2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Vs 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Comparison: Family Style

[The Mopar Junkie]

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Vs 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Comparison: Family Style​

Chrysler and Toyota square off in a battle of efficiency, comfort, and flair.​

Minivans are not “cool.” Comfortable, spacious, and versatile? Sure. But when the neatness factor of a vehicle focuses almost exclusively on a built-in vacuum cleaner or an easy-stow seat, you know you're looking at a deeply uncool vehicle. But what if they weren't? What if automakers imbued their minivans with innovative powertrains, flashy sheet metal, advanced technology, and other stylish touches?
Well, you'd have the two vans we're testing today: the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. These two family haulers represent the progression of electrification into the minivan space while also leading the charge, so to speak, for edgier styling. That the Pacifica hails from the creator of the minivan while the Sienna comes from the brand that popularized hybrid technology adds a sense of poetry to this contest. That said, calling this a “contest” is a little generous. Read on to find out why.

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Vs 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Comparison: Family Style

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and Toyota Sienna Hybrid duke it out for bragging rights in the fledging electrified minivan space.

www.motor1.com

 

[harryn]

Hi, this is the exact comparison that my daughter is starting to look at for her family of 4.

They live in the very hot California central valley so moderating the interior temperature is always a challenge.

As an example, on a typical summer day, they cannot get into their existing van without first running the air conditioning for a while.

If they were to own a 2021 Pacifica Hybrid AWD model, is there an ability to keep the van cool using the battery pack / engine off for at least some period of time?

It would be ideal if it worked for at least 1 - 2 hrs parked anywhere, but even if it only worked plugged into a level 1 charger at home that would help.

I have attempted to find this info but so far it is not clear to me how the hybrid system works when it comes to a/c.

Thanks

HarryN

 

[AlexB]

Hi, this is the exact comparison that my daughter is starting to look at for her family of 4.

They live in the very hot California central valley so moderating the interior temperature is always a challenge.

As an example, on a typical summer day, they cannot get into their existing van without first running the air conditioning for a while.

If they were to own a 2021 Pacifica Hybrid AWD model, is there an ability to keep the van cool using the battery pack / engine off for at least some period of time?

It would be ideal if it worked for at least 1 - 2 hrs parked anywhere, but even if it only worked plugged into a level 1 charger at home that would help.

I have attempted to find this info but so far it is not clear to me how the hybrid system works when it comes to a/c.

Thanks

HarryN

Hello and welcome aboard!
Pacifica PHEV is an electric air conditioning compressor. Engine not a factor for A/C.

 

[harryn]

Thank you.

There are a lot of details that can come up with how vehicle settings are configured.

From working on Ford Transit vans, there are a number of them that are user settable with some software, some that are dealer set, and some that are factory settings.

On another forum that is sort of pacifica focused, many of the owners are in Canada where fuel is very highly taxed but electricity is inexpensive. They are thrilled with the idea of a van that can be plugged in to keep it warm and go 25 - 30 miles with little or no fuel use. In their minds, it is great that the van does not appear to re-charge the battery pack other than as a start / stop / hybrid mode as this would consume fuel.

Apparently there is a "pre conditioning" feature that can be used to cool down the seats with a fan. As I understand it (from reading forum posts) if the van is plugged in to at least a level 1 charger (120 vac / 15 amp) it can run this for 15 minutes unattended. It "might be" that it can even run the full air conditioning as well - again for 15 minutes - especially if plugged into level 2. (not 100% sure yet).

_____________

What I am looking for is slightly different behavior.

- I am not really worried about a 30 mile range just on the battery pack. It is fine, but not important to us
- Would like the engine to try to keep the traction battery mostly charged up so it can run accessories like air conditioning
- Want to maximize vehicle comfort getting in and out when it is 115 F outside and in full sun.
- Would like to be able to do this both at home plugged in, as well as when they are out shopping in random places with my grand daughters so they don't have to stand in a hot parking lot waiting for the vehicle to cool down.

The inside of their SUV literally gets hot enough to cause burns.

Sometimes these settings are "configurable" and sometimes the EPA just bashes that capability.

That is the journey I am on.

Thanks

Harry

 

[patfromigh]

The Chrysler Pacifica still offers "Keyless Enter ‘n Go, remote start with cabin pre-conditioning, and heated and ventilated seats." This is from the Stellantis media website. You probably don't need artificially heated seats where you live. Living here in Frostbite Falls it is a different story. Belief to or not, the electric A/C uses much less electricity along with much less battery drain in the Pacifica than the electric heater setup. This is generally true for most EVs, that is why heated seats are offered to heat the driver and not the whole cabin. I don't remember if the Pacifica offers cooled seats. Personally I hate them. As an older adult, I don't like a sudden feeling of coolness when I sit down.

Most of the online videos discussing cabin pre-conditioning for the Pacifica hybrid say refer to the owners manual. I'm sure a dealer would have information on this. For those living in colder climates the Pacifica hybrid model still has a regular heater as well as the electric one.

 

[UN4GTBL]

The Chrysler Pacifica still offers "Keyless Enter ‘n Go, remote start with cabin pre-conditioning, and heated and ventilated seats." This is from the Stellantis media website. You probably don't need artificially heated seats where you live. Living here in Frostbite Falls it is a different story. Belief to or not, the electric A/C uses much less electricity along with much less battery drain in the Pacifica than the electric heater setup. This is generally true for most EVs, that is why heated seats are offered to heat the driver and not the whole cabin. I don't remember if the Pacifica offers cooled seats. Personally I hate them. As an older adult, I don't like a sudden feeling of coolness when I sit down.

Most of the online videos discussing cabin pre-conditioning for the Pacifica hybrid say refer to the owners manual. I'm sure a dealer would have information on this. For those living in colder climates the Pacifica hybrid model still has a regular heater as well as the electric one.

I don't believe that the middle/rear seats are vented in the Pacifica
The front seats would at least be optional vented IIRC

 

[UN4GTBL]

Thank you.

There are a lot of details that can come up with how vehicle settings are configured.

From working on Ford Transit vans, there are a number of them that are user settable with some software, some that are dealer set, and some that are factory settings.

On another forum that is sort of pacifica focused, many of the owners are in Canada where fuel is very highly taxed but electricity is inexpensive. They are thrilled with the idea of a van that can be plugged in to keep it warm and go 25 - 30 miles with little or no fuel use. In their minds, it is great that the van does not appear to re-charge the battery pack other than as a start / stop / hybrid mode as this would consume fuel.

Apparently there is a "pre conditioning" feature that can be used to cool down the seats with a fan. As I understand it (from reading forum posts) if the van is plugged in to at least a level 1 charger (120 vac / 15 amp) it can run this for 15 minutes unattended. It "might be" that it can even run the full air conditioning as well - again for 15 minutes - especially if plugged into level 2. (not 100% sure yet).

_____________

What I am looking for is slightly different behavior.

- I am not really worried about a 30 mile range just on the battery pack. It is fine, but not important to us
- Would like the engine to try to keep the traction battery mostly charged up so it can run accessories like air conditioning
- Want to maximize vehicle comfort getting in and out when it is 115 F outside and in full sun.
- Would like to be able to do this both at home plugged in, as well as when they are out shopping in random places with my grand daughters so they don't have to stand in a hot parking lot waiting for the vehicle to cool down.

The inside of their SUV literally gets hot enough to cause burns.

Sometimes these settings are "configurable" and sometimes the EPA just bashes that capability.

That is the journey I am on.

Thanks

Harry

You can easily remote start the vehicle either from your key or your phone (app) to cool it down.

Not sure what SUV they have now, but the Pacifica has A/C vents all the way to the rear seat, and that might help?

 

[harryn]

You can easily remote start the vehicle either from your key or your phone (app) to cool it down.

Not sure what SUV they have now, but the Pacifica has A/C vents all the way to the rear seat, and that might help?

Thanks - that is useful to cool it down from "literally burns their skin getting in when it is hot out".

My daughter drives a small Toyota SUV 4 door of some kind.

As a heat management strategy she parks it in her garage when at home to keep it somewhat cooler. This makes pre-cooling via remote starting more difficult unless it is via electrical only.

It could be helpful to remote start / pre-cool in a parking lot I guess.

The vehicle that she and her husband buy is their money and their decision. The good and bad or raising her to be an independent thinker.

I own a small business that does conversion van electrical, so even my old 2000 dodge minivan has solar panels and a 2 kW power system in it that I built. If it were my decision she would get either a Transit or Sprinter and I would add a 4 kW alternator, battery pack, inverter + a roof top air conditioner. That would solve the whole problem but this is where the "independent thinker challenge comes in.

Obviously still learning. It seems like these hybrid vehicles with significant battery packs are so focused on hitting the mpg numbers that they are missing out on what is really possible. Probably government mandates I guess.

 

[UN4GTBL]

Thanks - that is useful to cool it down from "literally burns their skin getting in when it is hot out".

My daughter drives a small Toyota SUV 4 door of some kind.

As a heat management strategy she parks it in her garage when at home to keep it somewhat cooler. This makes pre-cooling via remote starting more difficult unless it is via electrical only.

It could be helpful to remote start / pre-cool in a parking lot I guess.

The vehicle that she and her husband buy is their money and their decision. The good and bad or raising her to be an independent thinker.

I own a small business that does conversion van electrical, so even my old 2000 dodge minivan has solar panels and a 2 kW power system in it that I built. If it were my decision she would get either a Transit or Sprinter and I would add a 4 kW alternator, battery pack, inverter + a roof top air conditioner. That would solve the whole problem but this is where the "independent thinker challenge comes in.

Obviously still learning. It seems like these hybrid vehicles with significant battery packs are so focused on hitting the mpg numbers that they are missing out on what is really possible. Probably government mandates I guess.

You can use a "pre-condition" setting on the Pacifica Hybrid if it's plugged into a Level 2 charger I think, and that will not start the ICE, this is different from the remote start function.

 

[UN4GTBL]

It might be beneficial for you to look through the Hybrid supplement for the Pacifica's Owner's Manual, starting on page 24, where it discusses a climate schedule.

It's available at chrysler.com

Direct link to the supplement: https://msmownerassets.z13.web.core...Hybrid/P112730_21_RU2_H_SU_EN_USC_DIGITAL.pdf

 

[UN4GTBL]

I also found this thread: Preconditioning on its own

Seems you can set the climate schedule on the uConnect app.

 

[patfromigh]

Most likely the RAV4 Prime hybrid will offer the same features. I wish I could afford one, because that would mean I could also afford a Ram Rebel.

 

[UN4GTBL]

Most likely the RAV4 Prime hybrid will offer the same features. I wish I could afford one, because that would mean I could also afford a Ram Rebel.

Agreed, if you can get one.

 

[UN4GTBL]

Thanks - that is useful to cool it down from "literally burns their skin getting in when it is hot out".

My daughter drives a small Toyota SUV 4 door of some kind.

As a heat management strategy she parks it in her garage when at home to keep it somewhat cooler. This makes pre-cooling via remote starting more difficult unless it is via electrical only.

It could be helpful to remote start / pre-cool in a parking lot I guess.

The vehicle that she and her husband buy is their money and their decision. The good and bad or raising her to be an independent thinker.

I own a small business that does conversion van electrical, so even my old 2000 dodge minivan has solar panels and a 2 kW power system in it that I built. If it were my decision she would get either a Transit or Sprinter and I would add a 4 kW alternator, battery pack, inverter + a roof top air conditioner. That would solve the whole problem but this is where the "independent thinker challenge comes in.

Obviously still learning. It seems like these hybrid vehicles with significant battery packs are so focused on hitting the mpg numbers that they are missing out on what is really possible. Probably government mandates I guess.

The other thing to consider is having the windows tinted with a ceramic tint as that keeps out heat better than factory/non-ceramic tint