Pacifica leads the way in the minivan segment

A menu of Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen on the Business page of The Sacramento Bee’s website – www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4005306.html

Sacramento, California -- In auto-reviewing circles, more than a few knowledgeable folks consider the Chrysler Pacifica the best minivan in the segment.

Given the grief minivans get these days compared with the praise heaped upon crossover sport-utility vehicles, I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing.  I, for one, believe minivans still have a purpose, and a market.

Arguably, the tested 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited is the ultimate vehicle for the minivan fan, and with a starting price of five bucks short of $45,000, I would think the buyer of this vehicle would want to consider it a long-term investment ... 10 years minimum, I'd speculate.

For that, you get pretty much everything that can be put into a state-of-the-art minivan. The Pacifica is positively loaded with comfort and convenience features, for example.  Take your pick: fold-into-the-floor third row seats, 7-inch full color digital display, heated seats/steering wheel, multiple communications/media features, three-zone climate control and, well, I'd need a small booklet to get it all in.

The list of safety features was exceptional, with high-tech enhancements the norm.

My ride was dressed up with extras that included a primo Harman Kardon audio system, a Blu-ray player and a tri-pane panoramic sunroof.  That pushed the sticker price to nearly $50,000. Again, if I am going to put down $50,000 on a minivan, I want it to be in my possession through two full presidential terms, minimum.

The look of the Pacifica is basic minivan, but the low step-in height is a plus for passengers who are, well, vertically challenged.  My passengers pointed this out and were grateful for such a thoughtful step.

The hybrid feature tops off the full Pacifica minivan experience.  Yes, you're paying for the hybrid technology, but the long-range payoff on that is that you'll be getting around 84 miles per gallon equivalent, with the fully operational hybrid system.  Gasoline alone, via a 3.6-liter V-6, nets you a still-respectable 32 mpg. Total range for the vehicle tops 500 miles.

With the hybrid powertrain capable of generating more than 250 horsepower, the Pacifica was a quiet, smooth freeway cruiser.  You still need to handle the seven-passenger vehicle with care on city streets and in tight parking lots.  It climbs surprisingly well in the countryside.

The Pacifica's sound-dampening technology is impressive, but please note, the hybrid powertrain makes a sound very similar to an approaching siren when the vehicle is slowing to a stop or getting up to speed from a standstill.  That takes some getting used to, but it's not a deal-breaker.

If you want to lay claim to having the best minivan on the block -- or maybe on the planet -- this hybrid Pacifica is the way to go.  And yes, you should count on having a long, happy relationship with this impressive vehicle.