2017+ Chrysler Pacifica Minivan Forums banner

Is the ride on the softer side?

1782 Views 39 Replies 20 Participants Last post by  ThisSuckersElectrical
I have driven my Pacifica gas for about 3 weeks with 300 miles on it. The ride feels really soft to me and the body roll is on the upper end within all my cars so far. My tire pressure is cold 36 and hot 42 psi. Is there anything I can do to make the ride more “stiff” ?
21 - 40 of 40 Posts
I tried 2 before I bought, the 20" tires was the deal breaker for us. They are like night and day.
My test drive was a 2019 Pacifica rental I got stuck with on a business trip. It had the 18" rims. I was looking at buying an SUV at the time but the Pacifica really impressed me with it's cavernous interior and great handling in comparison to a big SUV. I did my homework and bought one with the 20" rims and S package. I'm no fan of the floaty mush ride so the firm ride of this van suits me just fine. The 20" rims make for even better handling than the rental.
  • Like
Reactions: 5
Mine is 2021 Touring AWD with 18" wheels. I find the ride an excellent compromise between handling and comfort. Not sure how different the AWD ride is from FWD, but I'm extremely happy with the ride. Definitely not "floaty" in my estimation, and I've driven a lot of vehicles in my life.
  • Like
Reactions: 3
I went to 20" wheels from 17" stock on a Ram and hated it, ended going back to 17's. Every bump could be felt and the bad ones sent shock waves into the vehicle. There isn't much sidewall rubber height between the wheel edge and ground for absorbing road irregularities with a larger wheel/lower profile tire set-up. Its always a compromise between ride quality and performance. The type of tire can make a lot of difference, too, whether it's a soft performance tire, which wears quickly, but has good grip, or an all-season type more set up for general driving and long life but not cornering. These are heavy vehicles and have max tire pressure of 44 psi or higher, I would try closer to that and see if it stiffens things to your liking without making the ride too harsh. After all, they are mini-vans, not sports cars. I love the way my 18" wheels and stock Nexen's ride and the general handling of the PacHy but don't expect it to take curves like a go-cart. I generally keep 40 psi in them.
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 2
I have driven my Pacifica gas for about 3 weeks with 300 miles on it. The ride feels really soft to me and the body roll is on the upper end within all my cars so far. My tire pressure is cold 36 and hot 42 psi. Is there anything I can do to make the ride more “stiff” ?
I believe you should test drive 2017 Pacifica Limited that I have I remember reading in newer once gong to soften the ride what year is yours?
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I believe you should test drive 2017 Pacifica Limited that I have I remember reading in newer once gong to soften the ride what year is yours?
2022 Touring L gas
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I went to 20" wheels from 17" stock on a Ram and hated it, ended going back to 17's.
I can't imagine trying to compare a truck to a minivan and using it as a basis for how the van will drive....
  • Like
Reactions: 3
I can't imagine trying to compare a truck to a minivan and using it as a basis for how the van will drive....
Well, I feel some but I will never spent money to go to 18~ 20 " rims and tiers with all the potholes driving on busy rods you will damage the tires and the rims, it is a Van not a sports car. Yes I have a 2017 Limited Gas. with hard suspension.
I can't imagine trying to compare a truck to a minivan and using it as a basis for how the van will drive....
Agreed 100%. No comparison whatsoever between minivan vs truck suspensions forget tires completely. I've never owned a truck that didn't have the stiffest, hardest ride imaginable especially since they've all been 4x4's. My pickup below with my minivan left.

As a tidbit some reviews I came across when comparing the drive of the 4 Minivan Competitors (Toyota, Honda, Kia, Chrysler) called the Chrysler Pacifica the one for people buying a minivan that really want a truck, lol. :)
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Well, I feel some but I will never spent money to go to 18~ 20 " rims and tiers with all the potholes driving on busy rods you will damage the tires and the rims, it is a Van not a sports car. Yes I have a 2017 Limited Gas. with hard suspension.
If you manage to bust a wheel with a 50 series sidewall, you're doing something wrong.
Just because it's a van doesn't mean it has to be soul sucking and sloppy to drive.
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Go buy a Sienna SE/XSE Sport Edition, it comes with the stiffest suspension, and even the smallest road imperfections will cause it to shake all over, with various interior components making all kinds of noise, like a symphony orchestra. It was my first minivan and it looked good: lowed body, big wheels low profile tire, sport body kit. Aside from the vibration and noise, it didn't give me any sense of a sports car. I sold this piece of junk in less than a year.
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: 2
Mine is 2021 Touring AWD with 18" wheels. I find the ride an excellent compromise between handling and comfort. Not sure how different the AWD ride is from FWD, but I'm extremely happy with the ride. Definitely not "floaty" in my estimation, and I've driven a lot of vehicles in my life.
X2.
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Go buy a Sienna SE/XSE Sport Edition, it comes with the stiffest suspension, and even the smallest road imperfections will cause it to shake all over, with various interior components making all kinds of noise, like a symphony orchestra. It was my first minivan and it looked good: lowed body, big wheels low profile tire, sport body kit. Aside from the vibration and noise, it didn't give me any sense of a sports car. I sold this piece of junk in less than a year.
My advice is, even if you can't afford a real sports car like a Porsche 911, don't try to turn a minivan into something it's not.
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: 3
I am 100% with you, but when we took our 2017 Pacifica Limited X country 2016 driving on Rt 80 80 + I was telling My wife this van handles the road like a NASCAR. But we all so have 2007 MX 5.
My advice is, even if you can't afford a real sports car like a Porsche 911, don't try to turn a minivan into something it's not.
Making vehicles do things they were never intended to do is the most fun part about modding vehicles.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I can't imagine trying to compare a truck to a minivan and using it as a basis for how the van will drive....
Comparison point wasn't between a truck and a minivan, but between 17" wheel with 70 series tire and 20" wheel with 50/55 series tire. When there's a shorter tire sidewall to keep overall diameter the same with a bigger wheel, there's less absorption of road bumps because there's less rubber height to flex between road and wheel. The truck was just a personal example of experiencing the effect. No question truck body on frame and suspension tuning are different than a unibody frame minivan tuned for comfort, but any suspension relies on the tire and other rubber-based components for damping transmission of road bumps to the passengers. I have a Type S Pacifica Hybrid Limited and the upgraded Type S wheels were changed from 17" to 18". Whether they changed suspension or tire ride characteristics for the larger wheel option I do not know, but car rides sweet. The hybrid models are heavy with that big battery so any handling help is appreciated. I don't know why they didn't go up to a 20" wheel like the non-hybrid Pacifica Type S, maybe the ride was considered too harsh for this customer profile.
See less See more
  • Haha
Reactions: 1
Making vehicles do things they were never intended to do is the most fun part about modding vehicles.
Every time I see the so-called sporty version of the Sienna, I can't help but point and laugh, full of disdain.
Every time I see the so-called sporty version of the Sienna, I can't help but point and laugh, full of disdain.
I mean, the Sienna drives like hot garbage no matter the package along with being a hateful rattle box inside.

The 20" wheel S package Pacificas however are plenty of fun to toss around, even moreso after a set of coilovers.
Just like any other vehicle, you do mods to improve the attributes that you're not happy with.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Go buy a Sienna SE/XSE Sport Edition, it comes with the stiffest suspension, and even the smallest road imperfections will cause it to shake all over, with various interior components making all kinds of noise, like a symphony orchestra. It was my first minivan and it looked good: lowed body, big wheels low profile tire, sport body kit. Aside from the vibration and noise, it didn't give me any sense of a sports car. I sold this piece of junk in less than a year.
If any of my Pacificas did that they would be gone.
  • Like
Reactions: 2
21 - 40 of 40 Posts
Top