word of reality in 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid can save you money at the pump, but it will dictate exactly how you do it.

Minivans have gotten a bad rap. Many folks think of them as boring, nondescript family vehicles that signal the end of one’s carefree youth. In truth, they are often a better choice than a hulking SUV for moving gear and people. Case in point is the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica, particularly the plug-in hybrid version. This minivan is extra efficient and has plenty of tech and comforts. However, our tester compromises a bit on some key features and is priced way above its competitors.

For 2023, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is available in Touring L, Limited and Pinnacle trims. For this review we’ve got the mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package. This adds body-colored door handles and exterior mirrors, gloss black surround on the grille and black accents scattered about. The exterior is topped off with 18-inch wheels. Chrysler says they have a “Foreshadow” finish, but we’ll just call them black.

Up front, the split grille is surrounded by standard LED headlamps, and we like the LED tail lamps that span the entire width of rear. Although minivans don’t have the cool cachet of an SUV, they’re a more practical choice. As we noted in our review of the Chrylser Pacifica Hybrid last year, this minivan is essentially the same vehicle as an SUV, but it’s equipped with helpful sliding doors and more cargo space.

If you want anything but a black interior, you’ll need to upgrade to the top trim. That’s not to say the Limited’s interior is bad, it’s just dark. The Nappa leather seats are handsome and the dash features a few sweeping lines, giving the interior a sophisticated notion. We like the chunky HVAC and audio knobs, but it’s possible to confuse them with the transmission selector dial, as the two controls are situated pretty close to one another.