Find the Right Used Chrysler Pacifica

Looking around you on the road each day, it’s pretty clear that SUVs have come to dominate the auto industry because they work well for a wide range of drivers. For some of us, however, the interior design of an SUV can be adequate but not necessarily perfect. If you want something with more seating or larger cargo areas, you can’t beat a minivan. There’s a reason minivans were the trusted choice for big families for many years, and modern minivans are better than ever, even if they’re not as common. That’s where the Chrysler Pacifica comes into play as one of the most stylish, innovative, and beautifully appointed minivans on the road.

If you’re looking at vehicles for a growing family at a used Chrysler dealer, we’d strongly suggest you take a look at the Pacifica. Ever since it first hit the road for the 2017 model year, replacing the popular Town & Country minivan, the Pacifica has been turning heads and making headlines. Let’s take a look at each model year to see what they have brought to the scene and get a sense of which ones might be best for you as you shop.

It all started with the Pacifica as Chrysler launched it as an entirely new model for 2017 with an innovative and bold design. If you want to save as much money as possible on a used Pacifica, this might be a good choice since it’s as old as you can find. Powered by a 3.6L V6 engine that delivers 287 hp, the 2017 Pacifica features front-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission that makes for a smooth driving experience. You won’t feel like you’re in a muscle car, but it’s responsive and powerful enough to make for an enjoyable drive whenever you get behind the wheel.

Inside the 2017 Pacifica, you’ll find an incredibly spacious interior that’s been beautifully designed to deliver both tremendous comfort and plenty of passenger seating. You’ll find three rows of seats inside the Pacifica, with a third row that can fold into the floor to open up a massive amount of rear cargo space, in addition to the standard rear cargo area that has plenty of room, to begin with. High trims of the model include features like a pair of 10-inch displays mounted on the rear of the front seats for your passengers and even a built-in vacuum cleaner to help clear spilled snacks and dirt that gets tracked in.

One of our favorite things about the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is the available hybrid engine, which boosts fuel efficiency to a level not typically seen in such a large vehicle. In terms of other great tech features, you’ll find a standard 5.0-inch Infotainment display—though higher trims feature an 8.4-inch display—and numerous USB ports and more. Overall, this is a terrific place to start and one of our favorite picks if you’re looking for a pre-owned minivan. Keep in mind that there are always some bugs to work out with the first year of any model, so it might be worth looking for a 2018 Pacifica instead—if that’s something you’re worried about.

For its second year, Chrysler didn’t make huge changes to the Pacifica, but that works in your favor as you look at used models—there are some important things to note, however. A new L trim was added for 2018 that wasn’t previously available. This new starting trim had a lower price than the starting 2017 model, which can be advantageous if you’re looking for the best price possible on a used minivan. The Infotainment system was updated for 2018 with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus some new interior and exterior details became available. This is a solid choice if you want to go far back in the Pacifica’s lifespan but are concerned about any first-year hiccups.

Changes for the 2019 model year were relatively minimal, which means you can look at 2018 and 2019 models and find most of the same features on them. This is great when you’re looking for a pre-owned Chrysler Pacifica, though a few new exterior color options and similar features were offered for 2019. Probably, the most important thing to note about the 2019 model is that this was the last year that the L and LX trims, the two lowest, were offered for the Pacifica, which can be crucial if you’re looking for the best deal possible.

Several changes are important to note as you look at a used 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, starting with Chrysler’s dropping of the L and LX trims.
The Touring trim made its debut in the 2020 model year. The Touring had a wealth of new features, which means that buying a used one now might cost more than previous model years, but you can also find more advanced features since more of them became standard. High-end models for this year can include a stunning Harman/Kardon sound system, a tri-pane panoramic sunroof, and more.

The other important detail to note is that this was the last model year before a major refresh and update. For some people, that’s a selling point, as you know that any bugs had been ironed out by this point, but you’re potentially missing out on anything added with the facelift in newer models. Standard and available safety technologies were also very impressive for the 2020 model year, so keep that in mind when looking at used options.

For the 2021 model year, Chrysler gave the Pacifica a complete facelift and a major update, though it remains the first generation; this isn’t a redesign. New exterior styling includes an updated front grille, new lighting, and an improved rear liftgate that are all easy to notice from the outside. You still get the standard 287-hp V6 engine on the 2021 Pacifica, with a hybrid available, but for 2021, Chrysler made all-wheel drive available, so you can find that on used models.

The interior remains a master class in elegant, functional design with plenty of room inside for passengers and cargo alike. Updates include a stunning, 10.1-inch Infotainment display for the improved Uconnect 5 system, with a large number of USB ports throughout and much more. Advanced safety technology like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring are standard on all 2021 Pacifica models, making this a very good choice.

Riding high on the update and facelift from the previous year, changes for 2022 are pretty minimal for the Pacifica. A new air-filtration system for the cabin is great if you have passengers with allergies and other breathing concerns. An Amazon Fire TV system was available to ensure that passengers were entertained and occupied on long road trips. Finding a used minivan with that entertainment system would be a score. Overall, this is an excellent model and a great choice as you look at pre-owned options.

The Pacifica rolled into its 2023 model year without any significant changes from 2022, which is no surprise since it was already one of the best minivans on the market. This is also good news for you as you’re looking at used vehicles since it means you can shop for 2022 and 2023 models without worrying about missing out on anything. Whether you’re looking for advanced tech to keep kids entertained while running errands, a comfortable ride for you and your co-pilot, or driver assistance features to ensure everyone gets home safely, the Pacifica has you covered.

As you can see, your choice of model year can make a big difference in some instances, like choosing a 2021 model over one from 2020, but in other cases, it’s not nearly as important. These factors are important to keep in mind as you look at different used models so you know which ones will work well for you and which ones lack the features you need. Of course, with so many good options available, it’s easy to still be overwhelmed by choices or unsure of what suits you best. But that’s why we’re here to help. At Jeff Perry Chrysler Jeep, one of our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople can take you through our used vehicles and help you find the right one with everything you’re looking for.