By: Krish Persaud
November 15, 2022
Before discussing our weeklong test vehicle, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Touring-L AWD, we must first ask where do most people look when they need more space for their expanding family? Most people will look at the Stellantis and Chrysler lineup to fill the position of the family hauler. Giving people what they want at a reasonable price is something Stellantis North America excels at.
For a competitively priced minivan that can comfortably seat seven people and hold all the precious cargo required for daily activities, Stellantis and the Chrysler brand have established themselves as the go-to option.
The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica (refreshed in 2021) has been on the market since 2017, and at one point competed with its own older sibling, the fifth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan, which was manufactured from 2008 to 2020 with minimal exterior updates.
The Pacifica was an elegant upgrade to the Grand Caravan, which did not prevent people from purchasing it until its last day of production. However, with the Grand Caravan no longer in production, the Pacifica is now the preferable alternative. Comparing the 2022 Pacifica to competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna (Reviewed Here), it is clear that it is up for the challenge.
We contacted Stellantis, and they graciously provided us with seat time in the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Touring-L AWD with the ‘S’ Appearance Package.
Both the gas and gas-hybrid versions of the Pacifica utilize the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine. The Pacifica is available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive for the gas-only configuration, but only front-wheel-drive for the gas-hybrid configuration. During our evaluation period, we had the gas-only model equipped with a silky-smooth Pentastar V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive, which produced 287 horsepower at 6400RPM and 262 lb-ft of torque at 4000RPM.
In excess of our expectations, highway on-ramps pose no difficulty as the vehicle accelerates quickly and effortlessly. Passing is not a problem, and the engine and the nine-speed automatic transmission provide buttery smooth shifts.
2022 Chrysler Pacifica fuel economy ratings are 14.1L/100km city, 9.4L/100km highway, and 12.0L/100km combined. During our testing period, we achieved a respectable 10.8L/100km combined while only operating the Pacifica in its intended manner (not as a sports car). The 71.9-litre fuel tank reduces the need for frequent stops for fuel and, thankfully, only uses 87-octane fuel.
The suspension of the Pacifica absorbs road impurities with little disruption to your comfort, giving the vehicle a pillow-soft ride quality. The optional 20-inch alloy wheels with 245/50/R 20 tires were gorgeous and didn’t significantly reduce ride comfort. However, the third row does feel a little stiff, and eventually, the passengers will request a stretch break. The front seating, along with the second row, had good padding and side bolstering. We enjoyed the weighted steering because it seemed to communicate clearly during our week of varying driving conditions.
One of the best in the industry, the fifth generation UConnect is controlled by a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system starts up quickly, and the screen’s high resolution is something you’ll appreciate. The Uconnect theatre family group, which adds two 10-inch screens with built-in Amazon-Fire TV for the rear passengers, was installed in our Pacifica test vehicle. We have no complaints about the Alpine-powered 13-speaker sound system, which does a great job of providing you with a great balance of high, mid, and low frequencies. The USB port makes it incredibly easy to integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and we are pleased to see a volume knob.
Available in a variety of trim levels, the base Touring is $53,690, while our tester’s mid-level Touring-L with all-wheel drive and the “S” Appearance Package has an as-tested cost of $62,375. A fully equipped Pinnacle trim level can cost up to $72,925. There is a $5,000 government rebate available if you decide on the plug-in hybrid option.
With its high-resolution 360-degree surround-view camera and Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Touring-L AWD is incredibly simple to maneuver through any type of parking situation. It also doesn’t feel particularly large in any circumstances. You’ll appreciate the Stow ‘n Vac integrated vacuum, the FamCam Interior Camera, the rear entertainment screens to keep the rear passengers quiet, and the available 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. With all the safety features that are included as standard equipment, you can drive with confidence and peace of mind.
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