Do You Go Hybrid or Gas With a Chrysler Pacifica?

A used Chrysler Pacifica can be a great choice if you are looking for an exceptional minivan that is perfect for the family. This is why it won the 2020 Family Fun Award from CarBuzz, was named the Family Friendly Vehicle for the New School year from Cars.com, and has won the Consumer Guide Best Buy Award for three straight years. When Chrysler introduced the Pacifica in 2017, they were the first automaker to offer a minivan with a hybrid engine option. So if you are looking to buy a used Chrysler Pacifica, then you need to know the difference between the traditional gas-powered Pacifica and the hybrid.

This difference will be found in a number of categories, including pricing, powertrain, fuel economy, and interior space. Each of these criteria will provide a guide for you when you stop by our dealership to buy your used Chrysler Pacifica. At Orange Coast CJDRF, our team of friendly salespeople will guide you through the process of buying your next used Pacifica, helping you determine which powertrain option is best for you. They will also show you all the options on the various models so you can find the one that best suits your family’s lifestyle.

Differences in Pricing

As you probably guessed, choosing a Chrysler Pacifica minivan with a hybrid powertrain is going to set you back a few more dollars than if you opt for the traditional gas-powered engine. When they were first introduced in 2017, the Pacifica hybrid model had an MSRP of roughly $43,000, significantly higher than that of the base model Pacifica LX with a gas engine, which had an MSRP of around $29,500. This disparity in pricing persists today, although the 2021 models do not have as great a gulf in MSRP as the older models.

For example, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Touring has an MSRP of $39,995,* while the 2021 Pacifica Touring with a gas engine has an MSRP of $35,045.* Part of the reason for this is that Chrysler standardized the trims on the two minivans starting in 2020, with a Touring and Touring L model, followed by the Limited and Pinnacle, both of which are all-wheel drive standard. Nevertheless, if pricing is a key issue for you, then choosing a Pacifica with a gas engine will probably save you about $5,000 on the initial purchase price.

Differences in Powertrain

Both models of the Chrysler Pacifica feature a 3.6-liter V6 gas engine. However, there are a number of key differences that set the hybrid model apart from the conventional one. The standard Pacifica’s gas engine produces 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. These are solid numbers for a minivan. In addition, this Pacifica pairs its engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission, improving responsiveness and giving you greater control over your minivan.

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 gas engine, which works in coordination with a pair of dual electric motors, one for each axle. These, in turn, are powered by a 360V 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. The total system can produce 260 horsepower.

The Pacifica Hybrid is designed to seamlessly switch between the gas engine and the electric motors to increase fuel efficiency. This gives the Pacifica a range of 520 miles on a single tank of gas, with the ability to drive up to 32 miles solely on electric power. Like most hybrid engines, the Pacifica Hybrid uses the gas engine and brake recapture to charge the lithium-ion battery.

The transmission is also different on the Pacifica Hybrid. Rather than using an automatic transmission with set gear speeds, the Pacifica Hybrid features a CVT, which stands for a continuously variable transmission. This replaces set gear speeds with a system where the transmission constantly adjusts engine speed to driving conditions, improving overall efficiency. However, some folks find the CVT a little choppy and prefer an automatic transmission. This is all a matter of personal taste, and ultimately, the Pacifica Hybrid will provide more range on a tank of gas as well as a more efficient overall performance.

Fuel Economy

The major difference between the Pacifica Hybrid and the model with the gas engine is fuel economy. If your main objective is to save money at the gas pump, then a used Pacifica Hybrid is the choice for you. The Pacifica Hybrid gets an average 82 MPGe with a front-wheel drivetrain. This translates to 30 miles per gallon combined between city and highway driving.

This is certainly more fuel-efficient than the Pacifica with a standard gas engine. This model gets around 19 miles per gallon in the city, 28 miles per gallon on the highway, and 23 miles per gallon combined when equipped with standard front-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive Pacifica with a gas engine has a slightly lower fuel economy of 17 miles per gallon in city driving, 25 miles per gallon in the city, and 20 miles per gallon combined. However, Chrysler only started offering the Pacifica with all-wheel drive in 2020, so you may not find too many of these models for sale on the used car market.

Interior Space

One of the main reasons to buy a minivan is for interior space. You’ve got a large family, and you need a vehicle that can comfortably fit up to 8 passengers, along with all of your stuff. Whether you are taking the kids to school, heading out on a family vacation, or just coming back from grocery shopping, you are going to need all that room for school bags, groceries, luggage, and whatever else you need to bring along. Fortunately, Chrysler designed the Pacifica Hybrid with plenty of room for passengers and their belongings.

When hybrids first started hitting the auto market in America, they were a real compromise. Sure, you got great gas mileage, but the interiors on those first hybrids were cramped with little room in the trunk and a rear seat that was at best an afterthought. When Chrysler launched the Pacifica in 2017, it made sure that you don’t have to make that compromise. Whether you choose a hybrid or gas-powered model, you are going to get exactly the same amount of interior space. That is because the Chrysler engineers located the electric motors and battery on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid in ways that do not detract from the passenger and cargo space.

No matter which powertrain you choose, you are going to get a full 165 cubic feet of passenger space on your used Pacifica. This means that you will get great legroom, including 39 inches in the second row and 36.5 inches in the last row. So, whether you choose one configured for 7 or 8 passengers, you won’t have to worry about the kids complaining about being cramped in the back.

Similarly, the Pacifica has a great deal of cargo space. The trunk easily opens to reveal a full 32.3 cubic feet of space for all your things. If you need more space, simply fold down the third row to free up 87.5 cubic feet of space. Still need more room? You can get an incredible 140.5 cubic feet of cargo space by folding down the second row of seats as well.

By offering the same amount of passenger and cargo space on the hybrid Pacifica as on the gas-powered model, Chrysler takes this out of the equation when you have to decide on which model you want. In that way, you don’t have to feel like you are compromising space when you choose to go with a hybrid.

The Ultimate Decision Is Yours

If you are looking to buy a used Chrysler Pacifica, the decision will come down to whether you are willing to pay extra for a hybrid powertrain and get the benefits or greater fuel efficiency. All used models of the Chrysler Pacifica come with the same roomy interior, plenty of cargo space, and the Uconnect infotainment system. So the decision will come down to your personal budget and needs. Contact us at Orange Coast CJDRF today, and let us help you decide whether to buy your used Chrysler Pacifica with a gas engine or a hybrid powertrain.

*MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.