The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan is the car that was missing in the market. If you want to purchase a large plug-in hybrid vehicle, you don’t have a lot of options. The Highlander and the Volvo XC90 T8 are some of the choices. However, the former offers hybrid, but not the plug-in, whereas the latter one is too expensive. The starting price of the Pacifica is $43,090 which is $25,705 less than Volvo. Moreover, the range is far better on Pacifica.
Powerplant, Electric Motors and Batteries
The car uses 16 kW/h battery pack which is good for 30 all-electric miles, meaning that you are getting more than enough for you to run errands around the town on a daily basis. Under the hood, you can find a 3.6-liter V6 gas engine, which provides another 500 miles. According to the EPA estimates, the car is rated at 80 mpg in the city. If necessary, the hybrid system would engage the gas engine and you as a driver don’t need to take any action.
The V6 unit is paired with two electric motors, one of which produces 90 kW and the other 65 kW. The gas power plant runs on Atkinson cycle, and it comes with new valves and pistons. The whole system produces 260 hp, and the petrol unit is combined with a dual-motor with electrically variable transmission. However, the torque figures are unknown. You can use one of the electric motors to start your car because the alternator is switched with a DC-to-DC converter.
You can use the regular outlet to recharge your batteries, and when the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is completely empty, it takes 14 hours to recharge to 100%. The Level 2 charger speeds up the process significantly, and you would spend only 2 hours charging the car.
If you drive too long without using any fuel, the car will detect this and prevent gas from becoming harmful to your engine due to its age. No worries, because the car will automatically switch to the gas engine in order to use it.
Platform and Weight Information
The Platinum trim Pacifica Hybrid is also offered, and it starts from $47,885. The carmaker did a great job because the electric mode is used as much as possible and the car only starts using the regular V6 if the vehicle is having a trouble of climbing a hill or in similar situations. The battery power allows the vehicle to travel at high speeds and although we are talking about the minivan, the category which is usually not that fun, but this one is different.
The 2017 Chrysler Hybrid minivan comes with new underpinnings. The platform has independent rear suspension, and the new car is wider compared to the last model. The automaker managed to shed 240 pounds from Town & Country model, and this was significant because the hybrid version comes with the additional 650 pound (the battery pack weighs 350 pounds only).
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Interior
The plug-in variant has batteries under the second-row seats. In this area, the Stow ‘N Go seats are supposed to be positioned. The captain’s chairs which can be folded flat are in the second row. In general, the seats feature more padding which makes them more comfortable comparing to the ones from the previous model.
The interior offers an attractive steering wheel with authentic teal stitching. The cabin is fashionable with some great accents and combination of colors.
Exterior Design and Gas/Electric Mode
The grille has flowing lines, which differentiates the hybrid model from the regular one. Among other unique features of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan brings 18-inch wheels and a teal color. The color is also important and when it appears on the gauges because it means that you are using electric power. If you see blue color, then the car switched to the gas-electric combination.
The vehicle wants to make sure that you don’t switch to the gas mode or to use it as rare as possible. This is why there is an efficiency coach on the screen. The purpose is to warn you that if you accelerate too quickly, the car will start using gas. The same goes for braking. If you press the brakes too hard, instead of regenerative, the car will use friction braking. The screen color shows whether the car is running as an electric or a hybrid.
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Price
Moreover, there is a map of charging stations and driving history if you tap the screen. The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Premium costs $43,090 whereas the Platinum trim would set you back $46,090. Expect it to be available for orders from December 2016.
