Stylish Minivan? It’s Not an Oxymoron with the Chrysler Pacifica

Finding a reliable, high-quality used vehicle is always a challenge, but finding a used Chrysler in Lexington is even more difficult. Why? These in-demand high-quality pre-owned Chrysler models sell fast. Buyers know that choosing a Chrysler means they’re getting a near-luxury vehicle at the most affordable price, and who doesn’t want that in a used car!

Many people ask, is there an affordable, family-friendly Chrysler model available? The answer is a resounding yes. The Chrysler Pacifica minivan is the perfect choice for busy families looking to chauffeur their precious cargo around in a vehicle that delivers on both safety and comfort. And if a hybrid vehicle is high on your list, the Pacifica fits the bill for you too.

A Quick Look at the Pacifica

The Pacifica was originally launched in the 2004 model year, and since that time, roughly 750,000 have been sold. That represents a pretty deep pool of available pre-owned Pacificas. Currently in its third generation redesign, the Pacifica is still a family favorite, and for good reason. The minivan body style offers the most convenience for families and plenty of interior passenger and cargo space to boot.

The second generation Pacifica, manufactured from 2017-2020, was designed to replace Chrysler’s retired Town & Country minivan. Its crossover-like body style bridged the style gap for many buyers who wanted all the conveniences of a minivan but weren’t excited about traditional minivan styling. This generation even offered a hybrid powertrain trim option. It’s a sweet spot of price and advanced technology – both safety and entertainment – that will benefit busy families looking for a safe and fun people mover.

Let’s take a closer look at the second generation Pacifica, zeroing in on the model years that offer the most variety in terms of available options and trims. Let’s also dive a little deeper into independent safety ratings and other factors that make choosing a pre-owned Pacifica a slam dunk. Get to know the Chrysler Pacifica today. You might be surprised at all it has to offer.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica

Fresh off the assembly line, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica was completely redesigned and re-styled for more image-conscious families still desiring all the utility of a minivan without the hit to their cool factor. Of this 2017 Pacifica redesign, Car and Driver exclaimed that it’s “never been quicker, better-looking, or more fuel efficient.” In fact, the highly respected auto review site named it Best Van on its coveted 2017 10Best Trucks and SUVs list.

One of the Pacifica’s enduring favorite features is its Stow ’n Go second-row seats. The seats easily fold into the floor, allowing easier third-row access and, when needed, a significant upgrade to cargo-hauling capacity. The storage spaces designed to hold the Stow ’n Go seats when not in use double as extra storage when the seats are in use, a nice bonus feature for parents who are tired of looking at mounting piles of kiddie detritus.

Those spaces are great spots for wayward DVDs, too, which you’ll appreciate if you opt for the available dual-touchscreen (nicely sized at 10.1 inches) Uconnect Theater rear entertainment system. With built-in games and USB/HDMI ports, it’s more dynamic than run-of-the-mill DVD players. The top-of-the-line Pacifica Limited adds even more luxury and tech features, like a panoramic sunroof, automatic sliding doors that open with a simple swipe of your foot under the door sensor, and a built-in central vacuum.

Where the 2017 Pacifica shines is safety. From the available 360-degree surround-view camera to the surprisingly accurate adaptive cruise control system, the Pacifica is full of safety and driver-assist features that are designed to keep occupants protected. The 2017 Pacifica earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute and a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica

For 2018, Chrysler added handy rear parking sensors that help drivers significantly when backing out of a driveway or parking spot. Also new for 2018, all Pacifica trims include additional driver-assist systems, specifically blind-spot alert and a rear cross-traffic alert. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration is also added for this model year Pacifica.

We love that Chrysler continued pushing the entertainment envelope in this model year version, with an available 13-speaker Alpine audio system and an even nicer Harman Kardon premium system in the top-end Limited trim. The touch screen gets larger too in upper-level trims, now at 8.4 inches. We appreciate Chrysler’s attention to detail on the Pacifica’s interior, giving it an upscale appearance with plenty of woodgrain-like accents and luxurious finishes in the upgraded Limited trim, like leather seating, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats.

This 2018 Pacifica continues its predecessor’s focus on un-minivan-like performance, too, thanks to a 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers a lively 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Even with all that power, fuel economy is abundant at 18 MPG city and 28 MPG highway. 2018 saw another round of safety accolades, with the NHTSA rating at five-stars and the IIHS reporting a Top Safety Pick distinction.

2019 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica defiantly entered the competitive mix without sporting a crossover or SUV body style and still won over journalists and families alike. The 2019 Pacifica earned high marks for everything from styling to passenger and cargo volume, as well as fuel economy. Citing its easy-to-adapt modular second and third-row seating – still called Stow ’n Go – as well as its class-leading infotainment system, the editors at Car and Driver placed it on the coveted 2019 10Best Trucks and SUVs list for the third year in a row.

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid’s ample storage and family-friendly interior was a key attribute that set it apart from its competitors. It’s true, too, because the Pacifica offers a whopping 140.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, plenty of room for sports gear or bulky items. With SUVs still on the rise in the market, the competition is fierce, but it’s hard to beat the roomy interior of a minivan like the Pacifica.

Unique to the Hybrid trim, which is also available in prior model years, handling gets a boost from the low center of gravity. Because the battery pack adds about 500 pounds of weight, the Pacifica feels grippier and more solid, especially in turns. Reviewers report a stiffer than normal suspension for a typical minivan, which gets high marks because it adds a measure of stability to the ride quality.

The Pacifica Still Makes Minivans Cool

Savvy families know that utility doesn’t have to come at the cost of performance and good looks. If you’re in the market for a family vehicle that delivers consistent quality, better-than-average handling capability, and a plethora of luxury and entertainment features to keep everyone happy, look no further than the Chrysler Pacifica. There are great deals available on gently used Pacificas, so the timing is perfect to check them out.

What are you looking for in a family car? Choosing value and practicality doesn’t mean you have to compromise style. Need proof? Look no further than the third generation of Chrysler Pacifica minivans. Even seasoned automotive journalists agree that this crop of vans is nothing like the stereotype. No dowdy styling and stripped-down interiors here – just options that today’s families demand at an extremely budget-friendly price.