Spotted: the Chrysler Pacifica in the Netherlands

MPV offerings have diminished considerably in Europe in recent years. Not so much because there is no longer a demand for large spacious cars, but MPVs had simply become so expensive that people then prefer to buy an SUV for the same money. So anyone buying an MPV today is actually making a distinctive choice. For some extra distinction, get that MPV from abroad or even from another continent. Then you see right away that MPVs really don’t have to be boring.

Surprise under the hood

In Amsterdam a while ago, AutoRAI.nl came across this 2018 Chysler Pacifica S, which has been registered in the Netherlands since 2020. We think such a Pacifica is a successful thing. Go figure: all the luxury you need, plenty of room for up to eight occupants or lots of luggage, and all in a very nice package. In addition, you also differentiate yourself from the mass of SUVs now driving around on Dutch roads. So we understand the owner of this Chrysler Pacifica.

Those not already familiar with the Chrysler Pacifica may be surprised by what lies under the hood. Not a modest four-cylinder, but a 3.6-liter V6! The engine is good for an output of 211 kW (287 hp). It is still the standard engine variant as well. So you are never short of power in the large MPV either.

The Chrysler Pacifica at a glance

The Chrysler Pacifica as seen here entered the market in 2016 for the 2017 model year. It has nothing to do with the 2003 crossover of the same name. However, the current Chrysler Pacifica is the successor to the Dodge Caravan and the more luxurious Chrysler Town & Country, which we have also known as the Chrysler Voyager with slightly less luxury here in Europe.

Broadly speaking, the Chrysler Pacifica picks up where the Voyager left off. Speaking of the predecessor, as of model year 2020, the two least luxurious versions of the Pacifica are again called Chrysler Voyager after all. For the 2021 model year, the Pacifica underwent an interim facelift, easily recognizable by the smaller headlights and cross-width taillights.

The more fuel-efficient option: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

With an official average consumption of about 11.0 l/100 km (according to the strict US EPA standard and depending on version), the V6 unfortunately does take a swallow. Fortunately, there has also been a plug-in hybrid version from the beginning, the Pacifica Hybrid. It still has that V6 on board, but combined with an electric motor.

Remarkably, you do lose a bit of power, as the system output is 191 kW (260 hp). Also still more than enough. Furthermore, the nine-speed automatic transmission in the Hybrid will be replaced by a CVT. The official average consumption of the Hybrid is 2.8 l/100 km (EPA), provided you charge it bravely. The EPA also tests what the average consumption is if you don’t: 7.4 l/100 km. So that still saves a lot compared to the non-hybrid. The official all-electric range is 53 kilometers.

Chrysler Pacifica in the Netherlands

By the way, we are not the only ones who like the Chrysler Pacifica. At the time of writing, there are still 190 on Dutch license plates. That while the car was never officially delivered here. A missed opportunity? Of course, the vast majority of Dutch Chrysler Pacifica’s are Hybrids. We have come across several copies of these as well. In the center of Amsterdam, for example, we saw this gray one from 2017 (in the Netherlands since 2019), and a bit longer ago at an import company, this beautiful dark blue one from 2020 was ready for a new owner. That owner has since been found, as the car is no longer listed on the company’s website.