A great leap forward
This stylish new minivan has great technology to satisfy today’s demanding families
You might think that minivans are going extinct with the rate at which everyone is jumping on the SUV bandwagon, but minivan sales were booming in the first half of 2016 and the all-new Chrysler Pacifica just hit dealer lots in May.
It should be a big second half and possibly the best year since 2008 for minivans.
Some of you may recall the Pacifica name from an early (failed) crossover experiment in Chrysler’s past, but this is something entirely different.
This is the replacement for the Town & Country minivan, while Dodge’s Grand Caravan continues on largely unchanged. Pricing reflects this, as the Grand Caravan is priced from the low 20s to about $40,000, while the Pacifica basically picks up from there, starting in the low 40s and easily reaching $50,000 and then some. Yikes!
The platform is entirely new, using aluminum, magnesium and highstrength steel in key locations to make a lighter, stiffer frame.
The 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 is paired with Chrysler’s new nine-speed automatic transmission, all of which should contribute to much-improved fuel economy.
There is also a boatload of new tech on board, from a backup camera and touch-screen display on base models to hands-free tailgate and driving assistance systems such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.
With changes this extensive, nothing less than a new name would do. The all-important interior However, it’s what hasn’t changed that makes minivans great for families, and some standout features from Chrysler that make it a great minivan.
The trunk behind the third row alone has a whopping 915 litres with a deep well that means you can easily pack in running strollers, a couple bikes and other bulky items.
With the third row stowed, that grows to 2,478 L, and with all seats down, there is a staggering 3,979 L of cargo space, and enough flat floor space to slide in a sheet of drywall or plywood.
Of course, Chrysler minivans’ claim to fame is Stow n’ Go seats that collapse into the floor, which are standard for both rows in the Pacifica. Dropping the third row is as easy as yanking a strap and letting gravity do all the hard work. Getting them back up requires a bit more muscle, but is still plenty easy.
The only thing easier in the segment is the power folding third row in top Pacifica trims. The fact that the second row stows remains an exclusive in this segment.
Something new on the practicality front is the way the second row flips forward to allow access to the third row even with big, bulky child seats installed, a huge win for parents juggling their most precious, struggling, squirming, screaming and generally unco-operative cargo.
The driver’s seat is comfortable enough to be at home in any living room or den, and all three rows have plenty of legroom and headroom, but the rear seats give up some comfort, designed as they are for collapsing and folding into the floor.
Kia and Toyota both have gone the other way, with available second-row captain’s chairs that include limolike reclining functions with La-Z-Boystyle flip-out footrests.
Quality, long a sore spot for FCA minivans (and cars and SUVs) is much improved, with convincing leather seats, carpeted cargo area, and soft-touch dash, easily eclipsing some of the antiquated plastics in its rivals from Honda and Toyota, but some of the switchgear still feels brittle and cheap. Driving impressions Out on the road, the Pacifica’s mission is built right into its name, with a smooth ride and silky powertrain that provides a peaceful and quiet cabin in any situation.
Its mission is comfort first, second and third, with a suspension that soaks up any road imperfections short of a bomb crater, and a transmission that shifts imperceptibly.
The Pentastar V6 delivers 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, more than enough to move the Pacifica’s 1,964 kilograms. This minivan is also more than 45 kg lighter than its predecessor.
It gets up to speed without effort and without commotion, humming along at highway speeds at under 2,000 r.p.m.
With that lighter platform and new powertrain, the Pacifica earns fuel economy of 12.9 L/100 km in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and an expected 10.9 combined.
It drives well, staying planted in its lane on the highway with minimal steering inputs, and steering is firm and steady at speed, but effortless at low speeds, making mall parking lots and school drop-off manoeuvres a cinch.
Throughout my week with the Pacifica, the nine-speed transmission never faltered, though in other FCA products, it has been far from perfect and some have reported rough shifting in the Pacifica as well, so pay particular attention to its behaviour on a test drive.
On a more personal note, I really can’t stand that rotary knob shifter — when making three-point turns (or sometimes seven-point parking adjustments), it just seems unnatural, slow and clunky to shift between Drive and Reverse.
But with that standard backup camera and light steering at low speeds, parking in tight spots isn’t too much of a chore despite the length of this vehicle.
A 360-degree camera is also on the option sheet.
Additionally, visibility out the sides and back isn’t great, so driving in traffic requires an extra level of attention, especially in trims without the blind-spot warning. In addition to that blind-spot warning, all the latest driving aids are on the menu, from adaptive cruise control and forward collision alert to lane departure warning and rear-park assist with cross-traffic alert. Easy tech Uconnect is brilliant, our tester’s upgraded 8.4-inch touchscreen offering plenty of real estate and sharp graphics, but even the smaller standard five-inch screen is bright and clear.
The logical menus and quick responses mean it’s not distracting when on the go, even if the number of features may seem overwhelming.
However, Uconnect is just the tip of the iceberg for the Pacifica’s feature list, from conveniences like power memory seats and heated steering wheel to a headrest mounted touchscreen entertainment system with Wi-Fi headphones, remotes and HDMI input.
One neat little feature of the rear seat entertainment system is the “Are We There Yet?” app, which gives impatient kids updates on the progress of a journey programmed into the route guidance.
Also available on the top trim Pacifica is a built-in vacuum cleaner that extends from just behind the rear sliding doors on the driver side.
I liked that it is centrally located to more easily reach all corners of the van, especially the more frequently used and messy first two rows. Uncharted price territory In every way, the Chrysler Pacifica is a better minivan than the vehicle it replaces, but it comes at a price.
Starting at $41,930, it’s competitively equipped (including power driver seat, Uconnect, Bluetooth, backup camera, Stow ‘n Go and 17-inch alloy wheels) and still features all the essential mechanical goodies of this totally redesigned platform.
As the price climbs over $40,000, features pile on, like power sliding doors, power tailgate, leather interior, sunshades, driving and parking aids, and upgraded stereo.
There is value for your money, but Chrysler might have a hard time convincing people to part with more than $50,000 for fully loaded models when many perceive the brand as a bastion of poor reliability and low quality. The verdict Despite a price tag for top trims that many just won’t be able to accept, the Pacifica is a massive leap forward for Chrysler and minivans.
It is stylish enough to draw attention from unexpected sources and has enough technology to satisfy today’s demanding consumers. And sure, it drives well. But most importantly, the Pacifica is filled with thoughtful touches and practical engineering that makes life easier for busy families, so it stands out as a new leader in the minivan segment.