Chrysler Calls It a Redesign… But the Pacifica Barely Changed

Nine years in, and the Chrysler Pacifica is still doing most of the same things it did back in 2017. Chrysler calls this a redesign for 2027, but it feels closer to a light update.

There is a new front end, but only on Select, Limited, and Pinnacle trims. The base LX keeps the old design, so two different versions will sit side by side in showrooms. That alone says a lot.

The updated front adds vertical LED headlights, a glowing Chrysler badge, and an illuminated grille with what they call “piano key” lighting. Limited and Pinnacle models also get a welcome animation when you approach. It looks nice, but this type of feature has been around for years.

From the side, nothing really changes. The rear gets a small update to the light bar, and that is about it. Inside, the story stays the same. There is a new badge on the steering wheel, some fresh trim, and a Blue Agave interior on the Pinnacle, but the dashboard, controls, and layout all carry over from the 2021 update.

Under the hood, it sticks with the 3.6-liter V6. Output remains at 287 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It is still a solid engine, and Chrysler adds a few useful features like a height-adjustable power liftgate, a blind spot camera view, and more flexibility for rear-seat entertainment.

The issue is not what it does, but how it compares now. The Toyota Sienna comes with a hybrid setup as standard and better fuel economy. The Kia Carnival feels newer inside and out. The Honda Odyssey may not be new either, but it still offers one of the best interiors in the segment.

The Pacifica still works, but it no longer feels ahead of the pack. Put the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica next to the 2027 model, and you have to look twice to spot the difference. Feels fair to say, right?

2017 Chrysler Pacifica

2027 Chrysler Pacifica