2026 Chrysler Pacifica Stands Up to America's Minivan Heritage

The lower center of gravity, decreased weight, and shorter wheelbase work together to make Chrysler’s minivan drive more like a car than any Suburban ever could. ”

I drove the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica recently and discovered that the modern minivan is neither modern nor mini, but it’s a good family vehicle nevertheless.

The groundbreaking 1984 Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans brought innovations like sliding side rear doors, smaller size, four-cylinder fuel efficiency, and lower step-in height to the family van segment and were immediate sales home runs.  Given the alternatives at the time—not-very-utilitarian station wagons, and thirsty and expensive full-size vans—it surprised almost no one that the pioneering Chrysler minivans became best sellers.

Forty-two years later, minivans have faded mostly into irrelevance as SUVs and crossovers have taken over as preferred family conveyances.  I blame Chrysler and other manufacturers who over the years have allowed minivans to become caricatures of what they were originally, and almost kryptonite for self-respecting moms (and dads).

Too bad because the latest minivans have evolved into excellent family haulers.  As they've grown with time they’re no longer the diminutive space efficient vehicles they used to be, but they’re still better in many ways than the SUVs and crossovers that have supplanted them in the minds and wallets of customers.

During my time with a 2025 Chrysler Pacifica, I enjoyed its family friendly utilitarian virtues a lot but found its look quite off putting.  Sadly, the Pacifica, like most modern minivans, is ugly.  Not ugly ugly like you can’t even stand to look at it, but ugly like, “Are you an Uber driver?”, or "I work two jobs and a seven-year car loan” ugly.

Nevertheless, the Pacifica is indeed highly utilitarian, and objectively more so than a “cooler” Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, or Toyota Highlander.

First of all, the low ride height of the Pacifica makes loading kids and gear a cinch compared with the aforementioned best selling family vehicles.  In addition, dual siding rear doors are way better than standard SUV doors for accessing the cabin, and the wonderful “Stow N Go” second and third row seats allow for a fully flat floor behind the front seats if that’s what you need.

The real-world utility of the Pacifica is worth a minute of discussion.  Many parents and grandparents drive Suburbans or the like because they regularly carry children and their stuff.  But the space advantage of those big SUVs compared with minivans is less than you might think—cargo room behind the third row (third row folded up) is: Pacifica 32.3ft3, Suburban 41.5ft3, behind 2nd row (3rd row down) Pacifica 87.5ft3 Suburban 93.8ft3, with 2nd and 3rd rows folded down Pacifica 140.5ft3 Suburban 144.5ft3. Pretty similar.  Obviously, neither the Explorer, Pilot, nor Highlander, which are smaller than a Suburban, can seriously compete with the Pacifica when it comes to interior space and utility.

Now consider that the Pacifica gets 19 MPG city, 28 highway compared with the Suburban’s much less impressive 15/20 numbers.

And don’t forget price: average transaction prices for 2025 Pacificas were around $45,000, while average Suburban buyers paid $60,000 - $80,000 depending on trim levels.  That’s quite a difference.

By the way, driving the Pacifica is better than piloting a big SUV.  The lower center of gravity, decreased weight, and shorter wheelbase work together to make Chrysler’s minivan drive more like a car than any Suburban ever could. 

Obviously, the Pacifica is no sports car, but the 3.6L V6’s 287HP provides plenty of oomph to get you where you’re going (an optional plug-in hybrid system is available if you’re so inclined).

I get it that SUVs like Ford Explorers or Chevy Suburbans are much more desirable than Pacificas—personally, I’d buy a Suburban every time over any minivan including a Pacifica—but it’s worth having this conversation because minivans actually make more sense in many ways than SUVs. 

If you’re looking for a family vehicle that can seat up to eight, is highly configurable, relatively fuel efficient, and affordable, give the Chrysler Pacifica a look.  It’s neither cool nor visually attractive, but you can’t have everything in life.

Stephen Schutz has covered the automotive world for more than 30 years as a syndicated writer and podcast host.  Read his column monthly in The Cricket.