Episode 430: 2026 Chrysler Pacifica, 2026 Honda Odyssey
About this episode
The discussion revolves around the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey, two minivans that showcase the dwindling options in this segment. The hosts dive into the Pacifica's performance, noting its solid powertrain and spacious interior but criticize its dated design and high price point. They also compare it to the Odyssey, which is praised for its driving dynamics and innovative seating but criticized for its safety features. The episode highlights the unique challenges and features of both vehicles while reflecting on the minivan market's evolution.
driving.ca
"You can find my writing at Motor Trend at Hagerty and at driving.ca."
driving.ca is a website that writes about cars in Canada, giving reviews and tips for buyers.
driving.ca is a Canadian automotive website that publishes car reviews, news, and buying guides.
Motor Trend
"You can find my writing at Motor Trend at Hagerty and at driving.ca."
Motor Trend is a popular car magazine that writes about new cars, tests them, and gives tips on buying.
Motor Trend is a well-known automotive magazine and website that covers car reviews, industry news, and buying advice.
Hagerty
"You can find my writing at Motor Trend at Hagerty and at driving.ca."
Hagerty is a company that helps people insure and buy classic cars, and they also publish articles about car history.
Hagerty is a company that specializes in classic car insurance, collectibles, and automotive media content.
2026 Chrysler Pacifica
"[300.0s] I drove the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica."
The 2026 Chrysler Pacifica is a big van that can seat up to eight people. It has the latest tech and safety gadgets, making it a popular choice for families who need lots of room.
The 2026 Chrysler Pacifica is a full‑size minivan produced by the American automaker Chrysler. It serves as a family vehicle with seating for up to eight passengers and offers modern infotainment, safety features, and flexible cargo space.
Chrysler Grand Caravan
"Now, the reason I say it's if you got to listen to me because Chrysler also offers another van called the Grand Caravan, Chrysler Grand Caravan."
The Grand Caravan is a large van made by Chrysler, designed for families and people who need lots of space for passengers or cargo.
The Chrysler Grand Caravan is a minivan that has been produced in various generations since the 1980s, known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features.
Plymouth Voyager
"And if you go back in time, the Voyager name was actually from Plymouth."
The Plymouth Voyager is a small family van that people used for trips and moving stuff. It was made by the Plymouth brand, which belonged to Chrysler.
The Plymouth Voyager is a minivan that was produced by the Plymouth brand, which was part of Chrysler. It was sold in the 1990s and early 2000s before being discontinued.
Dodge Grand Caravan
"The Grand Caravan was a Dodge. The Grand Caravan was Dodge."
The Dodge Grand Caravan is a big family van that people used for road trips. It replaced the Plymouth Voyager and was made by Dodge.
The Dodge Grand Caravan is a larger minivan that succeeded the Plymouth Voyager. It was produced by Dodge, another brand under Chrysler (now Stellantis).
Stellantis
"Now, the reason this is happening is because no one's in charge of branding across Stellantis anymore."
Stellantis is a big company that owns car brands like Dodge and Plymouth. It was created when two large car companies joined together.
Stellantis is the multinational automotive company formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. It owns brands like Dodge, Plymouth, and many others.
Ford Hornet
"[416.0s] and Hornet. [417.9s] So there are three Dodges is what I'm saying."
The Ford Hornet is a small car that was made in the 1960s. It had a front engine and drove the rear wheels, which gave it good handling for its size.
The Ford Hornet was a compact car produced by Ford from 1965 to 1970. It featured a front‑engine, rear‑wheel drive layout and was known for its sporty handling and lightweight construction.
Chrysler Voyager
"Another important thing to discuss is if you're building a Voyager, there's no options."
The Voyager is a type of van made by Chrysler, designed to carry people and stuff in a roomy space.
The Chrysler Voyager is a mid-size minivan that has been in production since 2004, known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features.
Chrysler Carnival
"I think the hybrid version of the, of the Carnival does not come with all will drive."
The Carnival is a large van made by Chrysler that’s great for families because it can seat many people and has lots of room inside.
The Chrysler Carnival is a full‑size minivan that was produced from 2005 to 2017. It’s known for its spacious interior and family‑friendly features.
Ford Voyager
"[653.5s] that we weren't talking about Voyager anymore or [655.5s] grand caravan."
The Ford Voyager is a type of minivan that can carry several people and cargo. It was made by the company Ford for families who need a lot of space in their car.
The Ford Voyager is a mid-size minivan produced by the American automaker Ford. It was sold primarily in North America from 2002 to 2013 and is known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features.
power train
"[713.5s] the power train really worked out."
The power train is the part of a car that takes the engine’s energy and sends it to the wheels so you can move forward or backward.
The power train refers to the components that deliver engine power to the wheels, including the engine, transmission, driveshafts, and differential.
drive modes
"[717.5s] drive modes and stuff like that."
Drive modes let you pick how the car behaves—like a sport mode for quick starts or an eco mode to save fuel.
Drive modes are preset settings that adjust a vehicle’s throttle response, transmission shift points, and sometimes suspension or steering characteristics to suit different driving styles or conditions.
towing capacity
"[729.5s] It can tow apparently 3,600 pounds."
Towing capacity tells you how much weight a car can pull, like a trailer or boat, without overworking the engine.
Towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle can safely haul behind it, determined by its engine power, transmission strength, and chassis design.
power chain
"But the power chain is one of my favorite things about this. It sounds great."
A power chain is like a rubber belt that helps move the engine’s power to the wheels. It’s built to last and keep the car running smoothly.
The power chain is a flexible belt that transmits torque from the engine’s crankshaft to the transmission or other accessories. It is designed to be durable and quiet, making it a favorite component in many modern vehicles.
Nissan 350Z
"And she came in and like a 350 Z and like was trying to do to escape people."
The Nissan 350Z is a sporty car made by Nissan in the early 2000s. It has two seats, a V6 engine, and is often used for drifting or racing because it’s fun to drive and not too expensive.
The Nissan 350Z is a two-door sports coupe produced from 2003 to 2010, known for its rear‑wheel drive layout and V6 engine. It became popular among enthusiasts for its balance of performance, affordability, and aftermarket support.
stow and go seating
"[1131.5s] The car I had in particular had stow and go seating for the front and rear rows. [1134.5s] You mean the second and third rows?"
Stow‑and‑go seating means the seats can be folded down or taken out so you can carry bigger things in the back of the car. It’s a handy feature for families or people who need extra space sometimes.
Stow‑and‑go seating refers to a flexible interior layout where seats can be folded flat or removed entirely, allowing the vehicle’s cargo area to expand for larger items. It’s common in minivans and some SUVs to maximize versatility.
Stow-N-Go
"[1493.5s] They Stow‑N-Go. [1494.5s] Yeah, they Stow‑N-Go."
Stow‑N‑Go seats can be folded down into the floor so you have extra room for luggage or other items.
Stow‑N‑Go is a type of seat that folds flat into the floor or backrest, allowing more cargo space when not in use.
adaptive cruise
"And the adaptive cruise"
Adaptive cruise control helps keep a safe gap between your car and the one in front by automatically speeding up or slowing down, so you don’t have to constantly adjust your speed.
Adaptive cruise control is a driver‑assist feature that automatically adjusts a vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe following distance from the car ahead, using radar or camera sensors.
heated seats
"[1830.5s] there's heated seats [1831.5s] in the front [1832.5s] and second row seats."
Heated seats are like seat heaters that make the seat warm so you feel cozy when it’s chilly outside.
Heated seats use electric heating elements to warm the seat surface, providing comfort in cold weather.
ventilated seats
"[1833.5s] I've got ventilated [1834.5s] seats in the front."
Ventilated seats are like built‑in seat fans that help keep you cool by moving air through the seat.
Ventilated seats have small fans or perforations that circulate air, keeping the seat cooler and more breathable.
all-wheel drive
"And the all-wheel drive, right? Yeah, all-wheel drive,"
AWD means the car can send power to all four wheels at once, which helps it grip the road better when it's slippery or when you need extra traction.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a drivetrain that sends power to all four wheels simultaneously, improving traction and handling in various driving conditions.
rear second-row window shades
"[1921.5s] It also had rear [1923.5s] second-row window shades,"
These are the curtains or panels you see on the back windows of a car. They help keep the sun out and make the back seat more comfortable.
Rear second‑row window shades are interior panels that block light and reduce glare for passengers in the back seat.
Odyssey
"with the Odyssey. It's never been available even though it's based on the same platform as the Pilot."
The Odyssey is a big van made by Honda that’s popular for families because it has lots of room and comfy seats.
The Honda Odyssey is a full‑size minivan known for its spacious interior and family‑friendly features.
Pilot
"even though it's based on the same platform as the Pilot."
The Pilot is a crossover SUV from Honda that’s built on the same parts as the Odyssey but looks more like a truck‑style car.
The Honda Pilot is a midsize crossover SUV that shares its platform with the Odyssey, offering similar mechanicals but a more rugged body style.
10 speed automatic transmission
"[2239.5s] It's a 10 speed automatic transmission. [2240.5s] It does have that three [2241.5s] and I verified that my"
A transmission that changes gears by itself, with ten different gear settings to help the car run smoothly and efficiently.
A gearbox that automatically shifts through ten distinct gear ratios, providing smooth acceleration and efficient power delivery across a wide range of speeds.
CVT
"like kind of like a CVT in that it could rev up the engine"
A CVT is a special kind of automatic transmission that can shift through any gear ratio smoothly, so the car’s engine runs at the best speed for power and fuel efficiency.
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a type of automatic gearbox that can change seamlessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios, allowing the engine to stay in its optimal power band.
magic seat
"But Honda has this thing. I think it's called a magic seat."
A magic seat is a special back seat that can be folded flat or tucked into the trunk, so you can carry more stuff in a car. Honda made one to help people use space better.
A "magic seat" is a type of rear passenger seat that can be folded in multiple ways—often into the floor or into a compact shape—to maximize cargo space. Honda introduced this design to improve versatility in small cars.
bench seat
"[2426.5s] seven passenger seating with that back bench is enough."
A bench seat is a long seat that lets several people sit side‑by‑side without separate individual seats. It’s common in classic cars or big trucks.
A bench seat is a single, continuous seating surface that can accommodate multiple passengers in a row, typically found in older or larger vehicles to maximize interior capacity.
initial burst
"It's like you get that initial burst."
When you press the gas, a car can give a quick pop of speed right away. That quick pop is called the initial burst.
The "initial burst" refers to the quick surge of power a vehicle delivers when accelerating from a stop, often seen in electric cars due to instant torque.
hybrid
"[3268.5s] I've got a Hyundai Tucson hybrid."
A hybrid car runs on both gasoline and electricity, so it uses less gas than a regular car.
A hybrid vehicle uses both an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors to power the car, improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.
Daytona
"I do see the Daytona, but like I've seen maybe three or four."
The Daytona is a fast, sporty car made by Dodge. It has a big engine that gives it lots of speed and a bold look.
The Daytona is a high-performance sports car produced by the American manufacturer Dodge, known for its powerful V8 engine and aggressive styling.
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