Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Georgetown

May 14, 2021

A dark grey 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is shown from the side parked outside of a restaurant.

View Chrysler Pacifica
Let’s say you’re a busy young family with little ones, and you’re tired of contorting yourself to access car seats, unload groceries, and stow all the gear that goes along with successfully parenting toddlers. Ditch the giant SUV and reconsider a minivan. A minivan? Yes, a minivan. When you simply look up “Chrysler dealer near me,” you’ll find the newer and better 2021 Pacifica and Voyager lineup at dealers like us.

The word ‘minivan’ became slightly taboo in the mid-90s as SUVs and crossovers exploded onto the scene. Moms everywhere suddenly stuck utility on the shelf in favor of rugged lines and extra heft. We’re not bashing the SUV, but sometimes, for sanity’s sake, practicality has to win. This is especially true when you’re raising a family.

For that reason, we think the minivan is poised to make a big comeback, especially now that the market is saturated with crossovers bearing vanilla styling and a scant two rows of seating (unless you opt for a $70,000 land yacht!). Suddenly, the style points gained from parking an SUV in your driveway can’t offset the sacrifice in interior space. Intrigued? Well, then you have to check out the 2021 Chrysler Voyager and Pacifica. These two minivan legends deliver all the utility only a minivan can with a surprising amount of style and swagger. Which one is right for you?

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Highlights

Starting at an MSRP of $35,195, the 8-passenger Pacifica is Chrysler’s luxury-oriented minivan option. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the myriad luxury options available that combine to create a cabin that rivals even the most expensive luxury imports. Interior comfort and luxury are just one part of the Pacifica’s story, though.

Whenever the subject of minivans comes up, the number one topic tends to center on safety. That’s for a good reason since most minivan buyers are carrying precious cargo: their children. The 2021 Pacifica claims bragging rights for having more standard safety equipment than any other vehicle in the industry, regardless of category. In fact, there are over 115 total safety features available.

We also love the Pacifica’s available all-wheel drive powertrain, designed to weather even the worst snowstorms by delivering fully automatic traction and the capability of transferring power to whichever wheels are gripping the road the most. All that road handling doesn’t come at the expense of fuel economy. The Pacifica delivers up to 28 MPG on the highway or a combined rating of 82 MPGe when you select the available Pacifica Hybrid option.

What if you want luxury and performance? Then the Pacifica Pinnacle is for you. Starting at $53,390, the premium Pinnacle trim gets you a 19-speaker premium Harman Kardon audio system and buttery Nappa leather-trimmed seats in a rich caramel color. Chrysler’s clever FamCAM interior camera, which lets you keep an eye on occupants without turning around, and a rear seat entertainment system that will occupy the kiddos on long road trips are also included.

A black 2021 Chrysler Voyager is shown angled right after leaving a Chrysler dealer near you.

2021 Chrysler Voyager Highlights

We love the Voyager’s affordable starting price of $27,535. It means more families can get in on the utility of owning a minivan without the wallet pinch, which is exactly why Chrysler positioned it alongside the more expensive Pacifica. Sure, the Voyager is a little more practical than its upscale sibling, but it’s every bit as safe and convenient with the features buyers in this category demand.

Choose from the base Voyager L or, for a few thousand more, the Voyager LX. The LX adds automatic headlights, 17-inch wheels, second-row captain’s chairs with handy storage bins built into the floor, and access to the optional SafetyTec, Chrysler’s suite of driver-assist systems. Whichever Voyager trim you choose, you’ll get a standard backup camera. All Voyagers also come standard with Uconnect, an operating system that powers the in-dash 7-inch infotainment touchscreen and allows seamless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You’ll also get the super-convenient third-row Stow ’n Go seats that quickly fold down for access to additional cargo space.

The Voyager delivers all the power you’ll need, thanks to a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 287 horsepower. The powerful engine is mated with a 9-speed automatic transmission, so acceleration and gear changes are smooth and seamless. For all its heft, the 203.8-inch long 2021 Voyager still sips gas, offering an economical 19 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway.

Pacifica vs Voyager

Despite the fact that these two minivans are produced by the same manufacturer, they are strikingly different, both inside and out. The 2021 Pacifica is positioned at the premium end of the minivan category, while the Voyager is value-priced and modestly equipped. Clearly, Chrysler wanted to appeal to both ends of the budget spectrum.

One of the biggest differences between the Voyager and the Pacifica is the drivetrain. The Pacifica is offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, while the Voyager is only available in front-wheel drive. In addition, Chrysler offers the Pacifica in a Plug-In Hybrid model, an option that’s not present in the Voyager lineup.

Another stark difference is exterior styling. The Pacifica enjoyed a complete refresh for the 2021 model year, giving it a more dynamic appearance and differentiating it from the less expensive Voyager, which retains its original styling. The front end is sleek and terminates at a sloped grille emblazoned with the Chrysler logo. Chrysler describes the Chrysler as “sculpted” and adds modern features like LED lighting to enhance its sporty appearance.

Essentially, Chrysler took one minivan lineup and turned it into two, assigning the lower, less expensive trims a Voyager nameplate and reserving the more luxurious trims for the Pacifica. Buyers will get different color and wheel options also, depending on which minivan they choose. The combination of a Voyager and Pacifica option in the Chrysler minivan lineup is a smart play and should satisfy buyers across a wide range of budgets.

Thanks to the 2021 Chrysler minivan lineup, buyers craving a little more convenience have two practical and, yes, brag-worthy options. Let’s face it: raising kids is messy and challenging. It certainly does matter what you drive, but not for the reasons you think. Minivans make life easier for busy families, and if you ask any busy parent, they’ll tell you that easy is key.

A black 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle is shown parked by a lake and a white bridge.

Get Your Minivan from Dan Cummins of Georgetown

Come visit us at Dan Cummins of Georgetown, and we’ll take you through the 2021 Chrysler Voyager and the premium 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. With pricing ranging from under $30,000 to over $50,000, you’re sure to find the right level of luxury and value for your budget and lifestyle. Most of all, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the spacious cabins, advanced technology, and next-level safety incorporated into these vans.

These days, we all need to find as many life hacks as we can. The best life hacks save you time and money, and these minivans are set up to do both. While the kids are young and busy, it pays to have a vehicle that gets them safely from school to sports and everywhere in-between. Before you know it, you’ll be empty nesters, and you can trade it in for that sports car you always dreamed of. For now, enjoy the chaos and the comfort of knowing there’s a vehicle out there that can accompany you on all your family adventures.