No, there’s still nothing cool about minivans. They are, however, great at many things, including being practical, comfortable, and family-friendly. The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid does all that, all while adding a hybrid electric powertrain, allowing you to reinforce your gas consumption with a little electric muscle.
That’s right, Chrysler just turned their popular Pacifica minivan into a gas-electric hybrid, so you can take the kids to soccer practice (or footgolf, whichever the case may be), pick up groceries with the family, or drive to the grandparents over the weekend on an eco-friendlier ride. Simply put, it’s the kind of car that can really bring plug-in hybrids into the mainstream, considering how many families rely on affordable minivans as their go-to rides.
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica has a combined range of 530 miles – it travels the first 30 miles on the electric motor before the gas engine takes over for the next 500. That means, if you plug in every night, there’s a good chance you’ll use up very little gas (considering the average person drives less than 30 miles per day), to the point that Chrysler believes some people will likely go months without visiting a gas station.
It uses the van’s floor to hide the battery array, by the way, which gives it a low center of gravity, although it removed the ability to fold away the second row back seats (you’ll have to physically remove them if you want to transport furniture). Features include three rows of seating to fit up to seven passengers, an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and the usual comfort features you’ll find in family-oriented vehicles.
Pricing for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica starts at $34,500 (after a $7,500 federal credit).
