Just traded my 2014 Chevy Volt in for a 2017 Pacifica Hybrid. I loved the Volt, but my wife and I are getting older and the Volt was becoming to difficult to get in and out of. I was hoping that Chevy would come out with a MiniVan with the Volt drive train but it hasn't happened. So, when Chrysler released the Pacifica Hybrid, I made the change. The Pacifica Hybrid doesn't get quite the all electric range that the Volt would get but it's close. Our driving consists mostly of short trips of less than 30 miles so we seldom need to put in any gas. I am glad I made the change.
With some sadness I must report...
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Congrats, mocnarf!
My wife has trouble with her knee, which makes getting in/out of the Volt difficult for her. I've been reading up on the Pacifica but having had less than stellar experience with a Dodge and a Plymouth minivan in the past we are hesitant to jump on another Chrysler product. But it sure seems if Chrysler can keep the Pacifica reliability in check, it would make a fine car for us.
We did stop at a Chevy dealer this weekend to check out the Bolt. The appearance of the car was pretty polarizing for her, she couldn't get over the styling and short front end, and she's not quite ready to go pure electric yet. She did like the interior, the seats worked for her, and it had a fair amount of room, so that was a plus.
We may end up with a used Equinox, CRV, or Rav4 until someone produces an affordable PHEV CUV/SUV, preferably with a Voltec-like drive train. I'm not that interested in the Mitsu PHEV as I'm not confident in their ability to stay in the market, and there seem to be some promising vehicles from other manufacturers on the horizon.
My wife has trouble with her knee, which makes getting in/out of the Volt difficult for her. I've been reading up on the Pacifica but having had less than stellar experience with a Dodge and a Plymouth minivan in the past we are hesitant to jump on another Chrysler product. But it sure seems if Chrysler can keep the Pacifica reliability in check, it would make a fine car for us.
We did stop at a Chevy dealer this weekend to check out the Bolt. The appearance of the car was pretty polarizing for her, she couldn't get over the styling and short front end, and she's not quite ready to go pure electric yet. She did like the interior, the seats worked for her, and it had a fair amount of room, so that was a plus.
We may end up with a used Equinox, CRV, or Rav4 until someone produces an affordable PHEV CUV/SUV, preferably with a Voltec-like drive train. I'm not that interested in the Mitsu PHEV as I'm not confident in their ability to stay in the market, and there seem to be some promising vehicles from other manufacturers on the horizon.
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Very cool, congrats! Please report back all the juicy details of what you like and don't like after you've had it for a while. 
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Our local Chrysler dealer has us on their list, and claims that they are fully equipped and trained to service the Pacifica Hybrid (130 mile round trip to nearest Volt dealer). We maintain a "Grandparent Camp" here in Montrose, CO, and when our gang flies in here for skiing at Crested Butte or Telluride, the Volt is simply too small for their daytrips. So the Pacifica might just be the ticket, especially since our trips into town from our country place rarely exceed 20 miles round trip!
Looking forward to your reports!
Looking forward to your reports!
You do have to kinda scrunch into the Volt and the Pacifica should solve that issue for you. Hope you enjoy it.
So funny. My wife is in love with Bolt EV. She likes everything about it, including the front end. Not so much for the front end design per se but because it makes the Bolt shorter. Go figure.
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I finally got the see the Bolt up close when I took my car to the dealer for service last week. I like the overall look but the front is definitely short. I sat in the back seats and the outward seats were quite roomy (I am 5'8") but the middle seat was uncomfortable as it was raised and felt like I was sitting on a lump.
Back on topic, the Pacifica Hybrid looks like a pretty decent minivan. I like the styling as it looks more like a SUV than a van. Dodge/Chrysler minivans are not the same as they were in the 80's. They tend to be innovation-leaders so it should serve you well. Time will tell how well the battery management system is but I would assume they would model it after the Volt and not the Leaf.
Have her try a CMax Energi. Just like Dr. Lyle, the found of this site, I went from the volt to the energi specifically for more room and comfort (in/out is CUV like).
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I've sat in a Bolt and can confirm it is much easier to get in and out of than the Volt. Higher seating position and larger door openings. I'm excited for the Bolt, I hope GM includes ACC and Moonroof options for the 2018 MY. That will get me to pull the trigger and trade in my gen 1.
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Congratulations! Truly hope you like it and let us know how it goes.
No apologies necessary. Your money was GM's to lose, and you couldn't wait for them any longer, so they lost. That is just how markets work.
No apologies necessary. Your money was GM's to lose, and you couldn't wait for them any longer, so they lost. That is just how markets work.
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