Text by Tom Appel
2027 Chrysler Pacifica Limited AWD
Class: Minivan
Country of manufacture:Canada
Seating capacity: 7
Color: Bright White
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 287-horsepower 3.6-liter |
| Engine Type | V6 |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles Driven: 103
Observed fuel economy: 19.3 mpg
Driving mix: 70% city, 30% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/25/20 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $50,990 (not including $1995 (destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Safety Sphere ($395), S Appearance Package ($1795)
Price as tested (2025): $55,175
Audio-System Brand
Alpine
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Refined drive experience, classy cabin
The good: Ample Power, decent fuel economy
The not so good: Optional AWD pricey
Review
There is a revolution underway, and it has little to do with national politics. After years of ceding market share to midsize crossovers, the minivan is making a comeback, and for all of the right reasons.
First Minivans
Chrysler changed the automotive landscape in 1984 when it rolled out the first Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. These “mini” vans redefined family transportation, wooing folks with smart, space-efficient cabins, decent fuel economy, and reasonable prices—and 42 years later, it’s happening again.
Minivan Segment
Through the years, more than 30 separate minivan models were sold in the U.S., many of which you likely don’t recall. You can check them all out here. Today, just four models are offered for sale. They are:
-
2027 Chrysler Pacifica Limited in Bright White with S Appearance Package Chrysler Pacifica (available with AWD)
- Honda Odyssey
- Kia Carnival (available hybrid)
- Toyota Sienna (standard hybrid, available AWD)
Minivan Sales Peak
Minivan sales peaked in 2000, when nearly 1.3 million examples found homes in the U.S. Sales dropped as low as 306,000 units in 2023, and were even lower in pandemic skewed 2022.
But, blame rising new-vehicle prices—and more recently increasing gas prices—consumer interest in the tried-and-true minivan has been piqued, suggesting that new-car shoppers are doing their homework.
The Minivan Strikes Back
Of interest to savvy consumers: minivans as a category return significantly better fuel economy than do midsize crossovers. While the crossovers are good for an average 19.6 mpg, minivans return 26.5. That number is bolstered, to a large degree, by the hybrid vans offered by Kia and Toyota.
Minivan Prices
Minivan transaction prices are also lower than those of midsize crossovers. Per Cox Automotive, the average new minivan was sold for just over $49,000 in August, about $1300 less than the average crossover.
Minivans Advantages
And, minivans serve up more passenger and cargo space than do midsize crossovers. While this has always been the case, we suspect that inflation and rising new-car prices have shocked many car shoppers back into a state of practicality that hasn’t been seen in a while.
Strong 2026 Sales
Through the first half of 2026, minivan sales clocked in at 208,000, up about 6 percent from the first half of 2025.
Leading the sales charge is the updated 2027 Chrysler (on sale since May), which has seen sales improve 16 percent in the first half of 2026 versus the same period in 2025. Seems customers have responded favorably to the freshened van.
Pacifica Updates for 2027
The 2027 Pacifica refresh focused mainly on exterior styling, some new features, package flexibility, and value pricing. It is not a full redesign—the underlying platform, powertrain, and core features (including Stow ’n Go seating) carry over.
Updates for 2027 include:
Exterior
-
2027 Chrysler Pacifica Limited in Bright White with S Appearance Package New illuminated “piano keys” grille design
- Updated illuminated Chrysler wing badge
- Cleaner fascia treatment
- New wheel Designs
- New exterior colors, including Ember, Glass Gray, Olive Green, and Steel Blue)
Interior
- New available premium Blue Agave Nappa leather on topline Pinnacle trim
- Increased availability of Uconnect Family Tech Package
Powertrain
- Plug-in hybrid dropped for 2027
Safety
- Upgraded “Safety Sphere,” which now includes turn-signal activated blind-spot view
Availability
-
2027 Chrysler Pacifica Limited in Bright White with S Appearance Package Separate Voyager model, popular with fleet buyers, discontinued for 2027, replaced by new entry-level Pacifica LX trim level
Prices and Trim Levels
And as for affordability, most Pacifica trim levels decrease in price slightly for 2027. Here’s a looking at the ’27 Pacifica lineup:
- LX: $43,590 (up $200 as replacement for discontinued Voyager)
- Select: $46,440 (down $200)
- Limited: $50,090 (down $510)
- Pinnacle $56,905 (down $1185)
At each price point, excluding the base LX, AWD can be had for an additional $2995. The LX is available only with front-wheel drive. Note also, that the new LX has not been updated for 2027, and carries over from the 2026 Voyager with previous-generation styling.
Engines
As noted earlier, Chrysler has dropped the Pacifica Hybrid for 2027, offering only a 3.6-liter V6 engine and 9-speed automatic as the only drivetrain.
Goodbye Hybrid
Though we lament the departure of the hybrid, the plug-in system added considerably to the cost of the Pacifica, and required regular charging to defray the purchase price. We suspect most owners were not especially diligent about charging—making the standard V6 the better choice in most cases.
So, is the updated 2027 Pacifica a better minivan? Let’s have a look…
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of an AWD 2027 Chrysler Pacifica Limited in Bright White. Including the destination charge, our test car came to $55,175.
Room and Comfort
As is the case with other minivans, the Pacifica’s front doors open wide for easy front-row cabin access. The step in is easy for most folks, though the height challenged may want to employ the pillar-mounted handle thoughtfully mounted on the passenger-side A-pillar.
Connectivity
Front-row space is generous, and even the largest drivers will find a comfortable seating passenger. Though updated, the Pacifica’s control layout is unchanged, which is fine as Chrysler’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system is easy to use and generally trouble free. We found the touchscreen easy to read—even in bright light—and the screen quick to respond to touch inputs.
Stow ‘n Go
Access to 2nd-row seating is via sliding side doors, which make loading and unloading cargo or youngster a generally painless affair. Chrysler’s now ubiquitous Stow ‘n Go seating, which creates a completely flat load floor, is still the benchmark for minivan stuff-hauling convenience, though this author’s wife found collapsing the 2nd-row seats into the floor required considerable upper-body strength. Nonetheless, she prevailed.
The 3rd-row is medium-adult friendly and reasonable easy to access. And, per Chrysler, there’s more than 30 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats.
Cabin Updates
Chrysler’s cabin updates for 2027, admittedly minimal, do go some distance to cementing the Pacifica’s position as the most luxurious vehicle in the class. Indeed, the van’s vast interior is lined with commendably upscale materials, and appears well assembled.
The van’s generous glass area alleviates some of the fatigue that comes with long-drives, as do seats—at least in the forward two rows—that are both comfortable and supportive.
Power and Performance
Though the Pacifica’s V6 seems a little old-school compared to the hybrids available in the Kia and Toyota vans, it is nearly perfect in this application. The largish six delivers ample smooth power, and is quiet going about its business, while the 9-speed automatic shifts with refined precision.
Fuel Economy
In routine driving with an urban bias, we averaged just over 19 mpg. Expect better results with more highway operation.
Value
Chryslers admits to no tweaks to the Pacifica that might affect quietness or ride quality. Yet, we found our 2027 edition of the maker’s minivan to be among the best-isolated, smoothest-riding vehicles—not just minivans—we have ever evaluated. Not that we weren’t similarly impressed by the previous generation Pacifica, only that the latest example comes off as even more refined.
In a class of just four vehicles, each of which boasts compelling competitive features, the Pacifica still leads the class in passenger/cargo utility, and premium feel. Funny that a redesigned front-end can attract so much customer attention, as Pacifica has the basics covered, and has for years. It’s all part of the revolution.
2027 Chrysler Pacifica Limited in Bright White with S Appearance PackageListen to the Car Stuff Podcast
2027 Chrysler Pacifica Limited
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