When you’re shopping for a new family vehicle in Richmond or Ashland, you have a large selection to choose from. So how do you know which are the best family vehicles? Consider the size of your family and your needs. Would an SUV or a minivan work better? If a van is the right choice for your family, the best minivan available is the Chrysler Pacifica. Learn more about what this Chrysler minivan offers families and why it’s ranked “best minivan for families” by several top publications.
There are three Chrysler Pacifica minivan models. The ront-wheel drive (FWD) and the all-wheel drive (AWD) Chrysler Pacifica run on gas. The Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) runs on a combination of gas and electric power.
The FWD gas model of the Chrysler Pacifica starts at $42,450, and the AWD model starts at $45,445. The gas-powered Chrysler minivan is available in three trim levels: Select, Pinnable, and Limited.
The Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid starts at $51,055 MSRP and is also available in three trim levels: Plug-In Hybrid Select, Plug-In Hybrid S Appearance, and Plug-In Hybrid Pinnacle.
All models of this Chrysler minivan come with a 36-month or 36,0000-mile basic warranty, a 60-month or 60,0000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 60-month or 60,0000-mile roadside assistance warranty.
As one of the best family vehicles on the market, this Chrysler minivan has received numerous awards and recognition since its debut in 2016. Critics and families alike praise the Chrysler Pacifica for its family friendliness, convenience, technology, and safety features. Take a look at some of the awards this family minivan has recently received.
The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Texas Auto Roundup named the Chrysler Pacifica the Best Minivan of 2024 for the 8th consecutive year. It earned this award based on its value, performance, interior and exterior features, and overall appeal.
The U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Cars for Families Awards named the Chrysler Pacifica the Best Minivan for Families. This Chrysler minivan ranked #1 thanks to its family-friendly features, excellent safety features, sizable interior, and class-exclusive features like Stow ‘n Go seating. The publication ranks the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as the #1 best minivan for this year.
The PARENTS 2024 Best Family Cars Awards also named the Chrysler Pacifica the Best Minivan for Families. This review notes that the “Pacifica carries some of the best family technology on the market”. It also notes that “this is the most stylish minivan ever, with a look and feel that’s at home on both the soccer field and a 5-star valet”.
One of the most important considerations when purchasing a family vehicle is safety. One of the reasons the Chrysler Pacifica is the best minivan for families is that it received high safety ratings and offers the standard and available safety features parents are looking for.
The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick. The 2025 Chrysler Pacifica FWD, Chrysler Pacifica AWD, and Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid all received 5-Star Overall Safety Ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Some of the most important standard vehicle safety features that give parents peace of mind include:
The Chrysler Pacifica interior is designed with families in mind. We’d expect nothing less from the best minivan for families! It has room for seven or eight passengers on leatherette, leather, or Nappa leather seats.
Ample cargo space and Stow ‘n Go seating provides room for backpacks, sports or music equipment, gym bags, work bags, luggage, and more! When you need more storage, you can fold the Stow ‘n Go seats into the floor. When the seats are upright, you have additional storage via the floor bins.
Chrysler understands how important it is to keep an eye on your family. One of the reasons it’s the best minivan is that it offers an available FamCAM™. The split-screen view allows you to monitor both the second and third rows, and you can even see rear-facing car seats. It automatically transitions between day and night modes for the best possible view at all times.
Your family can enjoy watching the clouds or the stars with the available dual-pane panoramic sunroof. It has an express open-and-close feature and a power sunshade for when it’s too bright or warm.
With so many passengers enjoying snacks on the go, Chrysler’s innovative solutions include the available Stow ’n Vac® powered by RIDGID®. It features an integrated vacuum right in your family minivan to easily clean up crumbs and messes.
The Uconnect® 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen keeps you connected and entertained. You can access navigation, music, podcasts, Voice Command, and Alexa Built-in. To keep the kids occupied, there’s available rear-seat entertainment with Amazon Fire TV displayed on two seatback-mounted dual 10-inch HD touchscreens. For families that love listening to music or podcasts together, the available 20-speaker Harman Kardon® premium audio system is a must.
Chrysler even makes it easy to get into and out of their minivan. The available hands-free power sliding side doors. When your hands are full, all you have to do is swing your foot under the carriage. There’s an available hands-free power liftgate as well. Third-row passengers can enter and exit easily thanks to the Easy Tilt Seating. You simply lift the lever on the second-row seat to tilt it forward.
The gas-powered Chrysler Pacifica runs on a 3.6-liter V6 engine that’s paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg/city, 28 mpg/highway, and 22 mpg/combined. This Chrysler minivan model runs on regular unleaded gas.
Enjoy more family adventures camping or to the lake with the available Trailer Tow Group, which provides a best-in-class maximum towing capacity of 3,600 pounds.
The Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid is the first-ever hybrid minivan and delivers enhanced fuel efficiency and sustainability. It has a 32-mile all-electric range and a 520-mile total range. It gets an EPA-estimated 82 mpge. The battery gets its full charge by plugging it in. The use of regenerative braking technology also helps recharge the battery every time you brake or stop.
If you agree that the Chrysler Pacifica is the best minivan for your family, we invite you to explore our inventory online to see which FWD, AWD, or PHEV model works best for you. When you’re ready for the next step in car shopping, schedule a visit or simply stop by our Richmond or Ashland CDJR dealership showroom for a tour and a test drive of this Chrysler minivan. Contact us to get started!