2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA FIRST LOOK

2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA FIRST LOOK by Auto Critic Steve Hammes

Breaking minivan stereotypes is the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. Formerly the Town & Country, Chrysler revives the Pacifica nameplate for a beautifully sculpted highly crafted vehicle that just happens to have sliding doors.

Talk to anyone who owns a minivan and they’ll tell you it’s a multipurpose magnum opus capable of feats no mere crossover can accomplish.  As the inventor of the original minivan, Chrysler seized the opportunity to design the Pacifica with nearly 40 new segment firsts including an available hybrid powertrain.

A full array of comfort and convenience technologies include the Stow ‘n Vac integrated vacuum, a tri-pane panoramic sunroof, handsfree sliding doors and liftgate and redesigned Stow ‘n Go seating with Stow ‘n Go Assist and Easy Tilt access to the third row.

Re-engineered from the ground up on an all-new platform, the Pacifica has been crafted to deliver a “vault-like” interior environment with low levels of wind and road noise and related harshness.  It boasts the largest interior volume in the segment with available 8-passenger seating and the ability to fit an 8 X 4-foot sheet of plywood.  Gas-powered models run with the proven 3.6-liter V6 making 287 horsepower mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission rated at 28mpg highway with the assist of standard stop-start technology.  As the industry’s first electrified minivan, the Pacifica plug-in hybrid delivers an estimated range of 30 miles solely on electric power from a sizeable lithium-ion battery.

In city driving, it’s expected to achieve 80 MPGe.  Long on technology and convenience features, the Pacifica’s all-new Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system allows passengers to watch movies, play built-in games, connect devices to surf the Net and stream content throughout the vehicle via 2 HD touchscreens.

Available in 5 trims ranging from base LX to range-topping Limited, pricing starts at $29,590 while the Hybrid comes in 2 trims with pricing yet to be announced.