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The Chrysler Pacifica checks a lot of boxes. It can seat seven or eight passengers, it has the cool Stow and Go seats, it has the Uconnect infotainment system, it has storage all over the cabin, and a powerful V6. There’s a lot more to this minivan than simply storage and seating. But it may be a surprise to learn why the Chrysler Pacifica is the second best-selling minivan.

What makes the Chrysler Pacifica a best-selling minivan?

A dark blue Chrysler Pacifica van parked on cobbles.
2022 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Hybrid | Chrysler

Though the features and cabin space make it practical for a lot of families, one of the major reasons Chrysler can book so many sold Pacificas is because of its fleet sales program. According to Stellantis’s latest sales news release, “The Chrysler brand’s total U.S. sales rose 95%, with the Chrysler Pacifica up 143% versus the same quarter last year. The Chrysler brand and Pacifica Q2 sales increase was driven by increased fleet sales due (to) a backlog of order(s).”

So, in other words, many of the Chrysler vans you may encounter in the wild aren’t hauling kids to soccer practice. They’re owned by companies or the government to haul professionals.

Chrysler sold more than 32,000 Pacificas in the second quarter of 2022. In fact, according to GoodCarBadCar.net, which tracks sales, more Pacificas found homes so far in 2022 than the Honda Odyssey and the Kia Carnival, combined. Toyota sold 34,409 Sienna minivans this year, according to the company, making it the best-selling minivan.

The Pacifica offers a lot in a minivan

The Chrysler Pacifica got a redesign in 2017 that made it much more competitive in the minivan segment. It gained a swoopy swoosh of stamped metal along the side and a front end that makes it look dignified. But, it also kept the clever Stow and Go system, which allows you to fold the seats into the floors, as well as dozens of small but useful features, like a bird’s eye mirror in the ceiling that lets the driver see all seven or eight passengers.

You can order a plug-in hybrid version of the Pacifica

A white Chrysler Pacifica minivan at a charging station.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid | Frederich J. Brown, via Getty Images

For 2022 you can order one as a plug-in hybrid, too, that offers up to 33 miles of electric-only range. But, the batteries are in the floor so you don’t get the Stow and Go seats. But, the hybrid offers all of the comfort, technology, and cupholders of the regular Pacifica.

Is Chrysler Pacifica a reliable car?

The reliability of the Chrysler Pacifica seems to be its Achilles heel. It is not a recommended vehicle at Consumer Reports and it scores low on the predicted reliability rating. Also, in its review, Car and Driver reported several reliability issues that were covered under warranty.

J.D. Power echoes CR’s sentiments. Owners of the Pacifica said that the quality and reliability of the Chrysler Pacifica is only fair when asked about defects, malfunctions, and design flaws. Also, owners reported only average resale values and an average driving experience. It finished third, of three, in the minivan category at J.D. Power.

RELATED: What Is the Most Useful Minivan?

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.