America’s most efficient minivan now that the Pacifica PHEV is gone

Stellantis just hit the eject button on hybrids in the U.S., pulling every plug-in from its lineup—including the Wrangler 4xe and the Pacifica—in one clean sweep. That move basically wiped out the plug-in minivan conversation overnight.

You’d think that leaves the VW ID.Buzz standing alone as the efficiency champ, but nope. The electric love bus is doing the most on-brand thing possible and taking a gap year for 2026 to “find itself,” leaving the segment weirdly empty.

Base Trim Engine

2.5L Dynamic Force I4 Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

CVTi-S CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

245 HP @6000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

176 lb.-ft. @ 4400 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

36/36/36 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Nickel metal hydride (NiMH)

Make

Toyota

Model

Sienna

So if fuel economy is the priority—and with a hybrid Honda Odyssey still nowhere to be found—it really comes down to two vans. You’re choosing between the hybrid-only Toyota Sienna and the hybrid version of the Kia Carnival.

Here’s the quick lay of the land for hybrid minivans as we head into early 2026.

Stellantis’ plug-ins made a splash, but now the lineup is gone

The Dodge Hornet vanishes too, leaving the Tonale as a gas-only option

Credit: Stellantis

Stellantis didn’t have a massive plug-in lineup, but it punched well above its weight. The Wrangler 4xe was a genuine hit—America’s best-selling PHEV for several years—and it was still putting up strong numbers in 2025.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe held its own too, especially with buyers who actually use their SUVs. Turns out off-road folks warmed up to plug-ins pretty quickly once they lived with them.

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The Dodge Hornet is officially gone, both gas and plug-in versions, and it never exactly set sales records on fire. Still, it had its charms for anyone looking for a small, stylish SUV.

It was basically a rebadged Alfa Romeo Tonale, which will stick around in the U.S., just without any hybrid option.

Stellantis points to new rules and changing buyer tastes

Credit: Stellantis

To explain the shift, here’s a quote from a Stellantis spokesperson, as reported by CarBuzz:

A Dodge spokesperson pointed to a changing “policy environment” as a reason for dropping the Hornet—and honestly, that makes sense. Over the past year, EV credits have been pulled back, charging infrastructure funding has gotten trickier, and CAFE rules have been rolled back.

The last administration was all-in on alternative energy and low-emissions infrastructure. The current one? Not so much.

Looking at automotive history, from building the Interstate highways to cleaning up L.A.’s smog, it’s clear major changes rarely happen without steady government support.

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A lack of government support for PHEVs might not be the only reason Stellantis is dropping plug-ins in the U.S. entirely.

Still, government backing was a huge driver of electrification after the pandemic, and the recent policy shifts have clearly helped push one hybrid, EV, and plug-in off the market after another.

Sienna pulls ahead slightly, even in all-wheel drive

Hybrid Carnival could save you roughly $700 a year in fuel

Credit: Kia

Late last year, we heard that Honda plans to expand its hybrid lineup with a semi-electric V6, probably for the 2027 Odyssey.

But that’s still nearly a year out. For now, there are really only two minivans in the running for the most-efficient crown.

These numbers come straight from FuelEconomy.gov. The all-wheel-drive Sienna actually edges out the Kia slightly at 34/36/35 mpg.

On the highway, the AWD Sienna matches the front-wheel model, so fuel economy isn’t really a deciding factor. A 2026 Kia Carnival averages 18/25/25 mpg, about seven fewer miles per gallon.

That adds up to roughly $2,100 a year in fuel. Switching to the hybrid Carnival could save around $700 annually.

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Few SUVs offer the same practicality, efficiency, and comfort.

FuelEconomy.gov calculates annual fuel costs assuming 15,000 miles a year, split about 45 percent highway and 55 percent city driving.

Is the Toyota Sienna actually worth buying?

Credit: Toyota

The Sienna is technically the most efficient minivan in the U.S. right now.

But is it the best fit for your family? Let’s break down how the latest Sienna stacks up against the hybrid Kia Carnival.

The Sienna isn’t just more efficient than the Carnival—it’s also cheaper, more powerful, and safer.

When the IIHS last tested it, the Sienna earned a Top Safety Pick award. The Carnival, on the other hand, fell short with a ‘Poor’ side-impact rating, and ‘Marginal’ scores for moderate front overlap and front crash prevention.

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The hybrid Kia Carnival stands out for its extra space, giving it more room than the Sienna. That’s a big reason CarBuzz named it their favorite hybrid minivan, edging out both the Sienna and Pacifica.

Base Trim Engine

3.5L V6 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

287.1 HP @6400 RPM

Base Trim Torque

260.4 lb.-ft. @ 5000 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

18/26/21 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

Make

Kia

Model

Carnival

The Pacifica PHEV is retiring, but some models are still out there

Inventory is tiny and prices range from $52K to nearly $62K

Credit: Stellantis

The Chrysler Pacifica PHEV is being retired, but Stellantis isn’t hauling all the existing models back to the factory.

You might still be able to snag a plug-in Pacifica, and if you do, it’s still the most fuel-efficient minivan on the market. The 2026 model rates 82 MPGe—or 30 mpg running on gas alone.

For now, the Pacifica PHEV is still showing up on Chrysler’s Build & Price page.

But when we checked the inventory, there were only 10 models listed nationwide, ranging from $52,760 for a Hybrid Select to $61,850 for a Hybrid Pinnacle. There’s no way to know if any of these will still be available when you’re ready to buy.

2025 models are a bit easier to find

Credit: Stellantis

A search on AutoTempest didn’t turn up any 2026 Pacifica Hybrids. That said, we did find a handful of nearly-new 2025 models for sale, including:

• A 2025 Hybrid Select with 3,809 miles for $39,995 in New Mexico.
• A 16,617-mile Hybrid Select for $33,707 in New York — the lowest price we spotted.
• A 15,030-mile Hybrid Select listed in New York for $33,902.
• A 16,558-mile Hybrid Select in Oklahoma for $34,991.
• A 5,159-mile Hybrid Premium S in Florida for $40,000.

Credit: Stellantis

Even though the Pacifica Hybrid is retired, all warranties, NHTSA recalls, and promised customer support still apply. Stellantis might be moving on, but it can’t just walk away from the commitments it made to buyers.

So if you’re lucky enough to snag a new or nearly-new Pacifica Hybrid before they disappear completely, there’s no reason not to consider it. Just make sure you like the way it drives and that a Toyota Sienna Hybrid wouldn’t be a better fit for your family.

Sources: Chrysler, AutoTempest, CarBuzz, FuelEconomy.gov