- Chrysler is giving its eight-year-old Pacifica minivan a nip and tuck.
- Spy shots suggest the side sliding doors could open with foot gestures.
- Hood and front fascia gain sharper edges and an illuminated badge.
We’re still waiting for a real Chrysler revival, proof that stylish concepts like the 2024 Halcyon EV are more than empty promises. In the meantime, we’ll have to settle for a facelifted version of the brand’s geriatric Pacifica minivan, which our spy photo team has snapped for the first time.
The Pacifica debuted in 2016 and got a mild refresh for the 2021 model year, but this latest makeover is shaping up to be more substantial.
More: Chrysler’s Latest Concept Is The Lifted Minivan You Never Knew You Wanted
Although the core structure of the Toyota Sienna rival is unchanged, heavy disguise on this prototype’s nose hides a new-look face that appears to borrow ideas from the Halcyon.
How Much Halcyon Influence?
We can make out a strong leading edge to the nose, which overhangs a recessed front fascia, giving the Pacifica a much sharper look. LED projector lights are visible at each corner, and is that a huge illuminated Chrysler badge in the center of the gray section of camo? It looks like it could be, which would make sense, seeing as the Halcyon showcased something similar.
Rear changes look like they might be less radical, perhaps limited to new graphics for the LED lights, unless Chrysler has a surprise under the D-pillar wrap.
What’s New Inside?
There certainly appears to be a surprise waiting for us inside the revised Pacifica, judging by the dashboard coverings visible through the window and the glimpse of a bigger touchscreen.
Just getting into that cabin might be more exciting this time around if we’ve interpreted the sticker on the sliding door correctly. It seems to suggest that drivers will be able to open the sliding doors by making a kicking motion under the rocker panel, which would make life easier if they have their hands full of kids and shopping bags.
That’s if the tech works – it’s been around on trunks for years, and we’ve often found it hit and miss.
What Powers It?
These images don’t give us any clue as to what’s under the hood of the new-look Pacifica, which currently offers a choice of 287 hp (290 PS) V6 or 260 hp (264 PS) PHEV V6.
Stellantis has a powerful new 324 hp (329 PS) Hurricane 4 Turbo engine that makes more than V6 power from four cylinders and is also hybrid compatible, and that would seem like a great option if the re-engineering costs aren’t too high.
The 2026 Pacifica is already out and a carryover design, so we expect to see the new Pacifica make an appearance next year as a MY27, and it would make sense for Chrysler to give its more affordable Voyager brother some of the same treatment at the same time.
Baldauf
