Between games, doctor’s appointments, and trying to get to work on time, sometimes we all just need a vehicle that can get from point A to point B. All the extra gadgets are great, but they’re worthless when you have a vehicle that won’t run. That’s where the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid comes in.

With so few minivans to choose from, the Pacifica Hybrid tends to stand out, and it’s actually a rather good vehicle. It’s not as awe-inspiring as the Jeep Wrangler or the Ford F-150, but Kelley Blue Book thinks the Pacifica Hybrid can get the job done.

What is the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid?

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is one of the last standing minivans. It has survived multiple cuts from other automakers who have decided to focus on trucks and SUVs. For parents who have growing families, and don’t want an SUV, the Pacifica Hybrid is a great choice. Also, if you’re just looking for the most efficient way to move things or people, you should consider the Pacifica Hybrid.

It starts around $39,995, which isn’t bad for a hybrid. Then when you take the $7,500 federal tax credit from the MSRP, you’re looking at a price closer to $32,495. You also save money at the pump thanks to the 82 MPGe and 30 MPG combined electric and gasoline power.

It’s more powerful than you might think

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid isn’t an incredibly powerful vehicle. If you want to go off-roading, that’s not going to happen in a minivan. That being said, it’s got a lot of “get up and go” for a minivan, and it gets some incredible gas mileage. 

According to Kelley Blue Book, “The Pacifica Hybrid combines FCA’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with dual electric motors, one of which delivers an estimated 84 kW while the other generates 63 kW. Chrysler pegs total system output at 260 horsepower, which is down 27 ponies versus the conventional powertrain offered in the Pacifica. Yet the Pacifica Hybrid certainly doesn’t feel underpowered, overtaking on the highway like a sports sedan while delivering real-world fuel economy of about 35 miles per gallon in combined use.”

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid also includes some pretty stellar standard features. In the base Touring trim, you get a powered tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, power-sliding side doors, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. For those who fear they have to give up tech options when they choose to go with a van, this is great news. 

This Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is on fire

Now that we’ve told you the good news about the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, it’s time to share the bad. A lot of models have been catching on fire, and we aren’t talking figuratively. 

The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica is at risk of catching on fire thanks to a 12-volt battery behind the driver’s seat. So far, there have only been 10 fires that have broken out, and only one minor injury was sustained, but some might argue that’s still too many.

Chrysler has issued a recall, so if you have a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, it’s imperative that you get this checked out. It’s important to note that it’s only the hybrid model that is having an issue. The Chrysler Pacifica that runs solely on gasoline isn’t having this issue.

The 2017 and 2018 Pacifica Hybrid models have also been catching on fire, but this is due to a problem with the fuel system. When unburned fuel was pumped into the catalytic converter it had the potential to ignite and catch on fire. The experts believe this would happen when the gas engine took over but didn’t start properly.

For parents or anyone who needs a good minivan to haul things, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is perfect. That being said, given some of the many problems surrounding the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, it might be a good idea to evaluate how bad you really want it.

For the same price, there are plenty of other great vehicles out there that you can purchase. Hopefully, Chrysler will figure out some of the problems facing the Pacifica Hybrid and get them fixed because it really could be a great minivan.