2022 Chrysler Pacifica review 

• 2022 Chrylser Pacifica ($37,095 – $54,045) 
• The most awarded minivan during the past six years, including Texas family vehicle of the year. 
• Pros: Athletic performance, versatile interior, luxurious quality 
• Cons: Dated tech, low ground clearance, below-average reliability ranking

The 2022 Chrylser Pacifica could serve as the sportiest van available. Seriously, you can whip it around like a hatchback, making it easy to park and navigate through heavily trafficked areas. This isn’t a boring option at all. It does things you wouldn’t think a minivan could do. 

Plus, it provides plenty of comfort for the entire family with a spacious second and third row. The seats fold flat with a low liftover height. You can load all sorts of cargo and even go camping in it. Just remember to opt for all-wheel drive. 

This is part of the Pacifica minivan generation that debuted in 2017, so some aspects may show its age. However, the engaging ride, responsive handling, comfort, and hybrid powertrain make its potential drawbacks easy to overlook. 

2022 Pacifica: What’s new? 

For 2022, the Chrysler Pacifica gained a new in-cabin air filtration system to keep things fresh. Plus, the optional rear-seat entertainment system is available with Amazon Fire TV. Content will stream on the front infotainment system when the vehicle is in park. 

The hybrid model has a new Max Regeneration indicator in the digital gauge cluster that allows drivers to see how much juice they return to the batteries. Also, a new shade of Silver Mist joined the color palette options. 

Which 2022 Chrylser Pacifica model is best? 

There are four trim levels to consider: 

• 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Touring – $37,095
• Pacifica Touring L – $43,460 
• Pacifica Limited – $51,940 
• Pacifica Pinnacle – $56,095 

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid starts at $46,760, and the top-spec Pinnacle Hybrid model brings the price up to about $58,000. 

The Chrysler Pacifica Touring L serves as an excellent bargain to consider. It has plenty of comfort and convenience features without breaking the bank. You get leather seats, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, parking sensors, parking assist, and additional USB ports. 

We recommend upgrading to the plug-in hybrid powertrain for a charged experience and savings at the fuel pump. According to Edmunds, it could provide the most savings in the class, especially if you qualify for the 7,500 federal tax credit. 

How does the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica drive? 

The 2022 Chrylser Pacifica has a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine that provides 287 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.3 seconds, which is average for the class. 

You can upgrade to the hybrid powertrain. It pairs the 3.6-liter V6 engine with two electric motors to generate 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. It can reach 60 mph in about 8.4 seconds, which is just enough power for merging into traffic and passing others on the highway. 

Both powertrain options are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The van has a peppy acceleration but can be slow to downshift. It has responsive handling with direct steering to power through sharp curves with confidence. 

The Pacifica has a low center of gravity and feels well-planted and in control. The tires feel connected to the road with an athletic grip. However, the hybrid brakes can seem a bit soft at times. 

The hybrid driving modes automatically adjust for you, so you don’t have to think about saving fuel. We wish we had more control over the energy use, as it can affect the braking and acceleration performance. 

Hybrid vehicles typically have softer brakes in max regen mode, and you may want more confident stopping power in some situations. 

It has a 19.85 to 20.1-foot turning radius, making it easy to park quickly. It feels more agile and convenient than the Toyota Sienna. 

Does the Pacifica have a good fuel economy?

With the standard gas-powered engine, the Chrysler Pacifica gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and up to 28 mpg on the highway. It does slightly better than the Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival. 

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid gets an EP-estimated 32 miles of electric range on a single charge. It gets the equivalent of 82 MPGe. You can travel for up to 532 miles between fill-ups. 

On our routes along country roads, steep mountain inclines, crowded highways, and downtown areas, we averaged about 32.7 mpg. 

The regenerative brakes returned an impressive amount of power while braking and coasting. After a week of driving for hours, we never went under 400 miles. 

With a 120-volt home outlet, it takes 14 hours to recharge the batteries fully. You can restore it in two hours with a Level two or 240-volt plug. 

Can the Chrysler Pacifica go off-roading? 

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica can be equipped with all-wheel drive, but we wouldn’t consider it an off-roader. The Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition can probably get you further down the trail because it has a suspension lift. 

It’s well-equipped to handle light snow and other slippery situations. However, it only has a ground clearance of 5.4 inches. 

How comfortable is the Chrysler Pacifica? 

The Chrysler Pacifica is extremely comfortable for road trips and daily commutes. The entire family should be able to sit comfortably and stretch out without much fuss. The front seats are large and well-padded for adults of all shapes and sizes. 

You may be surprised by how large the Pacifica is on the inside. The second row provides larger seats with a wide range of adjustments. They can recline pretty far and slide forward as needed. The captain’s chairs slide forward, allowing easy access to the rear. 

The third row is comfortable too, and the seats have a relaxed backrest angle. However, taller folks may want a little more legroom. 

The Pacifica provides a pretty smooth ride quality over rough sections of pavement. Significant impacts are well absorbed without rattling the cabin. Also, the interior is peaceful and quiet. Wind and road noise is kept to a minimum, but you can hear the occasional hybrid engine whirr. 

While the climate control system is a bit loud, it’s very effective. The tri-zone climate control keeps everyone at the perfect temperature. The heated seats and ventilated seats kick in in no time. 

Our biggest gripe is the body lean around tight bends. The seats could use a little more side bolstering to hold passengers in place. Even with the sporty S Appearance package equipped, the bucket seats could be improved. 

Does the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica have a nice interior? 

Yes, the Chrysler Pacifica has an attractive, spacious interior. It has a blend of high-quality materials for comfort and durable plastics to protect the cabin from mud, dirt, and scrapes. The plastic flooring by the doors is easy to clean. 

You’ll find soft-touch surfaces and leather-wrapped materials with accent stitching to help things pop. Silver trim pieces help break up large sections of black and tan materials. 

Plus, the massive panoramic sunroof has just the right amount of tint that allows natural light to filter in without being too bright. The ambient lighting and door lamps make it easy to see at night. 

The layout is simple and well-planned. Everything you need is easily within reach, including a rearview mirror that pops out, allowing you to keep an eye on the kids and cargo. 

The doors open wide, and the seats slide forward for quick and easy access. There’s a low step-in height with plenty of handles to grab. The wide hatch is massive with a low liftover height too. 

You can open and close each of the doors with buttons on the keyfob or near the center console. You can pull up, let the kids in and out, and move on without holding up the line. 

How is the Chrysler Pacifica’s tech? 

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica is showing its age but still has modern touches. The gauge cluster is illuminated by bright blue lights, providing a trendy effect. However, the menus are limited, and you can’t change the color. 

While the 10.1-inch infotainment screen seems a little small, it’s speedy and effective. It’s easy to use, and the Unconnect 5 system is quite the upgrade. It provides plenty of themes and options. We like seeing our eco-driving reports and tips for saving more fuel. 

Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, hands-free doors, a hands-free liftgate, and a 20-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system are available. 

The rear seat entertainment system places two screens on the back of the front seats with headphone access. Each row can be equipped with USB ports. The optional FamCam provides a live feed of your passengers on the infotainment screen too. 

How much storage space does the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica have? 

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica kicks things off with 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, 87.5 cubes behind the second row, and up to 140.5 cubes total. It can easily stow 4×8 sheets of plywood. 

You can fold the second and third-row seats down to create a flat cargo floor. There are cubbies in front of the second row for extra storage. Plus, there’s a deep cubby behind the third row that’s large enough for luggage and groceries. 

The center console is a little short and narrow. The Toyota Sienna offers more personal storage options. However, there are plenty of cupholders and door pockets for each row.

 If you need more space, the Pacifica can tow up to 3,600 lbs, which is plenty of muscle for towing smaller campers and trailers. 

How safe is the Chrysler Pacifica? 

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica is incredibly safe. In fact, it’s a Top Safety Pick+ award winner. This minivan has a strong safety cage, solid roof, and low rollover risk. 

It has a Superior ranking for its ability to avoid collisions at 12 and 25 mph speeds. During the 37 mpg impact test, speed was reduced by 18 mph, and a warning was issued 1.5 seconds before impact. 

The child seat anchors received an Acceptable rating because the tethers are located deep in the seats and could be confused with other equipment. However, they are easy to attach and maneuver. 

Standard safety features include: 

• Adaptive cruise control 
• Forward collision mitigation 
• Blind spot warning 
• Lane-keeping assist 
• Lane departure warning 

How reliable is the Chrysler Pacifica? 

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica has a below-average reliability ranking. J.D.Power gave it a score of 63 out of 100, which is fair. Scores between 70 to 80 are considered to be average. Repair Pal also gave it a 3.5 out of 5.0. 

With proper care and maintenance, the Chrysler Pacifica can make it past 200,000 miles. Some drivers have managed to reach 300,000 miles. It should provide about 15 years of use on the road if you drive about 15,000 miles yearly. 

Also, 100,000 miles could be considered high mileage for the Pacifica. It costs about $480 to maintain the Pacifica annually. This is good, considering the average yearly maintenance cost for minivans comes to $647. 

MotorBiscuit gives the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica a score of 8.9 out of 10 

The expert editors at MotorBiscuit award the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica with a score of 8.9 out of 10. This is one sporty and comfortable van that makes daily commutes pretty engaging. It’s also a relaxing, low-effort vehicle to maneuver in tight areas. 

The cargo area is extremely versatile, with plenty of cubbies and Stow’ n Go seats. Plus, each row provides plenty of space for the entire family. The tech could use a slight update, but it’s intuitive and safe. 

We wish we had control over the driving hybrid modes, but it’s incredibly efficient. Also, the Pacifica has a smooth and quiet ride that’s only disrupted by body roll around narrow curves. 

This van doesn’t have much ground clearance but can tackle inclement weather situations with AWD. Plus, it has a stout towing capacity. We hope to test a gas-powered model soon to see how it compares to the hybrid.