Chrysler, long the minivan king, has a refreshed version of its Chrysler Pacifica coming in the second quarter of this year, and a next-generation version of the family hauler remains in the works. But until an all-new Pacifica arrives, questions abound about how the sole model in the Chrysler lineup will hold down the fort in the meantime.
The main question swirling around the Pacifica in the short and longer term is what exactly will power it. Parent company Stellantis recently announced a new powertrain strategy in which it’s phasing out plug-in hybrids in North America and phasing in extended-range electric vehicles where a gas engine acts as a generator for the battery and electric motor powering the vehicle. The first of these new EREVs are due later this year with the launch of the Ram 1500 REV full-size pickup truck and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer three-row SUV.
For now, the 2026 Pacifica remains available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain featuring Chrysler’s long-running Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 that essentially acts as a generator for a system featuring two electric motors and an electrically variable transmission that apportions power to the front wheels. It’s also capable of 32-miles of electric only range when its battery is fully charged. The Pacifica’s other powertrain option is a traditional gas version of the V-6, mated to a nine-speed automatic that’s available with front or all-wheel drive. Tim Kuniskis, head of American brands and North America marketing and retail strategy for Stellantis, confirmed to MotorTrend that the plug-in is going away soon.
How soon? Kuniskis picks his words carefully. The plug-in is gone “for the minivan we sell today. We may get to the new one and say it’s the same van and you don’t have it.” In short, he wouldn’t clarify what, if any, form of electrification to expect for the soon-to arrive refreshed model. A reveal with more details is coming soon, and Kuniskis said customers are going to be pleased.
One model that could please customers is a production version of its Pacifica Grizzly Peak concept (pictured above), a vehicle that tested the appetite for an adventuring minivan with all-wheel drive that could do some off-road things. There are indications that a version of it could go into production. At the least, most of its accessories are from Mopar, so you can create your own to pursue van life.
Next-Gen Minivan
Regardless of what happens with the updated model coming this year, MotorTrend has learned that there will be some form of electrification for the next-generation minivan, but we no longer expect a fully electric model. As a base powertrain, we’re betting on a mild hybrid option to replace the aging V-6 that would address the need for an affordable and efficient family hauler. And given the emerging Stellantis strategy, an extended-range hybrid would seem to be a perfect powertrain for family road trips. Offering both would be ideal.
But there’s one problem, the EREV technology Stellantis has now is rear-wheel-drive based for the Ram and Jeep body-on-frame vehicles. one that makes the most sense for large trucks and vans, according to Kuniskis. That doesn’t mean that you couldn’t someday fit one to a front-drive, unibody construction minivan, he added, noting in China there are EREVs in all kinds of vehicles.
“It is interesting technology,” Kuniskis told MotorTrend. “But we have not made any commitments about any kind of EREV technology on a Pacifica or anything other than what we have already said.”