pacifica takes the minivan upmarket

THE PROS & CONS

    • What’s Best: A versatile, luxurious take on the family minivan
    • What’s Worst: Price will be an issue for many buyers
    • What’s Interesting: The minivan isn’t dead yet as Chrysler is taking it even more upmarket with the Pacifica

I’ve never owned a minivan and likely never will. I’m just not part of the demographic that has a need for what has been described by one of my colleagues as the ‘Swiss army knife’ of the automotive world.

But anyone who has followed my reviews over the years will know that I’m a big fan of this vehicle concept.

I can’t quite understand why minivan sales have dropped off a cliff in recent years, other than to say times and tastes are constantly changing.

pacifica takes the minivan upmarket

The 2017 Pacifica minivan features the traditional face of the Chrysler brand upfront. Active noise cancellation features help keep wind and road noise out of the cabin.

Just as the minivan took over from the station wagon a couple of decades ago, the crossover (a car-based vehicle with SUV-like attributes) is doing the same to it these days.

You may also like: The Evolution of the Family Car: From Station Wagons to Crossovers

However, I still believe the minivan will be with us for many years to come because they are just so darn practical to haul people and their cargo.

While some automakers have discontinued their offerings in this segment, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) continues to bank on them with the introduction of its newest minivan, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica.

pacifica takes the minivan upmarket

The interior of the Pacifica is decidedly upscale with high-grade materials evident throughout.

Most will remember it was Chrysler that introduced us to this box-on-wheels concept of a people-hauler with the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager back in 1984. Since then, they have led the pack in minivan sales and still control about 65 per cent of the Canadian market with Grand Caravan and Pacifica sales lumped together.

Interestingly, at the end of November, 2016 minivan sales in Canada were actually up more than two per cent for the year to 85,064 units.

So predictions of the demise of the minivan may be a bit premature.

But the Pacifica itself is never going to be a sales leader, not because what it offers, but because of what it costs.

pacifica takes the minivan upmarket

This attractive digital instrument cluster provides important information at a glance. The dashboard and centre stack in nicely designed with the rotary shift knob located on the floating centre stack.

It is not an inexpensive vehicle, starting at $37,995 for the LX and $39,995 for the Touring.

Both are recent additions to the model line up that at launch early in 2016 featured the $43,995 Touring-L as the base model.

FCA’s big seller in the segment will continue to be the Grand Caravan, which was to be discontinued, but has now has been given a temporary reprieve since sales continue to flourish.

Both the Pacifica and Grand Caravan are built in the Windsor, Ont. assembly plant so these vehicles are important to the Canadian economy.

pacifica takes the minivan upmarket

Power comes from this 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 287 hp and 262 lb/ft of torque.

The Pacifica, available in gasoline and hybrid (gas-electric) format, is the replacement for the upscale Town and Country model.

Our tester was a mid-range Pacifica Touring-L trim with few options except for eight-passenger seating ($495), Uconnect with 8.4-inch touchscreen, Sirius XM radio and Navigation ($1,500) plus $195 for Billet Silver Metallic paint. All in, the price was $48,080 including a destination charge of $1,795.

Power for the Pacifica comes from a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine that produces 287 hp and 262 lb/ft of torque. It is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission that is controlled by a hockey-puck-like rotary shifter on the centre stack, much like Jaguar.

pacifica takes the minivan upmarket

With the third-row 60/40 split fold-in-floor bench seat folded in this eight-passenger Pacifica, the 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row expands to 2,477 litres. With the second-row folded, cargo capacity is 3,979 litres.

Tow rating for the Pacifica when properly equipped is 1,632 kg (3,600 lb).

Fuel economy is rated at 12.9/8.4/10.9 L/100 km city/highway combined. The highway figure is best in class, according to Chrysler and 12 per cent better than the previous model.

Chrysler boasts that the Pacifica has the largest interior volume in the segment — 914 litres behind the third row, 2,478 litres with the third-row seats down and 3,979 litres with the second row stowed in the floor. And, of course, like all Chrysler vans, the Pacifica will handle a 4×8 sheet of plywood or drywall.

One neat feature available is the new Stow ’n Go Assist— simply press a button on the B-pillar and the front seat moves forward to allow the second-row seat to be stowed into the floor tub. A second press of the button moves the front seats back into place. On our Touring-L model, this works driver’s side only; with the L-Plus both front seats move forward.

In addition, the Easy Tilt second-row seat allows for easy access into the third row.

Comfort and quiet are two words to describe the cabin environment of the Pacifica on the highway. When you punch the throttle hard, engine noise is pronounced but it subsides at speed. Acceleration with the V6 is brisk and despite the heft of the Pacifica, handling is more than adequate.

pacifica takes the minivan upmarket

The Touring-L model comes with these 17-inch 10-spoke Tech Silver aluminum wheels. The Limited gets 18-inch wheels with 20-inchers optional.

Chrysler calls this the most technologically advanced minivan on the market with a variety of innovations including the new Uconnect rear seat entertainment system that allows rear seat passengers to watch movies, play video games or connect personal devices to surf the internet via two high-definition 10-inch touchscreen monitors.

The Pacifica is an easy vehicle to drive and an easy one to like.

Price will keep it from being a big seller, but for those who want a touch of luxury in the minivan segment, it doesn’t any nicer than this.

pacifica takes the minivan upmarket

The rear of the Chrysler Pacifica is dominated by a large power liftgate with a low lift-over opening, making it easy to load heavy items into the vehicle.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring-L 

BODY STYLE: full-size, seven or eight-passenger minivan.

DRIVE METHOD: front engine, front-wheel drive with nine-speed automatic transmission.

ENGINE: 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 (287 hp, 262 lb/ft of torque).

CARGO: 914 litres behind third row, 2,478 litres behind second row, 3,979 litres with both rows folded.

TOWING: 1,632 kg (3,600 lb) when properly equipped.

FUEL ECONOMY: 12.9/8.4/10.2 L/100 km city/hwy/combine.

PRICE: $37,995 to $52,995, as tested $48,040 including $1,795 destination charge.

WEB SITE: www.chrysler.ca

Show Comments

Keyword: Pacifica takes the Minivan Upmarket

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Tesla, Audi, And Nissan EVs Have Minimal Winter Range Loss

Data from 10,000 EVs and 18 models shows a roughly 30 percent lower range in winter on average.

View more: Tesla, Audi, And Nissan EVs Have Minimal Winter Range Loss

Top Gear’s Top 9: minivans that are cooler than SUVs

Hyundai Staria Ford Supervan Hyundai iMax N Ford Transit 'XJ220' Peugeot 806 Procar VW ID Buzz Porsche Vision Renndienst Renault Espace F1 Lexus LM Hyundai Staria What, exactly, is going on in the Hyundai design office at the moment? The Ioniq 5 looks great, the Ioniq 6 is truly ...

View more: Top Gear’s Top 9: minivans that are cooler than SUVs

2025 Volvo EM90 MPV Marks The Debut Of The First Volvo Minivan

Photo: Volvo Volvo released a fully-electric minivan called the EM90 in China on Monday, where the luxury MPV segment is hugely popular. The Volvo EM90 will be the Swedish automaker’s first minivan, and it just happens to be a rear wheel drive EV, though Volvo says the EM90 traces ...

View more: 2025 Volvo EM90 MPV Marks The Debut Of The First Volvo Minivan

Sumitomo Metal Mining looks to boost battery materials output, possibly in US

TOKYO, Nov 16 (Reuters) – Japan's Sumitomo Metal Mining (5713.T) is considering producing cathode battery materials in the United States among other options as it looks to expand output to meet demand from electric vehicles, an executive said on Thursday. Sumitomo Metal, which supplies the nickel-cobalt-aluminium (NCA) cathode materials for ...

View more: Sumitomo Metal Mining looks to boost battery materials output, possibly in US

Mini John Cooper Works Countryman with 300hp is here

MINI John Cooper Works Countryman with 300hp is here The new (and massive) third-generation Mini Countryman is already here. Now BMW has provided more detail about the infinitely more interesting John Cooper Works variant. Underneath those blocky new flanks sits a 2.0-litre four-pot engine rated at 300hp and 400Nm of torque, ...

View more: Mini John Cooper Works Countryman with 300hp is here

How The Volvo EX30's Minimalist Interface Feels To Operate

Reducing weight, deleting components, and recycled materials make it work. But not without some tradeoffs.

View more: How The Volvo EX30's Minimalist Interface Feels To Operate

This Mostly Stock Electric Mini Punched Above Its Weight. It’s Now A Street Rally Champion

With a standard electric motor and some smart tweaks, the front-wheel drive EV was faster than some Ferraris and Porsches.

View more: This Mostly Stock Electric Mini Punched Above Its Weight. It’s Now A Street Rally Champion

The Volvo EM90 Electric Minivan Might Be One Of The Quietest Cars In The World

Dual-chamber air suspension, silent tires, and road noise cancellation tech work together to make the EM90 a silent office on wheels.

View more: The Volvo EM90 Electric Minivan Might Be One Of The Quietest Cars In The World

Volvo officially releases the EM90, its first minivan with over 450 miles range

Volvo EM90 Minivan Has a Screen That Folds Down From The Roof And Does Many Things

Mini Reveals New John Cooper Works Countryman, Arrives Q3 2024

Volvo EM90 Electric Minivan Has Rear-Wheel Drive And Illuminated Grille

Every electric car you can buy in South Africa under R1 million

Suzuki Jimny With “Little G. Traditional” Body Kit is Mini Geländewagen

Mini Says Fun Performance Cars Won't Die In the Electric Era

New GWM Ora vs Mini Cooper SE – Cheapest electric hatchbacks in South Africa compared

Tynee Mini 3 review: Is it the next new leader in affordable electric skateboards?

Mini launching new hot crossover in South Africa in 2024 – 0-100km/h in 5 seconds

MINI launches the limited-edition MINI Clubman Final Edition in Singapore

The New Mini John Cooper Works Countryman – ALL4 AWD System, 300hp

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel