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| The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, the minivan re-imagined. |
The family minivan has evolved from its original boxy form
of the early 1980’s, originated by Chrysler. With the new 2017 Pacifica, Chrysler has once
again they have re-imagined the vehicle from the ground up, filled with standard
safety and technology features in an enjoyable to drive vehicle.
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| Pacifica has an option of tri-pane panoramic sunroof. |
The all new
Pacifica, produced in and for the North American Market is fluid in design,
sleek and aerodynamic, and comes with plenty of standard features no matter the
trim level. From LX, Touring, Touring-L, Touring-L Plus, Hybrid Touring, Hybrid
Limited Platinum, keeping it simple, or fully loaded with video screens for
passengers, and the optional tri-pane panoramic sunroof front and rear, the
Pacifica comes with plenty of features, technology, and safety build in, no
matter the trim level.
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| 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 a standard FCA powerplant is in the Pacifica, including the hybrid version with up to 80 mpg. |
The Pacifica has seating is for 7 with an option for 8 in
the non-hybrid model. Powered by corporate standard drivetrain, a 3.6-liter
gasoline fueled Pentastar V-6 that produces 287 hp, with 28 miles per gallon,
with s 9 speed electrically controlled automatic transmission driving the front
wheels. A hybrid option with an expected 80 miles per gallon, will soon be
offered, and while an AWD model is not an option, there is an expectation that
it will be in the future.
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| Pacifica's driver seat provide a commanding view of the road and controls are easy to read and reach. |
Slide into the driver’s or passenger seat, and you are
surrounded by comfort and safety, as well as innovative technology like the new
Uconnect services and features that benefit not only the driver, but also the
entire family. From the all-new Uconnect Theater and the available 7-inch full
color driver information display to the easy-to-use 8.4-inch touchscreen and
the acclaimed Uconnect Access services, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is the most
technologically equipped vehicle of its kind.
Interior design is efficient, seating comfortable with all
controls effortlessly at your reach. Visibility is excellent, and the optional
forward and rear cameras provide a 360-degree surround view to keep the driver
alerted to all that is around the vehicle, and more than 100 standard and
available safety and security features, including ParkSense
Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Hold
and Forward Collision Warning-Plus
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| Chrysler's Stow n'Go makes the Pacifica go from a passenger van to a cargo van in a touch of a button. |
Removing the passenger seats in a minivan to handle cargo
when needed has been answered by Chrysler’s Stow’n Go mode of seats that simply
fold into the floor. A built in vacuum is there to cleanup those messes, while
the hands-free sliding doors and lift gate make entry easy.
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| Passengers as well as drivers have it all in the Pacifica. |
Our short drive of the new Pacifica, showed that it has
plenty of power and handles well. Our only complaint that the ride was not as
smooth as one would think of for a Chrysler, and that tire noise was
noticeable.
Chrysler was the innovator of the passenger minivan segment
30 years ago and now raises the bar for the segment once again. The Pacifica is
only offered under the Chrysler badge, while FCA’s Dodge brand still uses thelast generation Caravan platform, and the RAM brand, a small European designed
work/cargo van, called the ProMaster City.
- William West Hopper.
Photos by William West Hopper & FCA
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