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2018 Chrysler Pacifica review

Research, photos, specs and expertise
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Chrysler Pacifica highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Upscale interior and stylish exterior buck the minivan norm
  • Lots of convenience features

Cons

  • Interior space, while generous, isn't quite as accommodating as the class best
  • Sometimes hesitant nine-speed automatic transmission

Mileage (EPA estimate)

18 city, 28 highway, 22 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

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Price
Year

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan with style

The Pacifica can cleverly morph from a comfortable ferry for up to eight people into a two-seat van that'll fit drywall sheets for even the most ambitious home remodeler. Seven-passenger seating is standard, with an eight-seat configuration an option from the LX trim and above. Dubbed Stow 'n Go®, those second- and third-row seats can fold into and under the floor, unlike those of competitors such as the Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey. The cabin has plenty of useful storage spaces, and Chrysler's touchscreen entertainment system is among the easiest to use. Two powertrain options are available: a 3.6-liter V6 or a plug-in hybrid, which adds a battery and electric motor to a version of the V6 and allows some local, electric-only driving. All have an automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

To drive, it's comfortable and capable rather than engaging or exciting, but that's not a complaint. The five trim levels start with the L, which covers the basics but comes without the useful Stow 'n Go® second-row capability. So that's why we'd suggest the LX as the entry point to the range—it gains not just those collapsible seats but adds body-colored exterior trim, alloy wheels, and a power driver's seat. Then there's the Touring Plus, Touring L, Touring L Plus, and the top-of-the-line Limited, with a number of options including upgraded audio and safety equipment. The Pacifica is a useful minivan, but its appeal goes beyond just its practicality. It’s well worth checking out if you're in the market for space and style.

All Chrysler Pacifica years

What is new for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?

  • The Pacifica is available in a variety of new trims, including the L and Touring L Plus.
  • The Touring L-Plus trim has been discontinued for 2018.
  • Pacifica trims have been upgraded with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and CD Audio as standard equipment this year.
  • The Touring trim now comes with Parking Sensors and Blind Spot Monitor as standard equipment.
  • The Touring Plus trim now comes with Parking Sensors, Blind Spot Monitor, and Remote Start as standard equipment.
  • The LX trim now comes with Parking Sensors and Blind Spot Monitor as standard equipment.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica trims

Curious how Chrysler Pacifica trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities
  • L: Features 17-inch steel wheels, keyless ignition, height-adjustable driver seat, 60/40-split folding third-row seat, seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth®, six-speaker audio system, rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, and more.

  • LX: Adds alloy wheels, body-colored exterior trim, automatic engine stop-start system, eight-way power driver seat, tri-zone climate control, second-row Stow 'n Go seats, and more.

  • Touring Plus: Adds automatic headlights, chrome exterior trim, remote engine start, power-sliding rear doors, power liftgate, automatic climate control, and more.

  • Touring L: Adds heated front seats, leather upholstery, rear-seating retractable sunshades, and more.

  • Touring L Plus: Adds sound-reducing windshield, panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, ambient interior lighting, navigation, and more.

  • Limited: Adds xenon headlamps, LED fog lights, driver-seat memory settings, ventilated front seats, premium leather upholstery, hands-free liftgate, hands-free sliding rear doors, power-folding third-row seat, and more.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid trims

  • Hybrid Touring Plus: Features automatic headlights, LED taillights, keyless entry and ignition, tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, rearview camera, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and more.

  • Hybrid Touring L: Adds power liftgate, roof rails, remote engine start, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and more.

  • Hybrid Limited: adds automatic high beam control, chrome trim, and hands-free sliding doors and liftgate, adaptive cruise control, heated steering wheel, automated parallel parking, navigation, 20-speaker Harman Kardon® premium audio system, and more.

Chrysler Pacifica photos

5 reasons to buy the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica

1. Stow 'n Go® seating

2018 Chrysler Pacifica: Cargo Space | CarMax

Versatile seating doesn't get much better than this. Chrysler's exclusive Stow 'n Go rear row seating is invaluable; especially when your daily planner is filled with little league game days, garage decluttering, and those never-ending household errands. With seating that stows away directly into underfloor bins, you've got fast and easy access to the extra storage space you need.

2. A hybrid powertrain option

2018 Chrysler Pacifica: Engine | CarMax

With so many minivan journeys made relatively close to home each day, a hybrid powertrain that delivers electric-only miles makes a lot of sense. The 2018 seven-seat Pacifica Hybrid is powered by a 3.6L V6 gas engine, dual electric motors, and a 16-kWh onboard battery.

If your daily driving only includes short commutes, perhaps the school run and then onto work or errands nearby, the Hybrid Pacifica, with its EPA-estimated 33 miles of all-electric driving range (on a full charge), could mean visits to the gas station are a rare novelty.

3. A passenger pleasing package

2018 Chrysler Pacifica: Passenger Entertainment | CarMax

If you'd like to treat yourself or your family to something extra special, why not pick a Pacifica that's fitted out with an entertainment package. For movie-mad youngsters and grandparents that love the classics, the Touring-L Plus and Hybrid Limited trims are equipped with a Uconnect® theater package. It includes two 10-inch seatback touchscreens, wireless headphones, video remote control, and a Blu-ray®/DVD player. Your driver duties just got easier (and quieter).

4. Easy in, easy out doors

2018 Chrysler Pacifica: Power-sliding Doors | CarMax

Weekday mornings can be the most hectic time of day for big families with young children. From the Touring Plus trim upwards, the Pacifica (and Pacifica Hybrid) is equipped with power-sliding rear doors. These help ensure parents and guardians have got plenty of space around them to install child seats, settle infants, and attend to little ones. These repetitive daily actions are so much easier when you're not bending, reaching, or crouching, to achieve family harmony.

5. Useful driver-assistance features

2018 Chrysler Pacifica: Dashboard | CarMax

The Pacifica has a bumper roster of driver assistance features, many of which are standard, no matter the trim or powertrain. But it's in the everyday maneuvers where these features really show their value. If you find yourself constantly pulling into, and out of parking lots, then you'll appreciate the audible chimes of the Pacifica's ParkSense® Rear Park Assist sensors, alerting you to close up obstructions.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Image of Honda Odyssey

The long-serving Honda Odyssey is a spacious minivan that has the functionality to grow with you. The 2018–2020 Odyssey seats up to eight and is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine with standard front-wheel drive across all trim levels.

Cargo space is generous, with 38.6 cu-ft of fixed storage behind the third row, while second-row seating tumbles forward for easy school drop-offs.

The 2018–2020 Honda Odyssey seven-seat LX trim features:

  • Rearview camera

  • Automatic climate control

  • Seven-speaker sound system

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan that has a lot of space for passengers and gear. Customers like the power folding seats in the back, the removable second row middle seat, and the large display for the back-up camera and navigation.
4
1
2
Excellent

RepairPal gave the Chrysler Pacifica an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Chrysler Pacifica 1st out of 14 among Minivans.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Chrysler Pacifica

Chrysler Pacifica features and specs

L 2WD 4D Pass Van

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cloth Seats
  • Cruise Control
  • Fold-Away Third Row
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Third Row Seat
  • Traction Control
  • Air Conditioning
  • Cloth Seats
  • Fold-Away Middle Row
  • Rear Air Conditioning
  • Rear Entertainment System
  • Running Boards
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Tow Hitch

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

3.6L

Horsepower

287

Torque (ft-lbs)

262

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

19

Wheelbase

121.6"

Overall length

203.6"

Width

79.6"

Height

69.9"

Leg room

F 41.1"/M 39"/R 36.5"

Head room

F 40.1"/M 39.6"/R 38.7"

Front tires

P235/65HR17

Rear tires

P235/65HR17

Seating capacity

7

Max towing capacity

360/3600 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2018 Chrysler Pacifica FAQ

More about the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica

Color options

2018 Chrysler Pacifica: Color Options | CarMax

Exterior colors:

  • Billet Silver Metallic

  • Bright White

  • Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat

  • Copper Pearl Coat

  • Dark Cordovan Pearl Coat

  • Granite Crystal Metallic

  • Jazz Blue Pearl Coat

  • Molten Silver

  • Ocean Blue Metallic

  • Velvet Red Pearl Coat

Interior colors:

  • Alloy

  • Alloy/Toffee

  • Black

  • Deep Mocha

  • Toffee

Interior details

The 2018 Pacifica's spacious interior makes a big impact, with plenty of versatility across the rear rows and cargo area. Premium cloth and leather upholstery are offered in deep muted shades that suit the thrills (and spills) of family life.

The Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid boast third-row Stow 'n Go seats that conveniently fold down into the cargo floor bins, an ideal solution for groups that like to spread out or travel with lots of luggage. The non-hybrid Pacifica also has second-row outboard Stow 'n Go seats. Should you need it, you've got up to 140.5 cu-ft of cargo space behind the front row. Small-item storage and cup holders are plentiful, including floor bins and a lockable glove box.

Child seat details

The 2018 seven-seat Pacifica has four full sets of LATCH restraints (upper tether and lower anchors), two in the second row, and two in the third row. The eight-seat models raise that to five, with the additional second-row middle seat adding another set of LATCH points.

The Pacifica's third row can seat three passengers, however, the position of the lower LATCH restraints means it can only accommodate two child seats. The Pacifica can comfortably fit all types of child seats, with the sliding rear doors making it easier for caregivers to take time with installing seats and getting young ones settled.

Performance

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica has one engine option, a 287-hp 3.6L V6 paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive. The Pacifica Hybrid takes the same 3.6L V6 engine and pairs it to dual electric motors and a 16-kWh battery pack. When new, a fully-charged Pacifica Hybrid can achieve an EPA-estimated 33 miles of all-electric driving range, before the gas tank kicks in.

The standard gasoline-powered Pacifica with front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined.

Year comparison

2017–Present Chrysler Pacifica (First Generation)

Launched in 2017, the Chrysler Pacifica heralded a new era for the modern minivan. In 2018, the gas-powertrain models get a new base trim (L) and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity became standard across all trims.

The 2020 model year saw two big changes. The entry-level Pacifica trims (L, LX) get their own nameplate, the Chrysler Voyager, while all-wheel drive becomes an option on the gas-powered Pacifica for the first time.

A refreshed Pacifica for 2021 has new styling cues for the exterior and interior, while a new range-topping trim (Pinnacle) includes features such as rear-seat entertainment with wireless headphones and an interior camera monitor.

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