Yep. Keeps you from having to use mirrors to see rear facing kids too.

You’ll find the Pacifica is a better vehicle, as long as its reliable.

 

Have you driven the regular gas Pacifica? What're your thoughts on the gas version vs the hybrid version?

 

Not in this go around. We got a 2017 gas Pacifica for my parents back when it was new. We really liked the drive then too. However, as Steve kind of alluded to about reliability, that van actually continually has transmission issues that are pretty well documented. Chrysler doesn't really have a fix as of yet - they just point dealers to reflashing the transmission control module. I haven't seen as many complaints on it in successive model years. Definitely worse in the winter months. My parents heavily utilize the cargo space and stow and go on the 2nd row is pretty critical for them.

On our prior Odyssey, we went with the 10 speed unit on the Elite (now on all trims) didn't have any issues on the transmission there.

I do think the ride quality and drive of the Pacifica is nice, when it's smooth. I'm a little concerned about getting another Pacifica for my parents now that their powertrain warranty is about to expire this December and they haven't really figured out a true solution/mitigation for the rough transmission issues that we've had. Again, some signs that it's not as big of an issue any more. We may look into an outgoing Sedona with the front stowing 2nd row, still need to go measure the floor space on those.

One bit of difference of the hybrid vs gas Pacifica, the gas, with its 2nd row stow and go, can also do the pivot and slide, keeping a forward facing car seat in place. Kind of a nice feature to have 3rd row access. Our daughter is rear facing, so that function wouldn't be beneficial for us since the seat has no where to really pivot to, and people have to use the opposite side for any sort of access.

 

Like the DCTs used in the Ford Focus and Fiesta, the ZF-sourced 9-speed automatic used in a number of FCA and Honda/Acura products has been troublesome for years, and generated a lot of customer complaints. It's a shame that your your parents had trouble with theirs......Steve apparently got a reasonably reliable one on his former Pacifica...from that he told us, his troubles were mostly the infotainment system.

One thing that can minimize tranny problems in the winter (I've found out from experience) is to slowly warm the transmission up at low speeds, in low gears, with minimal shifting, and, as the fluid warms, it will then often shift smoother into higher gears. Some transmissions do not allow upshifting into the highest gears until the engine warms, for emission reasons.

 

Yes, even with a fully warmed up transmission the issues remain present. For the FCA application of the 9 speed, it seems like there are units that are problematic, and others that aren't. Chrysler isn't willing to do warranty replacements. A lot hinges on how willing a dealer is to force the issue on the warranty claims. Haven't been able to get home to explore that further though.

 

I didnt have any issues with the transmission on the 2017 insofar as needing to have it repaired, but it didnt shift well. The 2020 seems better.

 

BTW, I don't think there are issues with the ZF 9-spd transmission reliability - but depending on calibration, the shifts can be a little firmer than people are used to. I have the same transmission on my 2018 Odyssey now and I have no issues with it.

If you go to OdyClub, you'll see that all the issues highlighted for the ZF are related to shift-quality not any issues with reliability. It isn't GM slushbox-smooth for sure but I actually like the positive engagement and firm shift quality of this transmission (it's usually just in the first few gears). In fact, one of the reasons that I upgraded to the 2018 Odyssey was because I was having issues with my previous 2015 Odyssey at just 56,000 miles where the shift quality become very poor and the transmission felt disjointed (like there was 'slack' in the drivetrain)

My dad has a Pacifica with the same transmission and I feel that the shift quality there is better than in the Odyssey but there is an occasional driveline 'oscillation' that I've noted at low speeds - not sure if they've resolved that yet or not.

 

Our 2017 unit is definitely more problematic than the large majority of owners out there. Which is why we'll be looking to either upgrade that to a new year 2020/2021 or jump to something like the Sedona.

I think FCA typically does a good job in design for vehicle's intended function, especially with the Pacifica. Which is why many of the little nooks/cubbies/usage points in the Pacifica are so great.