Chrysler Pacifica EV is happening - eventually
The Chrysler Pacifica PHEV turned the minivan segment on its head when it debuted in 2017, and now we have confirmation that an all-electric variant is on the way.
The Chrysler Pacifica marked a turning point for the brand, combining efficiency and breathing life into a rather stale minivan segment. Since the PHEV model was introduced in 2017, an all-electric Pacifica has been a hot topic, and now it looks like it's finally happening.
Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell confirmed to Green Car Reports that the brand's upcoming electric minivan will be called the Pacifica, marking a major step in the automaker’s plan to go all-electric by 2028.
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An electric minivan has been on Chrysler’s radar since 2022
Chrysler invented the minivan segment, so it makes sense that the automaker had already been considering the next evolution of the Pacifica for a few years. In 2022, the CEO told Green Car Reports that minivans are a life-stage vehicle, particularly for families, most of whom want all-wheel drive and enough range to avoid range anxiety.
"A 400-mile range seems to be the sweet spot for many customers who are trying to overcome the anxiety that they have about considering range," said Feuell.
Despite the release of its EV counterpart being a ways off, the PHEV Pacifica will receive an updated design for 2026 to keep it fresh. 2025 Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler’s first electric vehicle, the Airflow, will launch in the 2025 model year as a compact crossover based on the STLA platform. According to preliminary figures, it could offer a range of up to 440 miles and compete with EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-e and Tesla Model Y.
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The EV minivan segment is rather sparse at the moment
With few three-row EV options available, the Chrysler Pacifica EV is set to fill a significant void in the market, offering a major advantage over its main competitor, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz.
The redesigned electric Pacifica will feature a reimagined version of Chrysler’s signature Stow ‘N Go seating system, a significant upgrade over the VW's storage system. As of now, the ID. Buzz requires seat removal to create an open space, and the U.S. version doesn’t allow for full removal of the second-row seats.
The Stow ‘N Go system would allow the front seats to slide forward, creating space to stow the second-row seats within the vehicle. Feuell also hinted at the potential for rear outboard seats to be mounted on rails, enabling them to slide sideways for even greater flexibility. Halcyon Concept
Design-wise, the Pacifica EV won’t follow the aforementioned Airflow electric crossover concept, though. Instead, the electric minivan will borrow ideas from the Halcyon concept unveiled earlier this year.
There’s no word on whether the Pacifica PHEV and EV will coexist. Currently, the Pacifica PHEV features a 260-horsepower V6 engine working alongside two electric motors and is capable of traveling up to 32 miles on electrical power alone.
Final thoughts
The Chrysler Pacifica was a stand-out model in 2017, but it’s grown pretty stale as of late. Considering Chrysler has just three models in its lineup, two of which are minivans, there’s really no reason not to innovate at this point. While a Pacifica EV might be highly anticipated by some, we still won’t see it until after the 2026 model year. Chrysler
With the launch of the Airflow crossover, Chrysler clearly remains committed to continuing to expand its electric offerings. The American marque plans to launch three EVs by 2028, and it looks like the Pacifica EV might be the last of the three. While a basic SUV does my family just fine, the space of an electric minivan is certainly enticing. We’ll have to wait and see what else the Chrysler Pacifica EV has to offer when it finally makes its official debut a few years from now.
