Minivans may not be as popular as they once were, but there’s still a market for them. However, the options have significantly shrunk, as many automakers simply prefer not to make them. The Chrysler Pacifica has reigned over this small division for years, but Consumer Reports thinks you should avoid the 2022 model in favor of the competition.
The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica is lacking in power
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Car and Driver tend to have good things to say about the 2022 Pacifica’s regular 287 hp 3.6-liter V-6 engine, as well as the plug-in hybrid option and the nine-speed automatic transmission. The available AWD is also a nice feature that has earned the Pacifica some points.
The 2022 Pacifica can go from 0 to 60 in 7.6 seconds, which is respectable enough if you remember you’re driving a minivan and not a sports car. The EPA gas mileage is rated at 33 mpg, while the Car and Driver 75-mile test ranked it more at 31 mpg.
The $38,690 price tag makes it the highest in the minivan division, which is not great, but Car and Driver seem willing to overlook this based on the expansive cargo space. Some plastic pieces bring the Pacifica down. Despite this, the lumbar pillows, quilted leather seats, and a tall center console on the higher trim levels tended to impress Car and Driver enough to give the Pacifica a score of 9.5 out of 10. However, Consumer Reports was not nearly so enthusiastic about the latest Pacifica.
Consumer Reports is far from impressed
On Consumer Reports’ latest minivan scores, the Pacifica comes in last. To be fair, the Chrysler Voyager and the Ford Transit Connect have not been tested yet, so once those scores are released, that could change.
Even so, there’s no denying that the 2022 Pacifica didn’t perform well on Consumer Reports tests. The overall score is 57 out of 100, 85 out of 100 on the road test, a 1 out of 5 predicted reliability, and a predicted owner satisfaction 4 out of 5. Most of these scores are excellent, but the poor reliability score really brought the Pacifica low.
While it’s hard to tell how the Pacifica will hold up when it comes to reliability, Consumer Reports based the scores off of 2019, 2020, and 2021 models, which don’t seem to be aging as well as expected.
Check out these minivans instead
If you’re interested in a new minivan, there are three other options you should consider before going with the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica. These are the 2022 Honda Odyssey, the 2022 Toyota Sienna, and the 2022 Kia Carnival.
The 2022 Kia Carnival has an overall score of 79, a road test score of 89, a predicted reliability score of 3 out of 5, and a predicted owner satisfaction score of 4 out of 5. There are currently two recalls on the Carnival, but overall, it got the top score from Consumer Reports.
The 2022 Toyota Sienna has an overall score of 80, a road test score of 80, a predicted reliability score of 3 out of 5, and a predicted owner satisfaction score of 5 out of 5. It has the best gas mileage in the division, with an EPA rating of 36 mpg overall.
The 2022 Honda Odyssey has an overall score of 78, a road test score of 85, a predicted reliability score of 3 out of 5, and a predicted owner satisfaction score of 3 out of 5 with two recalls currently.
Each of these minivans has plenty of options to love, as well as some factors which may prove annoying. Whichever option you choose, it will most likely leave you more satisfied in the long term than the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica.
Keyword: Consumer Reports Says the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Is the Most Expensive and Worst Minivan You Can Buy