2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Engine Type

The sole engine powering all three 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid trims is a 3.6-liter V6 eHybrid engine. Because the Pacifica Hybrid is actually a plug-in hybrid, also known as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), this minivan can be driven on only its 16 kWh lithium-ion battery or only on the 3.6L engine, or on both, its battery and 3.6-liter V6 internal combustion engine (ICE). That offers consumers a choice that will not only affect their total driving range, but also their monthly budget.

Designed with regenerative braking, a process that redirects energy expended when braking to a generator that recharges the onboard battery, the MPGe, or miles-per-gallon equivalent for a hybrid vehicle, stands at 84 MPGe, but may be extended thanks to the regenerative braking process. When the Pacifica Hybrid is powered only by its battery, the Pacifica can travel up to 33 miles, and that means the vehicle can travel 33 miles without releasing a single emission. When the Pacifica Hybrid is driven using the electric motor and ICE, the total driving range stands at 566 miles.

Charging

Technically, there are three ways consumers can charge their 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The most popular may be simply plugging into a 120-volt outlet, the same any consumer can plug an electrical appliance into. For a faster charge up in as little as two hours, consumers can opt-in for an available 240-volt Level II charger installation for use at home. One should note that most PHEVs charge to 80 percent in 30 mins to an hour and the final 20 percent is what can take the longest, so configure your needs wisely.

The third choice for charging up is at public charging stations, which are popping up across the nation. Here in South Florida, business for charging stations is booming, and nearly every major city in the area has opened multiple electric charging stations in the past year. Supermarkets and plazas are also opening “reserved for alternative fuel vehicle” spots. If ever in doubt, check out the online app plugshare.com for a guide to local charging stations in the area.

Exterior Features

The style for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is just as good as its ICE variant last year. With only three trims, consumers can expect many features to be shared across the lineup. Standard features for the exterior include automatic on/off headlamps, heated exterior mirrors, premium fog lamps, LED taillamps and daytime running headlamps, power sliding doors on the driver and passenger side with fixed glass, and laminated front door glass to minimize interior noise levels and interference from noise outside the vehicle such as wind.

Features available for select trims come in categories for convenience and others for simple luxury. For instance, a chrome Stow ‘n Place roof rack isn’t necessary unless constantly piling on cargo when travelling, and a power liftgate, although helpful, isn’t a deal breaker – standard on the Hybrid Touring L and Hybrid Limited, optional on the Hybrid Touring. Other optional features, like rear and front splash guards are available options. The standard wheels for the Pacifica Hybrid Touring and Touring L are 17-inch aluminum wheels; the Pacifica Hybrid Limited gets 17-inch polished aluminum wheels (optional for Touring L), but consumers have the option to upgrade to 18-inch polished aluminum wheels.

Interior Features

The main changes consumers will notice between the Chrysler Pacifica and the Pacifica Hybrid is (1) the second-row Stow ‘n Go seating in the Pacifica Hybrid variant has been removed to make space for the battery pack for the electric motor, and (2) the seats in the second row are only available as captain’s chairs so there is only seating capacity for up to seven passengers. Like the non-hybrid Pacifica, the third-row bench is still a 60/40 split that can be folded into the Stow ‘n Go floor storage compartments to open up flat cargo space, and the easy entry second row slide is a lineup standard.

Other standard features include triple-zone automatic climate control, an acoustic windshield, keyless enter-n-go, a power 8-way driver seat, remote keyless entry for all doors, sunscreen glass, and more. Available features found in select trims consist of leather upholstery, ventilated and heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, KeySense technology (optional on the Pacifica Hybrid Touring Plus and Hybrid Touring L, standard on the Pacifica Hybrid Limited), and a remote start system. Most of these available features are found on the Pacifica Hybrid Touring L and Limited trims for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

Entertainment

In the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, a six-speaker system is standard for the Hybrid Touring Plus and Touring L trims. The Hybrid Limited gets a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio sound system and 3-channel wireless headphones. An 8.4-inch touchscreen is the lineup standard, and all trims have Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, HD Radio, steering wheel mounted audio controls, and Bluetooth with voice command.

The Pacifica Hybrid Touring Plus and Pacifica Hybrid Touring L come with Uconnect 4 and have the option of adding an Overhead DVD player by Mopar for rear seat passengers viewing pleasure. The Pacifica Hybrid Limited comes standard with seat back video screens, Uconnect 4C with navigation, Uconnect Theatre with wireless streaming, and a Blu-Ray/DVD player. SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link are optional for the Pacifica Hybrid Touring Plus trim, and are standard for the Pacifica Hybrid Limited trim.

Safety Features and Warranty

The standard features one would want for safety are all there, including advanced multistage front airbags, a drivers knee airbag and a passengers knee airbag, supplemental front seat mounted side and side-curtain airbags, a ParkView backup camera, an occupant classification system, a pedestrian warning speaker, a LATCH ready child seat anchor system, and a security alarm. Available advanced safety features consist of a 360-degree surround view camera system, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind spot monitoring and rear cross path detection, full speed warning with collision warning plus, lane departure warning plus, and ParkSense with rear park assist with stop. A Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System is standard on Touring Plus and Touring L, a security alarm is on all Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Trims.

Each Chrysler Pacifica is backed by a 3-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, and a 5-year or 60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. The battery in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has a 10-year/150,000-mile limited warranty or a 10-year/100,000-mile limited warranty, which varies from state-to-state.