The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is a seven-passenger minivan that offers a car-like handling and front wheel driving in a manageable size.
There are five trim levels to choose from for this year’s Pacifica: LX, Touring, Touring- L, Touring- L Plus and Limited. If you’re eco-conscious, there’s also a Hybrid Chrysler Pacifica that’s available in the Touring and Limited trims.
Despite what common preconceptions may be of a minivan’s performance, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica really handles much more like a sedan. The Pacifica is surprisingly responsive and easy to navigate.
Even more surprising is how quiet the Pacifica is. Cabin noise is practically nonexistent and the engine isn’t noisy in the slightest. Inside the Pacifica’s serine cabin you’ll find an impressive array of tech features which include but aren’t limited to: LED daytime running lights, keyless ignition and entry, the Stow n’ Go folding/collapsible second-row seats, Bluetooth, a five-inch center touchscreen display, a 60/40-split folding third-row seat, an eight-way power driver seat, three-zone climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an electric parking brake, a rear view camera, voice commands, Uconnect Access and a six-speaker sound system with USB and auxiliary inputs.
One of the Pacifica’s most interesting features is definitely its Stow ‘n’ Vac which, is a built-in vacuum in the Pacifica’s second row — perfect for those long road trips where snacks are bound to leave a trail. And with a 24-foot hose, you can easily reach every inch of the Pacifica.
In addition to a load of technology features, the Pacifica has a very robust amount of safety features: 360-degree camera view, lane-departure warning and mitigation, automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, forward-collision warning and mitigation, rear backup sensing with automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control.
If you need all the convenience of a minivan but hate that they can be total gas-guzzlers, the Pacifica also comes in a hybrid option. The hybrid option boasts an impressive 80-mile-per-gallon equivalent in the city thanks to its 3.6-liter V-6, a 16-kWh battery pack, and a twin-electric-motor that pumps out 260 horsepower.
Unfortunately, the hybrid does not come with the nifty Stow ‘n’ Go feature provided in the fuel option. The gas-powered Pacifica’s fuel economy isn’t as conservative but still respectable when considering its size. The 3.6L V6 engine has an average 18 mpg rating in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
In the past, minivans have not been associated with style or modernity. However, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica aims to change the minivan’s image problem. With a wide array of standard technology and safety features and sleek styling, this year’s Pacifica brings the minivan into the 21st Century.
The MSRP for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica starts at $42,495.