Chrysler Pacifica is family hauler that earns its keep
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In a world of three-row SUVs competing for family-car dollars, the minivan has stubbornly refused to die.
The 2026 Chrysler Pacifica is a big reason why, with equal parts practical and polished. This year’s Pacifica continues to make a strong case that sliding doors and a low step-in height can beat a lifted tailgate when you’re wrangling kids and cargo.
All three 2026 Chrysler Pacifica trims are powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Gas models pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission and are available in either front- or all-wheel drive that delivers 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with front wheel drive.
For families with an eye on fuel costs and environmental impact, a plug-in hybrid version also is available.
The Pacifica’s single biggest differentiator remains its class-exclusive Stow ‘n’ Go seating system. It’s the only minivan with Stow ‘n’ Go seating, which allows all of the back seats to fold flat into the floor. With the rear two rows folded down, maximum cargo capacity reaches 140.5 cubic feet. No competing minivan can match that kind of instant transformation from family shuttle to cargo van.
The cabin experience varies meaningfully by trim level. The entry-level Select trim comes with Caprice leatherette seating, heated front seats, and a Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Higher trim levels add ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat.
Sound system options are generous: buyers can choose between a standard six-speaker setup, a 13-speaker Alpine system with a 506-watt amplifier, or a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system with subwoofer and a 760-watt amplifier. For rear-seat passengers, an available rear-seat entertainment system includes dual touchscreens and wireless headsets.
Standard driver assistance features include automatic emergency braking for both pedestrians and vehicles, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go support, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic braking, lane departure warning, and a rear backup camera. An available FamCAM interior camera lets drivers monitor rear-seat passengers from the front. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awards the Pacifica its top 5-Star overall crash test rating.
The 2026 model year brings a special 100th Anniversary Edition to the Pacifica lineup, featuring unique branding, polished wheels and exterior trim, so look for that one.
The 2026 Chrysler Pacifica has a starting sticker price of between $42,000 and $59,000, combining seating flexibility, available all-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid capability and some luxury appointments. For families who need a vehicle that can truly do it all, the Pacifica remains one of the most thoughtfully engineered choices on the market.
Give it a spin and tell me what you think.
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