The best family road tripper just got a little more long-haul friendly.
2023 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L AWD “Road Tripper”
Class: Minivan
Color: Ceramic Gray
Seating capacity: 7
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | A- |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. « Big » rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, « Tall » rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 287-horsepower 3.6-liter |
| Engine Type | V6 |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles driven: 464
Observed fuel economy: 23.4 mpg
Driving mix: 80% city, 20% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/25/20 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $43,925 (not including $1595 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($495), Road Tripper Package ($2095), Safety Sphere ($1195), Theater Family Group ($3995), Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof ($1595)
Price as tested: $54,895
Quick Hits
The great: Outstanding family comfort
The good: Quiet cabin, smooth ride, good power
The not so good: Gets pricey when loaded with options
Tom Appel:
New for 2023, the Pacifica Road Tripper Package feels slightly redundant to us. After all, what better road-tripping vehicle is there than a minivan? And, of all the minivans, we regard Chrysler’s as the best—though every minivan currently available deserves a test drive.
Introduced for 2023, the Road Tripper package is offered on front-drive and AWD versions of the midlevel Touring L, as well as the Touring L Hybrid. For 2024—for some reason—Road Tripper becomes a stand-along trim level for Hybrid models.
And, perhaps because the Pacifica was already plenty road-trip ready, the Road Tripper Package does not add all that much in terms of functional equipment. The big adds, and the ones which will appeal to folks heading out on the open road, include a roof rack, a cargo-area liner and storage bin, and all-weather floor mats. Also included are lots of monochromatic trim elements, which spruce up the Pacifica’s look nicely but limit color choices. For 2023 and 2024, Road Tripper exterior color choices are limited to Brilliant Black, Ceramic Gray, and Bright White.
Like all Pacificas, the Road Tripper is powered to Chrysler’s tried-and-true 3.6-liter V6 mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Conventional models are available with AWD, while the Hybrid comes only with front-wheel drive.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica L AWD with the Road Tripping Package and the Uconnect Theater Family Group. All told, are well equipped Pacifica came to $54,895, including destination charge
In Consumer Guide testing, which included a bit of road tripping, we averaged 23.4 mpg. Not exactly thrifty, but certainly acceptable, especially given the power and AWD.
For a complete review of the Chrysler Pacifica, please click here. Here we’d like to share the five cool things about the Chrysler Pacifica when equipped with the Road Tripper package:
5 Cool Things About the Chrysler Pacfica Road Tripper
It’s a minivan
Seriously, there is no more perfect a family long-hauler than the minivan, and Chrysler’s version of this American classic is spot-on what the category is at its best. That means comfortable seating for up to seven passengers, great outward visibility, plenty of storage flexibility, plus decent power, comfortable ride, and reasonable fuel economy.
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It’s Luxurious
The Pacifica is no bargain—no minivan is these days—but it does reward shoppers with a surprising level of luxury, even in lower trim levels. Our Touring L boasts a classy and upscale cabin, quiet cruising environment, plenty of desirable tech (mostly by way of the company’s easy-to-use Uconnect digital interface), and comfy seatings—even in the way-back row. Also, the van is a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, which should keep the youngster happy for extended periods of time.
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It’s Ready for the long haul (range)
We put plenty of highway miles on our test Pacifica Road Tripper, and saw a reported 23.4 mpg during that time. Given the Pacifica’s large 19.0-gallon fuel tank, owners should see close to 450 miles of highway range, more if they back off the cruising speed a bit. Odds are, your passengers are going to pit stop long before you need to break for fuel.
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It’s ready for the long haul (fatigue)
And about that 450 miles of range… Pacifica boasts one of the quietest cabins in the family-hauler category. Plus, it rides well and the seats are plenty comfortable, too. This means going long distances with the crew will go just a little easier, and you’ll arrive at your destination feeling just a little less fatigued. Also, for those who worry about such things, the standard harman Kardon audio systems is pretty easy on the ears, too. To quote Clark Griswold in “Vacation,” the Pacifica may make you boast, “I can go another 100 miles!”
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It’s attractive
We’ve always found the Pacifica to be an attractive vehicle, and the Road Tripper trim bits go a long way towards freshening the Chrysler’s sleek profile. There’s really no design stigma associated with piloting a can anymore.
Chrysler Pacfica Road Tripper Gallery
(Click below for enlarged images)
