pacifica Hybrid really shines.

Optional on the Touring Plus and Touring L trims (for $2,395) or standard on the Limited trim is the Uconnect Theater with Wireless Streaming system.

Consisting of 10″ seatback touchscreens (on the 2nd row), the kids were entertained for hours and hours.

Whether it was watching a movie or playing the built-in games, the only time they asked for anything was to change the movie. Games/apps are playable whilst the vehicle is in motion and includes classics such as tic-tac-toe, are we there yet and the license plate game.

This package also includes; 115-volt auxiliary power outlet, wireless headphones, video remote controls, HDMI inputs, third-row USB charge port, two USB ports, Blu-ray/DVD player and a 220-amp alternator.

Standard on the Limited trim, is an 8.4″ UConnect touchscreen, with navigation, Apple Car Play/Android Auto, SiriusXM and more. It’s simple and intuitive use with apps that load quickly.

There’s enough tech in there to keep the front seat passenger occupied.

There’s a Pacifica Wave!

We passed a Velvet Red new-ish looking Chrysler Pacifica, and right as I said to myself, “I wonder if there’s a Pacifica wave…”, as I eagerly awaited to see if they’d wave first. I got, not a little wave, but a giant wave! It’s official, there IS a Pacifica wave.

Overall thoughts on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited.

A Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited is ultimately a very kid-friendly vehicle. Not only is it easy for cars seats, with 5.1″ of ground clearance, it’s easy to get in and out of and keeps the kids entertained.

My only complaint on the Pacifica is the rotary shifter dial is in fairly close proximity to the volume dial and I almost reached for the wrong one a couple of times.

Perfect for a road trip with the kids, it’s easy to drive especially with Adaptive Cruise Control, it’s comfortable and being a hybrid has good fuel economy.

For winter in this hybrid minivan, I’d recommend a good seat of tires for the rocky mountain area.

When the kids turn 16 they can drive us around while we sit in the back, watch movies and play games!

All opinions are my own. If you have any further questions on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, contact your preferred Chrysler dealership or if you have a question for me, drop a comment below.