The popular Chrysler Pacifica minivan, manufactured in Windsor, Ontario, is set to receive a significant refresh in the second quarter of 2026. Tim Kuniskis, head of American brands for Stellantis, confirmed the timeline during an interview at the Detroit Auto Show media day on January 14, 2026.
Soaring Demand for Canadian-Made Minivans
This update comes on the heels of remarkable sales performance for the Pacifica in the Canadian market. Despite an overall sales decline for Stellantis in Canada during 2025, demand for the Windsor-built Pacifica skyrocketed by 95 per cent. The automaker sold 10,671 units of the model in Canada last year.
The success story extends beyond the Pacifica. Canadian sales of the Chrysler Grand Caravan, also built at the Windsor Assembly Plant, increased by 30 per cent to 6,017 vehicles in 2025. Collectively, these made-in-Windsor minivans propelled the Chrysler brand to a 61-per-cent sales increase in Canada, jumping from 10,394 vehicles in 2024 to 16,718 in 2025.
Windsor's Minivan Legacy Continues
The Windsor Assembly Plant has a storied history with the minivan segment, which Chrysler essentially invented over four decades ago. The first Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager models rolled off the Windsor line on November 2, 1983. The plant began manufacturing the current Pacifica nameplate as a minivan in February 2016 for the 2017 model year.
Today, the facility is a crucial production hub, building not only the Chrysler Pacifica but also the Chrysler Grand Caravan for Canada, the Chrysler Voyager for the U.S. market, and the award-winning Dodge Charger, recently named North American Car of the Year.
What to Expect from the 2026 Pacifica Refresh
While Kuniskis offered few specifics, simply stating, "It's a Pacifica. It's a minivan. It's cool," other company executives have hinted at what the refresh will entail. Chrysler brand CEO Christine Feuell previously indicated the update would be more than just cosmetic.
The revamp is expected to feature an updated interior, upgraded infotainment system, and design elements inspired by the futuristic Halcyon Concept vehicle unveiled in 2024. Furthermore, with the easing of U.S. emission standards and the revival of Stellantis's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division, Feuell suggested a high-performance Pacifica with an SRT badge could eventually become a reality for consumers.
The confirmation of the 2026 refresh solidifies the Pacifica's continued importance to Stellantis's portfolio and underscores the enduring significance of the Windsor Assembly Plant to both the local economy and the North American automotive landscape.
