Important points
-2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is the introductory year for this vehicle, so it's essentially a brand new model
-There were a fair amount of problems with the 2017, including a large recall, forcing Chrysler to stop shipment as resume with "2018" models
-I can't find any used ones for sale, unsurprisingly
-The cheapest new ones that I can find in my area cost just over $42,000
-The internet says that this car does qualify for the maximum federal tax credit
-You need a federal tax liability of at least $7500 in the year you put it into service, no carryover allowed
Based on the first two points alone, I'd recommend repair or a cheap econobox to tide them over until they actually need the van.
As an aside, I understand where they are coming from a little. I too also like to make bold statements to family and friends. After I bought my VW Jetta Sportswagen, I declared that my next car would be electric. In 2011, the Nissan Leaf was introduced, I signed up for the initial launch, was notified that my car was ready on Labor Day weekend 2011, and took the DW to test drive. We declined to purchase for the same reasons as the top three bullet points. I did end up getting one (and it was my next car), but I waited until 2015 when the car had more data about reliability, kinks had been worked out, and the battery was expanded. I have again made another bold statement, that this will be the last car I will ever purchase, assuming that I will ditch this car and sign up for a subscription to an automated driverless car service once those become available.