Pacifica Hybrid leads the pack in minivan segment

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- After spending some more seat time in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid recently, I came to the conclusion that it's really the ultimate minivan in today's market.

So what?, you say.  It's just a minivan.

So, says I, there's still something to be said for a large, comfortable, well-equipped people/cargo mover with a seamless gas-electric hybrid system capable of hitting the equivalent of 82 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving.

I wish such a vehicle existed when I was a young father transporting various young folks.  I would have jumped at it in a New York minute.  As it was, on the road, I typically rented the founding fathers of the modern minivan -- Dodge Caravans/Chrysler Voyagers -- back in the day.

The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited I recently tested makes those oldies/goodies seem like farm plows.

Where to start?  Sure, the tester looked like a minivan, but with a sleek design that made for a handsome profile and cut through the air with relatively noiseless enthusiasm.  Interior comfort and space are generous ... much more than you get in the typical crossover sport-utility vehicle these days.  The honeycomb grille pattern also was a head-turner.

I confess that I love triggering the power sliding side doors and rear gate from the key fob.  The veteran family road trip driver can hit the buttons and have everybody seated and belted by the time the ignition is hit.  No small pleasure, that.  My ride was spiced up with an "S Appearance Package" featuring Nappa leather bucket seats.

Power from the gas-electric hybrid system generates the equivalent of some 260 horsepower, more than enough for all the roadway chores.  On the highway, the minivan cruises along with exceptional smoothness, and a nicely firm feel in the steering wheel. It will run 30 miles in all-electric mode, and battery recharging is a snap.

My ride was loaded with entertainment perks to please a diverse crowd.  That included a primo 20-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a Blu-ray/DVD player, seatback video screens, top-tier wireless headphones, video USB port and state-of-the-art  media hubs.

Beyond that, the tester was stuffed with dozens of comfort/convenience/safety features -- what you might expect to see in three separate car purchases.

It comes at a price -- $51,025 on the tester -- but I'm assuming most minivan shoppers -- young, old or in-between -- are looking to buy in for the long haul.  If that's your game plan, this Pacifica Hybrid Limited deserves a look

No minivan does it better.