The Chrysler Pacifica’s powertrain story is simpler than most vehicles in its segment: one engine family in two configurations — a conventional 3.6L V6 across the gas lineup and a plug-in hybrid version of that same engine on the PHEV trims. No diesel. No turbocharged four-cylinder. No confusion about which engine fits which trim. You’re choosing between gas and hybrid, and understanding the numbers that come with each.
This guide covers the full engine and transmission specs for both powertrains, explains Engine Stop-Start and what it means in daily driving, breaks down the fuel economy numbers, and shows what changes between FWD and AWD configurations. The trim-level breakdown and feature availability are in the 2026 Pacifica overview.
What engine does the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica use?
The gas Pacifica lineup — Voyager LX through Pinnacle — uses the 3.6L Pentastar V6 24V VVT with Engine Stop-Start (ESS). This engine has been in production in the Pacifica since the nameplate’s return, refined over multiple generations to the current state of tune. It’s a naturally aspirated six-cylinder with variable valve timing — no turbocharging, no supercharging, straightforward long-term reliability.
The PHEV uses the same 3.6L V6 base architecture but in a plug-in hybrid application (engine code EH3), paired with dual electric motors through a fundamentally different transmission. The gas and PHEV powertrains share the engine displacement and cylinder count — but almost nothing else about the drivetrain system.
How much horsepower and torque does the 2026 Pacifica have?
The gas 3.6L Pentastar V6 produces 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. For a vehicle in this class and weight range, those figures are well-matched to the job — merging onto a highway fully loaded with seven passengers and luggage, passing on a two-lane SD road, or maintaining speed on I-90 in a headwind.
The Pacifica PHEV’s combined system output is 260 horsepower — lower than the gas V6 despite the hybrid assist, because the EFLITE SI-EVT transmission is optimized for efficiency rather than peak output. In everyday driving the PHEV feels comparable to the gas Pacifica; the horsepower difference isn’t meaningfully noticeable in routine family use.
What is Engine Stop-Start (ESS), and can you turn it off?
Engine Stop-Start automatically shuts the engine off when the vehicle comes to a complete stop — at a red light, in a drive-through, at a railroad crossing — and restarts it when you release the brake. The purpose is fuel economy: eliminating idle fuel consumption at stops adds up over the course of daily driving.
The system is smooth in the Pacifica. The restart is calibrated to be quick and quiet — not the lurch that some buyers experience in earlier-generation stop-start implementations.
ESS can be manually disabled via a button, and the disable state does not persist between ignition cycles — the system resets to on every time you start the vehicle. This is consistent across most vehicles with stop-start systems. If you drive in conditions where frequent stop-start cycling is undesirable (bumper-to-bumper traffic with high HVAC demand, for example), the off button is accessible and straightforward to use.
What transmission does the 2026 Pacifica use?
The gas Pacifica uses a 9-speed 948TE automatic transmission. The nine-speed unit is well-matched to the Pentastar V6 — it keeps the engine in its efficient power band at highway speeds and manages the gear spread well when towing or carrying a full passenger load.
The PHEV uses the EFLITE SI-EVT transmission — an electrically variable system with no traditional gear steps. Rather than shifting between fixed ratios, the EFLITE continuously varies the output ratio using the electric motor system. It’s a fundamentally different design optimized for hybrid operation, and it’s what enables seamless transitions between electric-only, hybrid, and engine-only operation.
How fuel efficient is the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica?
The EPA fuel economy ratings for the gas Pacifica:
| Configuration | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L V6 FWD (all gas trims) | 19 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg |
| 3.6L V6 AWD (Select / Limited / Pinnacle) | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | Up to 20 mpg* |
*AWD combined figure is Chrysler’s estimate; official EPA AWD rating was pending at time of publication. Confirm current EPA figures at time of purchase.
The 19-gallon fuel tank on full Pacifica gas trims (Voyager LX uses a smaller 16.5-gallon tank) translates to a highway range of approximately 530 miles at 28 mpg highway — more than enough to run Bowdle to Sioux Falls and back on a single tank with margin.
For buyers on the fence between FWD and AWD purely on fuel economy grounds: the 2-mpg combined difference is real but rarely the deciding factor. On 15,000 annual miles at $3.50/gallon, the AWD fuel premium works out to roughly $150–$175 per year. That’s usually well within the value of the AWD capability for South Dakota winter driving conditions.
What are the full specs for the Pacifica PHEV powertrain?
The PHEV powertrain is distinct enough to warrant its own specification summary:
| Engine | 3.6L V6 Plug-In Hybrid (EH3) |
| Transmission | EFLITE SI-EVT (electrically variable) |
| System Output | 260 hp (combined V6 + dual electric motors) |
| Battery | 16 kWh lithium-ion |
| EV Range (EPA est.) | 32 miles |
| MPGe Combined | 82 MPGe |
| Hybrid MPG (battery depleted) | 30 mpg combined |
| Total Range (full charge + full tank) | Up to 520 miles |
| Onboard Charger | 6.6 kW (standard on both PHEV trims) |
| Level 2 Charge Time (~) | Approximately 2 hours (240V) |
| Level 1 Charge Time (~) | Approximately 14 hours (120V household outlet) |
| DC Fast Charging | Not available |
| Drivetrain | FWD only — no AWD available |
The PHEV-specific buying considerations — charging setup, cold-weather range, and the South Dakota practicality case — are covered in full in the Pacifica PHEV guide.
What changes between FWD and AWD configurations?
AWD is available on Pacifica Select, Limited, and Pinnacle gas trims. It adds all-wheel drive traction and slightly adjusts the fuel economy numbers — 22 mpg combined (FWD) vs. up to 20 mpg combined (AWD). Everything else about the powertrain, including engine output, transmission, and towing rating, remains the same between FWD and AWD versions of the same trim.
The AWD system in the Pacifica is not a selectable or part-time 4WD system — it operates as a full-time AWD setup that continuously manages torque distribution between front and rear axles. It engages proactively rather than reactively, which matters in slippery conditions where a reactive system would only engage after wheel slip has already occurred. For winter driving in central South Dakota, that proactive engagement is the practical difference between AWD and FWD.
2026 Chrysler Pacifica — Full Specs Quick Reference
| Spec | Gas V6 | PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.6L Pentastar V6 24V VVT | 3.6L V6 Plug-In Hybrid (EH3) |
| Transmission | 9-speed 948TE automatic | EFLITE SI-EVT |
| Horsepower | 287 hp | 260 hp (system) |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | — |
| Drivetrain | FWD or AWD (Select, Limited, Pinnacle) | FWD only |
| Fuel Tank | 19 gal (Pacifica); 16.5 gal (Voyager LX) | PHEV hybrid system |
| EPA City / Hwy / Combined | 19 / 28 / 22 mpg (FWD) | 82 MPGe / 30 mpg hybrid |
| Max Tow (w/ Tow Group) | 3,600 lbs (Limited / Pinnacle only) | Not available |
| EV Range | N/A | 32 miles (EPA est.) |
| Total Range | ~530 mi highway (19-gal FWD) | Up to 520 mi (full charge + full tank) |
- Gas Pacifica: 287 hp / 262 lb-ft, 3.6L Pentastar V6, 9-speed 948TE, 22 mpg combined FWD
- PHEV: 260 hp system, EFLITE SI-EVT, 32 mi EV range, 82 MPGe, 30 mpg hybrid
- AWD available on gas Select, Limited, and Pinnacle — not on PHEV; fuel economy is up to 20 mpg combined with AWD
- 19-gallon fuel tank on all Pacifica gas trims; Voyager LX uses a 16.5-gallon tank
- Engine Stop-Start is standard; it can be manually disabled per ignition cycle
- PHEV delivers up to 520 miles total range on a full charge and full tank; no DC fast charging available
Common Questions
What the numbers mean for your buying decision
The Pacifica’s powertrain is deliberately uncomplicated — and that’s a good thing. The 3.6L V6 is a known quantity with a long production history and strong reliability record. The 9-speed automatic is well-matched to it. The PHEV version is the one variable that requires honest evaluation of your driving pattern and home charging situation.
If you’re in the gas lineup, the powertrain decision mostly comes down to FWD vs. AWD — covered in the trims guide. If you’re weighing the PHEV, that deserves a separate honest conversation about home charging and daily mileage — the full breakdown is in the PHEV guide. The broader picture on the full 2026 lineup is in the 2026 Pacifica overview.
Lexy Tabbert is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Beadle’s Chrysler Center in Bowdle, South Dakota. She writes and oversees all vehicle content on this site with one goal: give South Dakota buyers accurate, useful information before they come in. Every spec and figure published here is verified against OEM sources before it goes live. When she’s not writing, she’s working with the team in Bowdle helping families find the right vehicle for the way they actually live and drive.
