The Grandfather of crossovers
With its two-box, six-seat setup and rear side doors that opened conventionally--instead of the sliding doors found on minivans--when the production Pacifica arrived in 2004, Chrysler marketing types dubbed the Pacifica a "grand tourer" (not to be confused with Mercedes-Benz's equally hard to define R Class, classified as a "sports tourer").
The reason being was that the Pacifica wasn't a traditional sports-utility vehicle. And even though it was built alongside the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country in Windsor, Ontario, Chrysler didn't want the Pacifica to be labeled a "minivan."
Even if Chrysler didn't know it at the time, the Pacifica was one of the industry's first crossover-utility-vehicles. A segment that has busted out all over with vehicles like the Acura MDX, Ford Taurus X (nee Freestyle), Mazda CX-9, Saturn Outlook/GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave triplets and Subaru Tribeca. All following in the pioneering Pacifica's tire tracks.
Updates for 2007
With all of these new CUVs biting at the Pacifica's heels, for 2007, Chrysler's has added more performance, standard safety features and a freshened up exterior limited to new headlights, a restyled hood, fenders, grille, and front fascia.
The base model Pacifica starts at $34,945. That gets you front-wheel-drive with a 200 horsepower 3.8L V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard safety features include all-row side curtain air bags, electronic stability program, electronic throttle control, and traction control.
There's also mid-range Pacifica Touring, which can be had in FWD or optional all-wheel-drive. My test vehicle was the range-topping Pacifica Limited, starting at $46,215.
To the Touring, the Limited adds leather-faced heated seats in the first and second rows, monochromatic exterior, fog lamps, side-curtain air bags, parking sensors, power sunroof and liftgate, 19-inch chrome rims and AWD. A 4.0L V6 with an additional 53 and one more gear in the slushbox also is standard.
With its two-box, six-seat setup and rear side doors that opened conventionally--instead of the sliding doors found on minivans--when the production Pacifica arrived in 2004, Chrysler marketing types dubbed the Pacifica a "grand tourer" (not to be confused with Mercedes-Benz's equally hard to define R Class, classified as a "sports tourer").
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| The Limited trim adds a monochromatic exterior, fog lamps and 19-inch chrome wheels. |
The reason being was that the Pacifica wasn't a traditional sports-utility vehicle. And even though it was built alongside the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country in Windsor, Ontario, Chrysler didn't want the Pacifica to be labeled a "minivan."
Even if Chrysler didn't know it at the time, the Pacifica was one of the industry's first crossover-utility-vehicles. A segment that has busted out all over with vehicles like the Acura MDX, Ford Taurus X (nee Freestyle), Mazda CX-9, Saturn Outlook/GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave triplets and Subaru Tribeca. All following in the pioneering Pacifica's tire tracks.
Updates for 2007
With all of these new CUVs biting at the Pacifica's heels, for 2007, Chrysler's has added more performance, standard safety features and a freshened up exterior limited to new headlights, a restyled hood, fenders, grille, and front fascia.
The base model Pacifica starts at $34,945. That gets you front-wheel-drive with a 200 horsepower 3.8L V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard safety features include all-row side curtain air bags, electronic stability program, electronic throttle control, and traction control.
There's also mid-range Pacifica Touring, which can be had in FWD or optional all-wheel-drive. My test vehicle was the range-topping Pacifica Limited, starting at $46,215.
To the Touring, the Limited adds leather-faced heated seats in the first and second rows, monochromatic exterior, fog lamps, side-curtain air bags, parking sensors, power sunroof and liftgate, 19-inch chrome rims and AWD. A 4.0L V6 with an additional 53 and one more gear in the slushbox also is standard.
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| The 4.0L V6 is a welcomed ally in the battle against girth and weight. |