Just to see how well this 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan does with an aggressive driver on a long distance drive, Nathan had a turn. That’s right, after Roman and his wife drove it from Jackson Hole, WY to our office in Boulder, CO, it immediately was rearing to go on another trip. This time, I took the Pacifica Hybrid to Great Sand Dunes National Park, Trinidad and Alamosa, Colorado.
We started with a mostly full-of-gas minivan with a full battery. Total range, according to our onboard computer: 448 miles.
Then we went to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, about a half hour out of Alamosa, CO. By this point in time, we were extremely low on fuel. At one point, I though about finding a charging station before fueling up. Just to see what would happen with no fuel. Then I dreaded the possible outcome with my family on board, and opted to gas up instead.
The 16.5-gallon fuel tank was absolutely empty by then. We made it a total of 480.7 miles since the Pacifica was filled. Keep in mind: we went up in elevation from 5,200 feet just out side of Denver to over 8,000 feet in the National Park. Add to that a few Rocky Mountain peaks to cross and we definitely pushed the efficiency numbers down. Still, our average economy was 29.1 mpg, we even went as high as 32 mpg once we were on flat highways headed home.
Over the four day trip, we drove in comfort and had plenty of spare power for passing traffic. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is no sports car, but it was an outstanding long-distance ride.
This is how Roman did…
