Chrysler Reveals A New Minivan: The Pacifica

2017 Chrysler Pacifica (Credit: Chrysler )

The Town & Country is dead, and in its place we have the Pacifica. No, not that Pacifica from a few years ago, this one is Chrysler’s new minivan. In an attempt to be cool, Chrysler decided to ditch the nameplate that many young parents associate with their own parents, at the same time creating a more sophisticated and modern-looking way to haul around kids and the trappings of a Costco excursion.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica (Credit: Chrysler)

Plenty of people love to bemoan minivans, but the fact is few other vehicles can accommodate full-grown adults on all three rows, plus provide loads of cargo space behind the third row. Chrysler designed the Pacifica to be more spacious than the Town & Country, and says it has the largest interior in the entire minivan segment. That’s bad news for Honda and Toyota. With the two rear rows folded down, owners will be able to fit an 8 x 4-foot sheet of plywood, if they want to risk scratching up the interior or gouging the carpet.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica (Credit: Chrysler)

This new minivan was created with modern sensibilities in mind. It incorporates a healthy dose of styling direction from the 200 sedan, which is a smart move on Chrysler’s part. That means a more athletic look inside and out, plus impressive cabin materials for a more luxurious feel. These are the kinds of moves Chrysler should have been making years ago.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica (Credit: Chrysler)

Chrysler claims the Pacifica introduces 37 new innovations to the minivan segment. One of the biggest is the availability of a hybrid powertrain, something you can get on the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna or other competitors – for now. It achieves 80 MPGe, which is incredible and should help the vehicle get noticed by people who might otherwise pass the van up. Another innovation is the lack of a track on the sides of the minivan, because they’re cleverly hidden under the glass for the rear quarter windows, keeping the clean look of the exterior. Shoppers can also add hands-free side doors (along with the tailgate) which is something else competitors don’t offer.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica (Credit: Chrysler)

Certain new features on the Chrysler Pacifica were obviously included to help it compete against the Odyssey, the current top minivan in the United States. One example is the optional onboard Rigid vacuum. Does this mean that Honda drivers will consider trading in their ride for the Pacifica? We’ll see when the minivan hits dealers in the spring, with the hybrid version launching later in the year.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica (Credit: Chrysler)

2017 Chrysler Pacifica (Credit: Chrysler)

2017 Chrysler Pacifica (Credit: Chrysler)

2017 Chrysler Pacifica (Credit: Chrysler)