The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited continues to electrify the automotive industry. Autotrader says the Pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) — the first and only electrified minivan — is one of the 12 Best Electric Vehicles for 2019. This newest accolade takes the Pacifica’s overall award count to more than 120 and further solidifies its standing as the most awarded minivan since 2016.
Editors at Autotrader created the inaugural 12 Best Electric Vehicles list to assist customers looking to make a purchase in the growing field of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and PHEVs. Editors considered a variety of important criteria, such as maximum range, electric-only range (for PHEVs), price, drivability and value, to help determine their “best of” list. Categories were scored on a 1-to-5 scale with 5 being the high score. Each vehicle included in the list earned a combined average score of at least 3.8 out of a possible 5.
“This is our first annual list of the best EVs and we expect the cars on this list to change dramatically over the years,” said Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader. “That being said, the Chrysler Pacifica is really in a league of its own – there simply aren’t any other minivans that offer the plug-in flexibility of the Pacifica Hybrid. Around town, the Pacifica Hybrid can run on just electricity, making it both quick and quiet. However, the hybrid powertrain means it’s good for long trips too – all the while providing the comfort of a luxurious minivan.”
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid delivers 82 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode, an all-electric range of 32 miles and a total range of more than 500 miles. The segment’s first hybrid vehicle features a FCA US-designed, innovative dual-motor eFlite electrically variable transmission (EVT) paired with a specially modified version of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 gasoline engine. The Pacifica Hybrid is designed to offer a seamless driving experience, with no need for the driver to select between electric and hybrid modes.
The Pacifica Hybrid, ranked among the top five best-selling PHEVs in the industry, is equipped with a regenerative braking system that redirects the kinetic energy used to stop the brakes into energy that is used to charge the vehicle’s battery. The Pacifica Hybrid may be fully recharged via the 6.6-kWh on-board charger in as little as two hours using a 240-volt (Level 2) charger, available from Mopar through dealers.