2020 Chrysler Pacifica Review

Name: 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Review
Brand: Chrysler
Price: 19982 USD

2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Touring L Passenger Minivan Exterior Shown

+414

The Chrysler Pacifica meets all minivan expectations and exceeds them in some key areas. Overall performance is strong, thanks to a powerful V6 engine and confident handling. On paper it doesn't match the cargo capacity of some rivals, but only by a few cubic feet, which means there's still plenty of space. In terms of passenger room, the second-row seats can easily accommodate adults, but the third row is better suited to kids.

There are plenty of standard and available tech and safety features to meet your particular needs. When it comes to value, build quality and fuel economy, the Pacifica gets average scores.

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Chrysler Pacifica model years

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Chrysler Pacifica types

Minivan
Plug-in Hybrid

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2020 Chrysler Pacifica Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Easy to transform from people hauler to cargo transport
Upscale look of the interior design and materials
Many available convenience, safety and luxury features
All-around visibility is excellent

Cons

Second- and third-row seats aren't as roomy or comfortable as rivals'
Nine-speed transmission occasionally exhibits clunky or slow shifts
Seat padding is on the firm side

What's new

Trim levels reduced to four choices
All-wheel drive now available
Some previously optional features are now standard
Minor cosmetic changes to the interior
Part of the first Pacifica minivan generation introduced for the 2017 model year

Overview

As accomplished as three-row SUVs might be, when it comes to hauling a big family and its stuff, minivans continue to rule supreme. One of our favorites is the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, helped by strong overall performance, a long list of standard and optional features, newly available all-wheel drive and pleasing style inside and out.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Touring 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$190/mo

$224/mo

Avg. Midsize Minivan

Calculate my fuel costs

One of the Pacifica's greatest assets is its class-exclusive Stow 'n Go second- and third-row seats that fold flat into the floor with relative ease. That lets you tailor the cabin to your particular needs in an instant. Naturally, there are plenty of advanced safety and entertainment features to keep everyone in the family secure and occupied.

Among minivans, the Pacifica is second only to the top-ranked Honda Odyssey, which edges out the Chrysler when it comes to cargo space, clever storage solutions and comfort. It's a close battle between the Honda and the Pacifica Hybrid, which gets a slightly better overall score than this non-hybrid model.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Pacifica drive? By minivan standards, the Pacifica is a strong performer. The 287-horsepower V6 gets it up to 60 mph in a quick 7.7 seconds while the brakes bring it to a stop from that speed in only 119 feet. Handling is also praiseworthy, with well-managed body roll and stability over midcorner bumps. We're no fans of the nine-speed transmission's indecisiveness and slow reactions, though, and the steering feel is also on the vague side, which isn't all that uncommon in the class.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Pacifica? There's a lot of comfort to be had in the Pacifica, but it can depend on passenger size and seat selection. The second-row seats are big enough for adults, but the third row is better suited for smaller passengers. Unfortunately, neither of these rows slides or reclines, and all seats have overly firm padding.

The ride is smooth and calm, but we suggest sticking to smaller wheel sizes to keep it that way. Road and wind noise is well silenced, though we did notice a few creaks from the interior.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? The controls inside the Pacifica are very intuitive and easy to use, with large buttons within arm's reach of the driver. The sliding rear passenger doors provide a generous opening to get in and out or load child seats, and there's a large gap between the second-row seats to access the third row.

From the front seats, the Pacifica feels large, with ample headroom and hip room available. Legroom in the second and third rows, however, is just average. Competitors, including the Honda Odyssey and the Kia Sedona, beat it by a few inches. The massive windows, big mirrors and clear lines of sight mean virtually zero blind spots. A rearview camera comes standard, and a 360-degree surround-view camera is optional.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but even without them, Chrysler's Uconnect is one of the easiest systems to use. The controls are easy to understand with a convenient menu on the lower portion of the screen for main commands, and the device interface operates as it should.

Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning/intervention and a 360-degree camera are optional. The adaptive cruise is overly sensitive at times, leaving a large following distance and braking hard when minor slowing occurs in front of you.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The Pacifica might not be the biggest vehicle in the class, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 140.5 cubic feet with the rear rows folded. It only falls behind the leaders such as the Honda Odyssey by a few cubic feet. Stow 'n Go seating is an excellent feature, and when the seats aren't stowed, there's good storage underneath the floor.

Center console storage is adequate for large water bottles and a few snacks. There are a lot of small pockets throughout the cabin. Cupholders, cubbies and magazine slots are all present. Maximum towing capacity is 3,600 pounds, which is marginally better than other minivans' ratings.

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA-estimated mileage for the Pacifica is 22 mpg combined (19 city/28 highway), which is average for a minivan. On our 116-mile evaluation loop, the Pacifica got 25 mpg, which is about what we'd expect.

Value

7.0/10

Is the Pacifica a good value? In standard trim, the Pacifica is a decent value with lots of equipment. In higher trims, there are plenty of optional features offered, but you'll pay a premium for a well-equipped Pacific over competent rivals such as the Odyssey and the Sedona. At first glance, the Pacifica presents an upscale vibe with nice soft-touch surfaces for your elbows. Upon closer inspection, things are less than perfect, with crooked stitching on the steering wheel and door panels.

Wildcard

7.0/10

There's nothing particularly dynamic or outwardly impressive about the Pacifica, but it's still a good vehicle to drive. It feels solid around corners, has good manners on the highway and, for a minivan, it looks pretty sleek.

The interior and exterior styling is attractive with available perforated leather and lots of good-looking surfaces — a departure from the old, boxy Town and Country, for sure. If your family is looking for a stylish way to travel, this certainly fits the bill.

Which Pacifica does Edmunds recommend?

The Touring L trim gets our recommendation for budget-minded shoppers. You'll get roof rails, heated front seats, leather upholstery and window shades for second- and third-row passengers. It's also the only trim available with the new all-wheel-drive system should you need additional traction during winter months. We also suggest adding the Advanced SafetyTec package to get all of the latest safety and driver assistance technologies.

2020 Chrysler Pacifica models

The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica comes in four main trim levels: Touring, Touring L, Touring L Plus and Limited. The naming can be a little confusing but, as expected, the more expensive the trim level, the more standard features you get. There's also a plug-in Pacifica Hybrid, which is reviewed separately.

Every Pacifica gets the same engine: a 3.6-liter V6 (287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque) paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Most models come with front-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive is optional on the Touring L via the AWD Launch Edition package. Seven-passenger seating is standard across the board, and eight-passenger seating is optional on all Pacificas.

Standard feature highlights for the Touring trim include 17-inch wheels, fog lights, rear parking sensors, heated mirrors, a power liftgate and sliding doors, keyless entry/ignition, remote engine start, tri-zone automatic climate control, second-row in-floor storage bins, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a conversation mirror, cloth upholstery, 60/40-split third-row Stow 'n Go seats, active noise cancellation, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satellite radio and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

The Touring L trim adds roof rails, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, and window shades for second and third rows. In addition to all-wheel drive, the new AWD Launch edition package for the Touring L adds black-painted exterior accents and 18-inch wheels.

Stepping up to the Touring L Plus will get you an upgraded center console, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated second-row seats, a 115-volt household power outlet, rear interior ambient lighting, a Wi-Fi hotspot, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, a rear entertainment system with DVD/Blu-Ray player, a premium 13-speaker Alpine audio system, and additional USB ports in the third row.

At the top of the range, the Limited trim comes with 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights, LED fog lights, an auto-dimming driver-side mirror, power-folding mirrors, hands-free power sliding doors and liftgate, premium leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, power-folding third-row seats, and additional USB ports in the second row.

Some features are offered as options on supporting trims. The Advanced SafetyTec package bundles automatic high beams, front parking sensors, automatic wipers, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, an automated parking system, a surround-view camera and a larger driver information display.

Other add-ons include a tow package and a 20-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. For a little extra spice, the S Appearance, Red S Appearance and 35th Anniversary packages add cosmetic changes inside and out.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#1 out of 14 among Minivans

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Chrysler Pacifica from 2008-2022.}

$476/yr

vs. $549/yr
for Average Minivan

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.54x/yr

vs. 1.47x/yr
for Average Minivan

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

6.9%

vs. 12.5%
for Average Minivan

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Chrysler Pacifica.

5 (43%)

4 (14%)

3 (14%)

2 (21%)

1 (8%)

3.6

49 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 49 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Nearly perfect...nearly

BoodleDob, 12/30/2020

2020 Chrysler Pacifica Red S 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A)

Nearly perfect. I traded in my 2018 Pacifica Limited for the Red "S" Limited edition. I personally like the red seats! I use mine for business and rarely carry more than one passenger. More apparent room and far more flexibility than any other minivan from what I saw. I didn't look at published specs to bear that out but it seems to be the case. Stow and Go seating is worth the price of …

Visited dealership for repairs 6 times in 6 months

Nicole, 02/24/2020

2020 Chrysler Pacifica Limited 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A)

I have a Chrysler Pacifica Limited. It's had one issue after another. Electrical issues, infotainment screen freezing, fuel pump failed, issues with sliding doors, and the latest is the compressor on the A/C is bad. It's unbelievable how many times I've had to take it to the dealership for repairs. I love this van as far as the interior features and comfort but it has not been reliable …

Many problems especially hard shifts

Kevin B, 07/25/2020

2020 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A)

The transmission on the Pacifica is awful. Hard shifts (and I mean really hard!) are common occurrences and started while it was new. Problems with the electrical system and the automatic doors not closing correctly. My first and last Chrysler.

Great specs but totally unreliable.

Tastie Cereale, 08/12/2021

2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT)

I purchased a 2020 Limited in September of 2020. It is now August of 2021 and Chrysler has sent me an offer to buy back the vehicle after months of my requests that they do so. Problems have included poor electric range, terrible whining and straining sounds, the check engine light coming on when I was 700+ miles from home (prompting Chrysler reps to direct me to leave the vehicle at a …

See all 49 reviews of the Chrysler Pacifica

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2020 Pacifica Highlights

Type:

Minivan

Trim:

Touring

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$34,045
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$190/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	32.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Pacifica models:

Front/Rear Park Assist with Stop: Alerts the driver when there is an object directly in front of or behind the vehicle. Applies the brakes if necessary.
Surround View Camera: Provides a 360-degree, top-down view to help the driver park.
Blind-Spot Monitoring: Informs the driver of a vehicle in a blind spot. Also identifies vehicles crossing the Pacifica's path while backing up.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover11.6%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 Chrysler Pacifica Review

2020 Chrysler Pacifica Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Touring 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Pacifica does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Chrysler Pacifica models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Nearly perfect...nearly

Visited dealership for repairs 6 times in 6 months

Many problems especially hard shifts

Great specs but totally unreliable.

2020 Pacifica Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Touring 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}