Steve's Pacifica replacement thread
 

Figured I would create a thread for my shopping process for a Pacifica replacement, open to thoughts and suggestions!

Replacing our 2023 Pacifica Pinnacle PHEV. We've been very happy with it, 29,000 miles with no serious issues. We love the PHEV powertrain and would like to replace it with another PHEV or perhaps an EV. The only real fully ICE car we are considering is a Mercedes GLS450 or perhaps a BMW X7. We have twin 11 year olds and a big dog, and we move around with other people quite often so we need a big vehicle with 3 rows.

Won't be buying another minivan, we would just buy this out and keep it since the PHEV Pacifica is no more.

Cars we are considering:

Mercedes GLS450
BMW X7
Lexus TX550h+
Rivian R1S
Lucid Gravity
Volvo XC90 PHEV
Volvo EX90 EV
Kia EV9
Hyundai Ioniq 9

We may very well buy the Pacifica out and keep it for another year or so in the hopes that over the next year or so there will be more options. GLS is due a refresh this year, maybe that will be PHEV since the GLE is, I hear the next gen VW Atlas is supposed to be PHEV, we also have the all new EV Highlander...

The other day I did stop off and drive a XC90 PHEV and really liked it. I think they are great looking outside, and inside. The refreshes inside really have elevated it and tech is a dramatic improvement. They really do drive nice too. Issue is its tight inside, I don't think it will be big enough for us.

The EX90 essentially is an EV XC90, but being an EV they had to add a bunch of odd EV quirks, pop out door handles, glass roof that doesn't open and has no shade, we're instrument cluster that moves with the steering wheel. It is slightly bigger inside and I would be fine with it if my wife liked it. Will take her by to see them.

I also drove a TX500h F Sport, I really liked that. Spacewise inside it felt good, not as big inside as the GLS. TX550h+s are very hard to find, so there would be a wait. Ride was composed and well damped while still being comfortable, pretty quiet and I like the layout of the interior. I actually think I would get the F Sport, but the 550h+ doesn't come in one. I surprisingly liked the 500h drivetrain and it never felt buzzy or CVT dron-ey. Issue is because of the lack of rebates or any sort of good lease deals, at 87K the 550h+ would cost as much or more monthly than a lease on a GLS450 at $105k...the GLS IMO is a no brainer in that situation.

I have driven an R1S and really like that as well, we looked at a Gravity but haven't driven one. My wife liked the Gravity a lot but I don't care for the looks and the leases have been terrible...

Happy to hear anybody else's thoughts. I will update this as we drive more cars and I get my wife in to see some.

I've seen several Hyundai Ioniq 9's, and I like them. Had really good experiences with two Ioniq's I leased. Just check to make sure Hyundai has resolved the LV battery issue as a friend of mine had is Ioniq 5 stop on the freeway due to this issue

Yeah we're going to look at them. I really want at least 325 miles of range in an EV...that makes the EV9 for instance a little short

I'm really intrigued by the upcoming Rivian R2, so I stopped by the Rivian store and checked out the R1S models there--really nice. Can option it with 420 mile range.

The Volvos look great.
I always liked them.

Who makes Volvo now?
Where is it made?

Anyone know please tell us.

Yeah the one I drove was a Tri Motor, we would likely get a dual motor. They don't have a TON of room inside though, and they are expensive are the only issues.

Geely owns Volvo, still built in Sweden.

I think they are very classy looking

https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/...jpg?quality=85

https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/...ong-lead-5.jpg

GLS to be on brand with your car lol!

The XC90 is a very nice car but esoteric, I'm not sure how that will mesh with you

given your range requirement, i’d just get a pallisade hybrid… 619mi. range.


it will still be quiet, and while a phev is an attempt at ‘cake and eat it’, i’d probably just get a hybrid instead. a lot cheaper.

Left to my own devices I would choose the GLS...but we both really like the PHEV. I really wish they would do a PHEV GLS

I also would like to try and manage the cost, but it looks like really whatever we choose is going to be a $1,250 lease.

Neither of us want a non PHEV hybrid. We would open the search up to other ICE vehicles too if that were the case.

It’s a very competitive market. No bad choices here.. I will say the 550h has some f sport bits like thr bbk. The hyundai and kia’s they are giving away if you want a deal. My cousin just got a new X7 M sport (I-6) and loves is. Good luck.

I just wish there were more PHEV 3 rows. Would definitely consider a PHEV Grand Highlander for instance to keep cost down

all the phev’s available…

https://talquin.chooseev.com/compare_phev/

even filtering 2025 and 2026, there’s really not that much out there.

Thats actually missing some, no TX on there, no GLE or GLC etc etc

Going down to 2 rows opens up lots of options but we just can get there yet. Would open up GLE, X5, RX...

I also sat in a high spec new RX at the dealer and I gotta say, its very nice.