2026 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Evaluation: Luxurious Attributes and Capability, However Indicating Signs of Maturity

Once, every half-ton truck or seven-seat utility vehicle on my test list would result in a sigh. Another tedious commuter vehicle. Fantastic. Young Byron only desired to arrange track days and navigate corners, not tally cup holders or evaluate comfort features. But nowadays, my interests have broadened, and my weekends are packed with projects, like an old house and a vintage fun car, both demanding near-constant attention. These days, I find equal excitement in large wings and spacious beds—and yes, even roomy family vehicles.

I had grand plans for this Chrysler Pacifica, involving 4×8 sheets of OSB and insulating foam, and perhaps some ten-foot wall panels. But for the second consecutive year, winter hit hard and fast here in Southeast Michigan, leaving my materials frozen solid. Think pressure-treated wood is heavy? Submerge it and freeze it. Sometimes, life throws unexpected challenges your way.

And truthfully, that’s probably how many become minivan owners. The seven-passenger MPV hit its peak during the 1990s and has been on a downward trend since—at least until now. Younger Gen-Xers and older Millennials grew up riding in them, and there’s a significant number who hold fond memories of them. Certainly, our parents may have felt pressured to replace them with crossovers and SUVs as they became nearly universally uncool after the new millennium, but believe it or not, those former third-row passengers now have kids of their own, and due to a mix of nostalgia and practical needs, a considerable number have found themselves behind the wheel of the same kinds of vehicles their parents drove. Life is amusing, isn’t it?

Overview

Chrysler didn’t introduce anything groundbreaking for the 2026 Pacifica, to be precise. Technically, the company added a 100th Anniversary special “model” to the lineup, but it’s merely a badge-and-sticker package for the Select trim and isn’t relevant to the “Red Hot” Pinnacle Model that resided in my driveway for a week.

The Pinnacle model carries a price tag of $60,000, and unlike several other seven-seaters, its interior justifies it. The Pacifica looks and feels genuinely nice inside—perhaps even overly nice for the kind of vehicle meant to transport messy children. But don’t worry, those stylish lumbar pillows are only $95 for a set. Purchase a few extra sets at the dealer and store them in a vacuum bag for when replacements are eventually needed—oh, and you can use the built-in vacuum cleaner to pack them away.

All that aside, the Pacifica is starting to feel somewhat outdated. Its last overhaul was nearly a decade ago, and the dashboard design reflects that reality. It’s time to retire the large wing vents and streamline the interior a bit.

Experiencing the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle

For the past 25 years, we’ve celebrated the handling and ride quality of car-based crossovers, but (perhaps fittingly, considering the topic) minivans were doing that kind of thing before it became trendy. That was their initial brilliance, after all—the packaging advantages of a front-wheel-drive vehicle merged with the utility offered by old-school station wagons, which had more in common with today’s body-on-frame SUVs than anything labeled as a wagon. It’s certainly not sporty, but the Pacifica maneuvers through turns just fine.

Like a true high-trim minivan, the Pacifica is equipped with an old-school V6. This isn’t a critique of hybrids (though the Pacifica PHEV does have its compromises) as much as a reflection on how enduring this configuration is. There’s a reason early Chrysler minivans explored both turbocharged four-cylinders and transverse V6s: a compact engine compartment coupled with a seven-passenger payload necessitates extracting a lot of torque from a relatively small engine. The 3.6-liter Pentastar’s 287 horsepower propels it adequately (even with a more modest 262 pound-feet of torque on tap). For more power, you would need the electric assistance provided by the PHEV.

However, let’s be honest: the minivan shines at the end of a journey, when parking becomes necessary. Be it in a garage or a cramped lot, sliding doors simplify even the tightest parking spaces. This design is unquestionably superior. Everything that has followed has either regressed or complicated the process unnecessarily (even a minivan driver wouldn’t want Falcon doors). If we’re to live in a surveillance society, let’s have drones trailing SUV owners so we can charge them every time their kids ding another door with those enormous swinging doors—a fund could be created for an American autobahn system with the proceeds.

Concise Judgment

Even as a somewhat self-identified minivangelist, I’ve still been caught off guard by their steady sales. Of course, many go to fleets (and judging by the lines for entry at Disney and Universal parks in Florida last winter, particularly rental fleets), but that’s because they excel in their roles. They not only fit your driveway better than a seven-passenger SUV, but they’re just as beneficial for rental companies needing to store numerous units at any time.

Yet, any doubts I hold are invariably dispelled when I drive one, as that’s when I recall why they were initially so successful. Like crossovers, they originated as an alternative to larger, less practical options, and have since carved out a niche of their own. Chrysler essentially pioneered this category, and it shows. Unfortunately, its age is becoming apparent as well.

Chrysler provided The Drive with a seven-day loan of this vehicle for the purpose of writing this review.

2026 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle AWD Specifications