Unfortunately, our long-term Tesla Model 3 is still in the shop.
It’s been a little over two months, and while we may see the Tesla back in our fleet soon, we don’t have it back to do more videos with yet. In the meantime, we have a different sort of electric car challenge. Enter the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, a minivan that offers up to 32 miles of all-electric range thanks to its 16 kWh battery. Mated to its electric motor is a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a 16.5 gallon fuel tank. That means, theoretically, that this car can go up to 520 miles in one sitting, according to the EPA. But is that actually possible in the real world?
We know from previous testing that this car can achieve real-world economy figures beyond what’s certified. But will that story change over a long-distance road trip?
To find out, Roman and his wife embark on a straightforward challenge. The goal is to make it from Jackson Hole, Wyoming back to our office in Boulder, Colorado. Depending on which route you take, the total journey is around 500 miles, which ought to test the Pacifica Hybrid and its estimated total range. Will they make it on a single tank? Watch the video above to find out!
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: By the numbers
The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is a unique offering in its segment. Unlike the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey or Kia Sedona, it’s the only one with a hybrid powertrain. Although, it is worth pointing out the Sienna does offer all-wheel drive, unlike any of the others. For that extra range, the Pacifica Hybrid does not come cheap.
The Limited model, for example, starts off at $47,040 including a $1,495 destination fee. Add some options, and you can end up at our $50,255 price on this test car. That includes things like the $995 Advanced SafetyTec Group, which adds a host of driver assistance features. The tri-pane panoramic sunroof is another pricey option, which costs $1,795.
At the end of the trip, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid still had 55 miles of range remaining. That’s after a 497.7-mile trip, during which the van traveled 95.5 miles on electricity alone. According to the trip computer, that worked out at 34.1 mpg on average, higher than the EPA’s 30 Combined mpg rating.
