The Chrysler Pacifica does 24.4 mpg combined (22.3 city, 27.9 highway), which works out to about $1,574 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.6L 6-cyl Plug-in hybrid does 30.4 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 17 — a difference of $996 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Chrysler Pacifica engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Chrysler Pacifica ranges from 30.4 down to 17 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $996 a year across 4 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl Plug-in hybrid | 29.6 / 30.6 | 2017–2026 | $1,263 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 18.8 / 28 | 2017–2027 | $1,745 | |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 15.8 / 22.8 | 2005–2008 | $2,133 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 15 / 21 | 2004–2004 | $2,259 |
What that actually costs
The Chrysler Pacifica burns a gallon every 24.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 492 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.131 |
| Fuel per year | $1,574 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,870 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$356 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,673 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chrysler Pacifica gives up 5.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.9 out there against 22.3 in town, a 25% drop worth $346 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22.3 mpg | $1,722 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.9 mpg | $1,376 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.6 mpg (25%) | Typical for its type |
How the Pacifica changed over the years
The Pacifica peaked in 2018 at 27 mpg (25.5 city, 30.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2004 at 17 — 10 mpg apart, or $837 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2027 car does 22. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2026 | 24 / 29 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2025 | 24 / 29 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2024 | 24 / 29 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2023 | 24 / 29 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2022 | 24 / 29 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 24 / 29 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2020 | 24 / 29 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2019 | 23.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2018 | 25.5 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2017 | 25 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2008 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2007 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2006 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2005 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2004 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 26 EPA ratings of the Chrysler Pacifica — 4 engines across 2004–2027. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,673. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chrysler Pacifica get?
24.4 mpg combined on average — 22.3 in the city and 27.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2027.
How much does a Chrysler Pacifica cost in fuel per year?
About $1,574 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,870 over five years, or 0.131 dollars a mile.
Which Pacifica engine is the most economical?
The 3.6L 6-cyl Plug-in hybrid at 30.4 mpg, against 17 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $996 a year.
Is the Pacifica good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Pacifica figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Chrysler Pacifica is $2,673 against the $1,574 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 32 and 17 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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