Love them or hate them, Chrysler created the minivan over 30 years ago, and the next offering from the company is here. Arriving this year as the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica (replacing the Town and Country), the company proclaims a “truly no-compromises minivan, giving customers everything they need or want,” says Timothy Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands, FCA – North America.
Two powertrains will be available, the next generation Pentastar V6 gasoline engine and the segment’s first hybrid. The former will be paired to a 9-speed auto and will put out a best-in-class horsepower figure of 287 and 262 lb-ft of torque. The latter comes a 16kWh lithium-ion battery good for a claimed 30 miles in pure electric mode. When going further than 30 miles, the EPA says drivers can expect fuel economy to be 80 MPGe.
As you would expect, a plethora of safety features will be either standard or optional. Among them, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera to aid in tight maneuvers, parallel and perpendicular parking assists, and a forward collision warning system. On the comfort/convenience side, owners of the new Pacifica will enjoy a rear-seat theater system, 8.4-inch touchscreen display, and a premium audio system. Clean up that popcorn you dropped during the movie with the integrated vacuum cleaner. Sliding doors and liftgate will be hands free, which can be opened by “making a kicking motion” either under the sliding door or liftgate. We, for one, can’t wait to see owners kicking in the direction of their minivans.
The new Pacifica will have the largest interior volume in the segment, available 8-passenger seating, and the ability to carry an 8′ x 4′ piece of plywood… a feature the company claims is a must for all FCA minivans that make it to the U.S. The new Pacifica is entering a competitive segment with the likes of the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, but this ain’t FCA’s first minivan rodeo. Stay tuned for more on the Pacifica as it becomes available.
Check out the Everything you Ever Wanted to Know Video of the new Chrysler Pacifica below.
