Minivans used to dominate playground parking lots and school pickup lines. Today, the family-friendly people movers have taken a backseat to smaller, more efficient SUVs and crossovers. But one minivan, the Chrysler Pacifica, won’t go away quietly.

In fact, it dominated the minivan segment in sales last year. Also winning countless accolades, the Pacifica blew away the competition.

The pandemic affected auto sales, including minivans

The past year was tough on everyone, including the automotive industry. The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the nation as businesses closed and unemployment rates soared.

Forced to shut down production lines, automakers suffered supply chain shortages as the virus spread amid its workforce. In April 2020, minivan sales plummeted. According to GoodCarBadCar, only 8,542 units sold in the United States, compared to 21,215 units the previous month.

While the Kia Sedona and Toyota Sienna experienced record-low sales, the Chrysler Pacifica remained steady. In fact, the Pacifica had a much better 2020 in sales than all the other minivans in production last year.

GoodCarBadCar reported that one of the best months for the Pacifica was December 2020, with 11,378 units sold. The new year is off to a good start for Chrysler, with 10,989 units sold in January 2021.

The Chrysler Pacifica outperformed the competition

In the United States, five major models are available in the minivan segment. Car and Driver named the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica the winner of the Editor’s Choice award, saying, “The Pacifica is a thoughtfully designed, comfortable family van, and its eager driving dynamics are the icing on the cake.”

GoodCarBadCar reported that minivan sales have “trended downwards for the last several years.” Consumers who lost interest in the people haulers opted for the increasingly popular SUVs/crossovers instead. 2019 saw a 15 percent decrease in minivan sales compared to the previous year.

Last year, the Chrysler Pacifica dominated the minivan market, selling 93,803 units. The Honda Odyssey was the only brand to come close to those numbers, with 2020 sales of 83,409 units.

The other major brands sold less than half of the Pacifica’s sales, with Toyota moving just 42,885 Siennas. Once the most popular minivans of its time, the Dodge Caravan experienced 38,765 sales. The Kia Sedona saw a mere 13,190 units sold, perhaps due to the news that the all-new 2022 Kia Carnival would arrive and give even the Pacifica a run for its money.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is all about family

U.S. News ranks the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivan first in its class, with the gas-powered version taking second place. Both models offer a vast array of features, offering a smooth ride and poised handling.

The refreshed interior is new for 2021, along with impressive exterior styling. An updated infotainment system and improved driver assistance aids are also new for this year’s model. And a rear-seat entertainment system, interior camera, and built-in vacuum make the Pacifica a worthwhile family-friendly option.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica earned an overall 8.6 out of 10 from U.S. News, naming it a finalist for the 2021 Best Minivan for Families award. U.S. News said the Pacifica “has almost everything you could want in a family vehicle, from a gentle ride, a capable engine, and thrifty mpg estimates, to a versatile cargo hold.”