Chrysler Pacifica

Which Chrysler Pacifica Version Should You Buy?

The Chrysler Pacifica choice depends mainly on whether you want the earlier SUV 5-doors format or the later Minivan, and whether performance, AWD, or lower measured fuel consumption matters most. The first generation, produced from 2003 to 2007, offers six Gasoline versions with 4- or 6-speed Automatic gearboxes and a choice of FWD or AWD.

The Chrysler Pacifica choice depends mainly on whether you want the earlier SUV 5-doors format or the later Minivan, and whether performance, AWD, or lower measured fuel consumption matters most. The first generation, produced from 2003 to 2007, offers six Gasoline versions with 4- or 6-speed Automatic gearboxes and a choice of FWD or AWD. The second generation began in 2016 as a Minivan with three versions, followed by a restyling from 2020 with two versions. Among models with complete acceleration data, the 280 hp 3.6L is quickest at 7.4 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, while the 287 hp 3.6 AT has the highest measured top speed at 229 km/h. For economy, the restyled 264 hp 3.6 Pentastar V6 Plug-in Hybrid EVT records the lowest measured combined consumption at 3 L/100 km.

Chrysler Pacifica generations: what changed?

The first-generation Chrysler Pacifica ran from 2003 to 2007 as an SUV 5-doors and includes six listed versions. Its engine range comprises the 3.5 AT with 253 hp in FWD and AWD forms, the FWD 3.8 AT with either 214 or 218 hp, and the 4.0 AT with 255 hp in FWD and AWD forms. Every version is Gasoline-powered and Automatic. The 3.5 AT and 3.8 AT use 4-speed gearboxes, whereas both 4.0 AT versions use 6-speed gearboxes. AWD is available only on one 3.5 AT and one 4.0 AT.

The second-generation Chrysler Pacifica ran from 2016 to 2019 as a Minivan and has three listed versions: the 248 hp 3.6 AT Hybrid, the 280 hp 3.6L Gasoline model, and the 287 hp 3.6 AT Gasoline model. All have 3,605 cc V-shaped 6-cylinder engines, Automatic 9-speed gearboxes, FWD, independent spring suspension at both ends, and ventilated front disc brakes. Compared with the first generation, this range removes AWD from the listed specifications but adds a Hybrid option and moves every listed version to a 9-speed Automatic.

The second-generation restyling began in 2020 and remains without a stated stop date in the supplied data. It stays a Minivan and contains two versions: the 280 hp 3.6 AT Gasoline model and the 264 hp 3.6 Pentastar V6 Plug-in Hybrid EVT. Both are FWD, use front-transverse 3,605 cc V-shaped 6-cylinder engines, and have Automatic transmissions. The Gasoline 3.6 AT has 9 speeds; the number of transmission ratios for the Plug-in version is not measured.

Chrysler Pacifica engine specs compared

Power per litre helps separate engines that have similar capacities. The 287 hp 3.6 AT produces about 79.6 hp per litre, the highest result in the supplied range. The 280 hp 3.6L and restyled 280 hp 3.6 AT each produce about 77.7 hp per litre. The 264 hp 3.6 Pentastar V6 Plug-in Hybrid EVT delivers about 73.2 hp per litre, while the 248 hp Hybrid 3.6 AT provides about 68.8 hp per litre.

Within the first generation, the 3.5 AT makes about 71.9 hp per litre. The 255 hp 4.0 AT produces about 64.5 hp per litre, but its 373 Nm is the highest torque figure measured anywhere in the catalogue data. The 214 hp and 218 hp 3.8 AT versions make about 56.6 and 57.7 hp per litre respectively.

Chrysler Pacifica performance, mpg and gas mileage

The 280 hp 3.6L and restyled 280 hp 3.6 AT share a measured 7.4-second 0–100 km/h time and 196 km/h top speed. The 287 hp 3.6 AT adds 7 hp and reaches 229 km/h, which is 33 km/h more, although its 7.6-second acceleration time is 0.2 seconds slower.

The 287 hp 3.6 AT uses 0.6 L/100 km less in measured city driving than the 280 hp 3.6L, while both record 8.4 L/100 km on the highway and 10.7 L/100 km combined. The restyled 280 hp 3.6 AT retains the 13 L/100 km city and 8.4 L/100 km highway figures but reduces measured combined consumption by 0.7 L/100 km to 10 L/100 km.

The 3.6 Pentastar V6 Plug-in Hybrid EVT records 3 L/100 km combined, a difference of 7 L/100 km from the restyled Gasoline 3.6 AT. City and highway figures for the Plug-in are not measured, so the combined result should not be extended to those driving conditions.

Chrysler Pacifica weight, clearance, tank and wheel specs

Among versions with measured kerb weight, the 287 hp 3.6 AT has the strongest power-to-weight result at about 6.8 kg per horsepower. The 280 hp 3.6L and restyled 280 hp 3.6 AT each carry about 7.5 kg per horsepower. The 253 hp FWD 3.5 AT is about 8.0 kg per horsepower, compared with about 8.5 kg per horsepower for the otherwise equivalent AWD version; AWD adds 145 kg according to the listed kerb figures.

The Plug-in weighs 2,273 kg, which is 182 kg more than the restyled Gasoline 3.6 AT, and its 62 L tank is 9 L smaller. First-generation versions have 87 L tanks, 16 L more than the later 71 L Gasoline and Hybrid specifications and 25 L more than the restyled Plug-in.

Ground clearance also distinguishes the body styles. Most measured first-generation versions have 150 mm, while the later Minivan specifications provide 130 or 131 mm. That is a difference of up to 20 mm in favor of the SUV 5-doors versions.

Which Chrysler Pacifica version should you choose?

Choose the first-generation 3.5 AT with 253 hp and AWD if AWD is essential and you prefer the 3,518 cc engine. It matches the FWD 3.5 AT for power, torque, acceleration, and measured top speed, but its recorded kerb weight is 145 kg higher.

Choose the first-generation 4.0 AT with 255 hp if maximum measured torque matters most. Its 373 Nm exceeds the 3.5 AT by 34 Nm, the 3.8 AT by 50 Nm, and every later 355 Nm Gasoline version by 18 Nm. It also brings a 6-speed Automatic instead of the 4-speed Automatic used by the earlier 3.5 AT and 3.8 AT choices. Select its AWD form when drive layout takes priority; its kerb weight and performance figures are not measured.

Choose the 2016–2019 3.6 AT with 287 hp for the strongest performance-oriented specification. It combines the catalogue’s highest power, highest measured top speed, and best measured weight-per-horsepower figure. Against the 280 hp 3.6L, it adds 7 hp, weighs 127 kg less, and reduces city consumption by 0.6 L/100 km, while combined consumption remains 10.7 L/100 km.

Choose the 2016–2019 3.6L with 280 hp, or the restyled 3.6 AT with 280 hp, when the measured 7.4-second 0–100 km/h time matters more than maximum speed. The restyled version is the better economy choice between them because its measured combined figure is 10 L/100 km rather than 10.7 L/100 km, with equal power, torque, displacement, kerb weight, acceleration, and top speed.

Choose the 3.6 Pentastar V6 Plug-in Hybrid EVT when the lowest measured combined consumption is the deciding number. Its 3 L/100 km result is substantially below every other measured combined figure, although it gives up 16 hp to the restyled Gasoline 3.6 AT, weighs 182 kg more, and has a tank that is 9 L smaller. Acceleration, top speed, torque, city consumption, and highway consumption are not measured.

The 248 hp 3.6 AT Hybrid is harder to rank on economy because its consumption, acceleration, and top-speed figures are not measured. Its clear catalogue distinctions are Hybrid power, 248 hp, 312 Nm, a 9-speed Automatic, FWD, a 2,242 kg kerb weight, and a 2,858 kg gross weight. It therefore suits a buyer specifically seeking the 2016–2019 Hybrid specification, but the supplied numbers do not support claiming an economy or performance advantage.