![Chrysler's Pioneering Plug-in Hybrid Minivan Still Has Game Chrysler's Pioneering Plug-in Hybrid Minivan Still Has Game](https://cdn.magzter.com/1731070667/1737182438/articles/Ot63t4AW75hRbasLL9sys/CHRYSLERS-PIONEERING-PLUGIN-HYBRID-MINIVAN-STILL-HAS-GAME.jpg)
Whereas many who buy PHEVs fail to, you know, plug in, Ezra dutifully recharges the family car every night, yielding about 33 miles of all-electric range the next day, if you pedal it right.
"Over five years [and 40,000 miles] I've spent less than $2,000 on gasoline," says he, with the glee of an embezzler.
If you're like Ezra, the Pacifica PHEV could practically zero out your family's annual consumption of gasoline while providing all the comforts of a plush and premium seven-seat minivan. Twenty-inch cast aluminum wheels, 20 audio speakers, 17 charging outlets, USB ports and cup holders are among many super-numerary distinctions.
Alas, so few are like Ezra. Many owners will neglect to plug in regularly and when that happens the thrift runs backward. During my two-week test, whenever the battery reached 1% and the big V6 took over, the efficiency plummeted, from an EPA-estimated 82 mpg-e (stipulated) to average around 30 mpg. That's still better than the standard Pacifica, which uses a version of the same, naturally aspirated 3.6-liter DOHC V6 (287 hp) paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Its fuel economy is pretty dismal -an EPA-combined rating of 22 mpg. On the other hand, the PHEV version costs $8,605 more. Insert eyeroll here. Spit take if you got 'em. Come on, Chrysler. At those rates Ezra would be a little old lobsterman before he broke even on fuel costs.
This story is from the January 18, 2025 edition of The Wall Street Journal.
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This story is from the January 18, 2025 edition of The Wall Street Journal.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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