Is the Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Trim Worth It?

If the concept of a luxury minivan strikes you as odd, you probably have kids, messy ones (I have yet to find any other kind). A family car can’t be too precious since it must withstand exploding snacks, sticky fingers, muddy gear and leaky science projects, and the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica toes that line. It capably herds a family and all their stuff with its roomy and well-appointed cabin, capable road manners and all the features that keep everyone happy. 

Related: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Review: Updated Minivan Is a Mega Win for Families

A new-for-2021 luxury-oriented Pacifica Pinnacle version adds upscale touches and features, along with a premium price tag. What do you get and are the extras family friendly? 

What You Get

The new Pinnacle model adds exterior bling as well interior refinement upgrades and convenience extras. Outside, it stands out from other trims with a satin carbon grille, platinum chrome mirror caps and other trim bits as well as a Pinnacle nameplate on the side door and other badges. 

The inside gets a total cabin material revamp. Quilted Nappa caramel leather seats with seat side bolsters and perforated inserts grace all three rows. The second-row seats come with removable lumbar pillows in matching quilted caramel leather and suede. The seats are accented by light tungsten piping and stitching, and the black suede headliner and Berber floormats coordinate well with the cabin’s caramel and black color palette.   

Aside from the fancy vibe, the Pinnacle also gets a larger center console, which Chrysler calls the Ultra console, that flows into the instrument panel for a more cohesive look. 

The Pacifica was updated for 2021 and is available in Touring, Touring L, Limited and Pinnacle trims. All versions use the same 287-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 that was in the previous model, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available across the model lineup, as is a hybrid powertrain (available with front-wheel drive only). 

What It Costs 

The all-wheel drive Pinnacle costs $54,885 (all prices include destination) — that’s significantly above much of the Pacifica trim lineup and more than the top trim of competitor minivans, such as the Honda Odyssey Elite ($48,995). 

A base FWD 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Touring starts at $36,690 and comes well equipped with standards such as a 10.1-inch touchscreen multimedia display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Amazon Alexa and a host of active safety and driver assistance features. 

The FWD Touring L model ($39,990) adds perforated leather trim seats, a memory driver seat, heated front-row seats, grocery bag hooks on the third-row seatbacks and third-row sunshades. 

The AWD-only Limited model ($49,885) adds extra goodies such as navigation, wireless device charging, a 13-speaker Alpine audio system, Nappa leather-trimmed seats, ventilated front seats, tri-pane moonroof, specific 18-inch polished wheels, hands-free sliding doors and liftgate, power-fold mirrors that auto-fold in Park and memory mirrors.

Aside from the extras detailed above, the Pinnacle adds safety features such as a surround-view camera and a parallel/perpendicular park assist system. Other standard convenience features include the FamCam cabin camera and the Uconnect Theater rear entertainment system, which are both available on other trims.  

Would I Want One?

The Pinnacle’s extras are lovely, but one big feature trade-off gives me pause. The Pinnacle model ditches the versatile Stow ’N Go second-row seats that tumble into the floor for traditional bucket seats that slide (the Stow ’N Gos don’t). While the underfloor storage bins ahead of the seats are still there, and useful, I’m a big fan of the Stow ’N Go system and would miss it. I’ve used it many times to quickly and easily turn the minivan into a cargo van for moving or hauling furniture. Why did Chrysler ditch Stow ’N Go?

“The captain’s chairs are a better fit for Pinnacle’s role as the elite model in the Pacifica lineup, with adjustable quilted caramel Nappa leather seats with second-row lumbar pillows,” said Darren Jacobs of Chrysler Brand Operations.   

“Also, the size of the new integrated console for the Pinnacle model, which offers enhanced cargo and storage space by extending further into the second row, restricts inclusion of second-row Stow ’N Go on Pinnacle models,” said Jacobs. 

The second-row seats can still be removed should you want to have a flat load floor for cargo, but they’re heavy and cumbersome to maneuver.  

Second, while the pillows are decadent, they’d quickly end up as roadkill. Since my three kids are still in boosters, they can’t use the pillows and instead tossed them around while I was driving. A possibly expensive (and distracting) game: They cost $75.95 each to replace. 

Would I upgrade to the Pinnacle? No. For my family, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Limited I reviewed in AWD trim hit the mark providing everyday usability and outstanding long-trip comfort. And we’re not that fancy. 

Related Video: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica: First Look

More From Cars.com:

• 2021 Chrysler Pacifica: 7 Things We Like (and 4 Not So Much)
• 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Delivers Big on Safety, Features for Small Price Bump
• 2021 Chrysler Pacifica: Don’t Have Kids? For a Minivan This Good, You Might Want Some 
• How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?

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