Chrysler Pacifica (minivan) explained

Chrysler Pacifica
Manufacturer:Chrysler (Stellantis North America)
Production:2016–present
Model Years:2017–present
Assembly:Canada: Windsor, Ontario (Windsor Assembly)
Class:Minivan
Body Style:5-door minivan
Platform:Compact Wide
Engine:3.6 L Pentastar V6 (gasoline)
Motor:2x electric motors (SiEVT main motor & motor generator; PHEV)
Transmission:9-speed 948TE automatic
e-CVT[1]
Drivetrain:PHEV (Pacifica Hybrid)
Electric Range: (EPA)
Battery: lithium-ion
Wheelbase:3089mm
Length:203.60NaN0
Width:79.60NaN0
Height:NaN0NaN0
Predecessor:Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Caravan (RT)

The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan produced by the Chrysler division of Stellantis. It is unrelated to the discontinued crossover and concept vehicles by the same name and replaced the Chrysler Town & Country for the 2017 model year. It is positioned as the higher-end Chrysler minivan, above the Dodge Grand Caravan until 2020 and above the Chrysler Voyager (rebadged as the Chrysler Grand Caravan in Canada) since 2020.[2]

The minivan is produced with two powertrains, a 3.6 L gasoline-powered engine and a plug-in hybrid. The plug-in hybrid version has a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery that can propel the car up to 33miles on electric power alone. The gasoline-only version of the Pacifica minivan went on sale in mid-2016, while the plug-in hybrid version became available in early 2017.

History

Development

In June 2013, it was reported that Chrysler was preparing to produce a new generation of its Town & Country minivan at the Windsor Assembly Plant, with production set to begin in 2015 and a release for the 2017 model year. An industry analyst reported that the new version would possibly be a crossover utility vehicle in the vein of the Pacifica.[3]

In 2015, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne announced that it would invest $2 billion in developing a new minivan, and overhauling the Windsor Assembly Plant to facilitate its production.[4] A company issued plan of future vehicles revealed that a new Town & Country would begin production in February 2016 for the 2017 model year, and that the final-generation Dodge Grand Caravan would be maintained in parallel with the new Town & Country as a lower-cost option during the 2017 model year, after which it will be discontinued. Marchionne has been against "duplicate[d] investments" in product development—a strategy reflected by his reduction of badge-engineering between FCA US's domestic marques.[5] [6] [7]

On November 3, 2015, FCA filed to have its trademark registration on the Pacifica brand renewed; FCA's Head of Passenger Car Brands Timothy Kuniskis denied that this was related to any new products and that it was standard industry practice to continue renewing its trademarks because "you don't want to lose names. Establishing new names is expensive."

Model years

Chrysler debuted the new vehicle on January 11, 2016, at the 2016 North American International Auto Show. Rather than being named the Town & Country, the new vehicle was branded as the Pacifica. The decision to drop the Town & Country brand was made primarily to distinguish the new vehicle from previous iterations; Director of Chrysler brand product marketing Bruce Velisek explained that the Pacifica was meant to "change the entire paradigm of what people know about minivans in the segment". Among its differences from the previous Town & Country is a new platform, and a design carrying a sportier appearance inspired by crossovers—a market segment that had cannibalized minivan sales—to disassociate the vehicle from other minivans with a boxier build.[8] [9] Chrysler also changed the minivan's sliding doors: they will be aluminum and hands-free, opening automatically when the fob holder waves under them.[10]

The starting price of the 2017 Pacifica was .[11] This was less than the starting price of the 2016 Town & Country. The base model plug-in hybrid, called "Premium", started at and the high-end "Platinum" model started at .

Plug-in hybrid

The production of a plug-in hybrid version was the first of its class in the United States, and according to chief engineer Kevin Mets, meant to create an electric vehicle that could feasibly be a family's "primary vehicle". The Pacifica Hybrid has a 16 kWh battery pack qualifying it in the US for the full federal tax credit and also to other incentives at the state and local level.[12] In June 2017, Chrysler recalled 1,600 Pacificas to fix the electronics.[13]

Autonomous version

On November 7, 2017, Waymo announced that it had begun testing driverless cars without a safety driver at the driver position using the Pacifica plug-in.[14]

AWD version

The AWD option was made available in June 2020 for 2020 Touring-L models equipped with the AWD Launch Edition package.[15] The Pacifica is the only minivan in the North American market to feature a traditional AWD system as the fourth-generation Toyota Sienna has switched to the E-four system with the rear wheels driven electrically.[16]

Chrysler Voyager

Starting with the 2020 model year, the low-end "L" and "LX" models have been separated from the Pacifica nameplate and are now sold under the Voyager nameplate in the United States. This marked the return of the Voyager nameplate to the Chrysler model lineup, in which it was last used in 2016, and the North American market, in which it was last used in 2003 in the U.S. and 2007 in Mexico. In addition to the L and LX trim levels, an "LXi" model is available to fleet customers.

In the 2021 model year, Canadian sales of the model started under the Chrysler Grand Caravan nameplate with trim level designations carried over from the outgoing Dodge Grand Caravan (as opposed to the former base Pacifica) and no equivalent to the LXi model.[17] This marked the return of the "Chrysler Grand Caravan" nameplate which was last used in 2007, primarily in South American markets.

The Voyager was restricted in the United States to fleet buyers for the 2022 model year.[18] It continues the pre-facelift design and includes a long list of features and equipment with only two options: (1) the "SafetyTec Group" (Advanced Brake Assist, Pedestrian Emergency Braking, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, Uconnect 5 NAV with 10.1-inch Display, ParkSense Rear Park Assist System with Stop, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Path Detection System) and (2) the "Fleet Security Group" (Two additional key fobs and SiriusXM Guardian trial).

2021 facelift

A restyled 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was introduced at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show in Chicago, Illinois.[19] The 2021 model year Pacifica featured new exterior styling and is now available with all-wheel-drive (AWD) for gasoline-powered models. The Pacifica Hybrid versions use front-wheel-drive.

Unlike previous AWD Chrysler minivans, the AWD Pacifica retains the Stow 'n' Go seating. It is the first Fiat Chrysler Automobiles vehicle to feature the new Android-based Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a standard 10.1-inch high-resolution touchscreen display and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, as well as Amazon Alexa capabilities, as well as SiriusXM Satellite Radio and high-speed data connectivity. USB-C high-speed data and charging ports are standard equipment, and TomTom-based GPS navigation is optional. The "FamCam" rear camera system can display an image of rear passengers in place of a conversation mirror.

A new Pinnacle trim level adds "Pinnacle" badging on the front doors, unique leather seat trim, quilted leather pillows for the second-row seats, and unique exterior styling cues.[20]

Production

Production of the vehicle uses an all-new platform at the Windsor Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.[21]

Powertrains

The Pacifica uses a new revision of the 3.6 L Pentastar V6 engine, and is produced with two powertrains: gasoline-only and plug-in hybrid, the latter marketed as Pacifica Hybrid.

The plug-in hybrid version uses a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, located under the floor under the second row of seats, with an all-electric range of 33miles[22] before switching to the gasoline engine. The battery can be fully recharged in two hours using a 240-volt plug-in system. The hybrid is not available with all-wheel drive, eight-passenger seating, Stow'n'Go seating, or vacuum.[23]

The gasoline-only version of the Pacifica minivan went on sale in mid-2016; the plug-in hybrid version, in 2017. Chrysler expected the plug-in hybrid model to achieve a fuel economy of at least 80 miles per gallon equivalent,[24] [25] and on December 1, 2016, the EPA announced the minivan achieved 84 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent.

Fuel economy

The Pacifica Hybrid operating in hybrid mode had the highest fuel economy of any minivan available in the American market until the introduction of the 2021 standard-hybrid fourth-generation Toyota Sienna.[26] [27] [28]

The following table presents the U.S. EPA fuel economy ratings for all powertrain variants of the Chrysler Pacifica.

Fuel economy as rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency[29]
(Fuel economy as displayed in the Monroney label)
-PEVs sorted in descending order by MPG-e combined rating (electric mode for PHEVS)-->Vehicle Model
year
Operating
mode
(AER)
EPA fuel economy ratings Notes
Combined CityHighway
2020 Gasoline
only
20 mpg 17 mpg 25 mpg
2017 Gasoline
only
22 mpg 18 mpg 28 mpg
2017 Electricity only
(33 mi)
84 mpg-e(1)
(40 kWh/100 mi)
During the first 33 mi uses some gasoline.
The actual all-electric range is between 0 and 33 mi.
Gasoline only32 mpg
Notes: (1) Conversion 1 gallon of gasoline=33.7 kW-hr.

Safety

NHTSA

NHTSA 2017 Chrysler Pacifica VAN FWD:[30]
Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover: / 11.6%

IIHS

2017

The 2017 Pacifica was tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and its top trim received a Top Safety Pick+ award:

IIHS 2017 Chrysler Pacifica:[31]
Small overlap front (driver):Good*
Small overlap front (passenger):Acceptable*
Moderate overlap frontGood
Side (original test)Good
Roof strength (2017–present models)Good
Head restraints & seatsGood
Headlights
Acceptable Marginal Poor
varies by trim/option
Front crash prevention (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) Superior optional
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of use
Marginal Poor
2022

The 2022 Pacifica was tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it received a Top Safety Pick+ award:

IIHS 2022 Chrysler Pacifica:[32]
Small overlap front (driver):Good
Small overlap front (passenger):Good
Moderate overlap frontGood
Side (original test)Good
Roof strengthGood
Head restraints & seatsGood
Headlights Acceptable
Front crash prevention (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) Superior
Front crash prevention (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian, day) Advanced
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of use Acceptable
2023

The 2023 Pacifica was tested In the IIHS' updated Moderate Overlap test, which now emphasizes rear occupant safety, and received a Marginal rating.

Awards

As of December 2020, the Pacifica has earned 140 honors and industry accolades.[33] Among them:

Marketing

In April 2016, Chrysler launched a television advertising campaign for the Pacifica entitled "Dad Brand", featuring comedian Jim Gaffigan and his children.[46] In October 2016, Chrysler launched a social media-oriented campaign known as "PacifiKids", featuring videos in which unsuspecting families shopped for the vehicle at a dealership staffed entirely by children.[47] The Pacifica has also been used in cross-promotional campaigns for the films The Secret Life of Pets and Incredibles 2.[48] [49]

Total sales

US sales include both the Pacifica and Voyager. Canada sales include both the Pacifica and Chrysler Grand Caravan.

Calendar yearUnited StatesCanadaMexicoEurope[50]
2016 62,366[51] 2,560[52] 208[53] 5
2017 118,274[54] 6,185 634 57
2018 118,322[55] 5,999[56] 505 129
2019 97,705[57] 3,731[58] 465[59] 117
2020 93,802[60] 2,760[61] 261[62] 94
202198,3237,226266[63] 103
202298,624[64] 11,385[65] 284[66]
2023120,5549,007
Subtotal sales807,97048,8532,623505
Total sales859,951

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica: New Look, New Name, New Hybrid Powertrain . January 11, 2016 . Automobile Magazine . If buyers do plug in and regularly top-up the battery pack, that number is expected to be 80 mpg, with about 30 miles of all-electric driving possible. Instead of the nine-speed automatic, an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission of Chrysler's own design will divvy up power to the front wheels..
  2. Web site: The 2020 Chrysler Voyager Is a Budget Version of the Pacifica Minivan . Car and Driver . June 27, 2019.
  3. Web site: Next minivan to launch in 2015 as Chrysler Town and Country: Report. Windsor Star . 2013 . September 10, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140330123926/http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/06/18/next-generation-minivan-launch-in-2015-as-chrysler-town-and-country-report/ . March 30, 2014.
  4. News: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is a 'monumental leap' forward. January 11, 2016 . Detroit Free Press .
  5. News: Marchionne on consolidation: 'Something needs to give' . The Detroit News . January 11, 2016.
  6. Web site: Dodge plans to produce '17 minivan . Automotive News . Vellequette . Larry P. . June 22, 2015 . June 29, 2015.
  7. Web site: 2017 Chrysler minivan coming; Dodge not leaving yet . Priddle . Alisa . Detroit Free Press . December 5, 2015 . December 16, 2015.
  8. News: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica: All-new 'modern family' minivan . January 11, 2016 . The Detroit News.
  9. Web site: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica isn't your parents' Town & Country [w/video] ]. Autoblog . January 11, 2016.
  10. Web site: Chrysler unveils all-new minivan at Detroit auto show . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . April 9, 2016.
  11. All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Delivers Unprecedented Functionality, Versatility and Technology Starting at $28,595 MSRP. March 14, 2016.
  12. Web site: Szostech. Michael . Chrysler Pacific Hybrid pricing announced, starting at $41,995 US. My Electric Car Forums . November 29, 2016.
  13. News: Woes mounting for recalled 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan . The Washington Post. June 2, 2017. July 2, 2017.
  14. Web site: Waymo is first to put fully self-driving cars on US roads without a safety driver . The Verge . November 7, 2017.
  15. Web site: 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Now Available with AWD . Connor . Hoffman . Car and Driver . June 5, 2020 . June 7, 2020.
  16. Web site: 2021 Toyota Sienna: Hybrid Power to the People Mover . Greg . Fink . Motor Trend . May 1, 2020 . May 18, 2020.
  17. FCA US Media – Family Famous: 2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan Available Exclusively for Canada. July 16, 2020 . media.fcanorthamerica.com.
  18. Web site: 2022 Chrysler Voyager . stellantisfleet.com . August 5, 2022.
  19. Web site: Alaniz . Anthony . 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Debuts Facelift, Pinnacle Trim, And AWD Option . Motor1.com . 4 September 2020 . 16 June 2022.
  20. Web site: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica AWD | Chrysler Minivan . chrysler.com.
  21. Web site: As Chrysler redoes the minivan, a look back . bsccomment.com . January 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160312010609/http://bsccomment.com/2016/01/17/as-chrysler-redoes-the-minivan-a-look-back.html . March 12, 2016 . dead.
  22. Web site: Szostech. Michael. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Specifications. My Electric Car Forums . December 1, 2016.
  23. Stellantis Media – Press Kit: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: FCA US Launches All-New 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid . media.stellantisnorthamerica.com . May 11, 2021.
  24. Web site: Why Chrysler made the Pacifica Hybrid. Autoblog . January 12, 2016.
  25. Web site: Chrysler's new minivan of the future. CNNMoney . January 11, 2016 . Peter . Valdes-Dapena . January 11, 2016 .
  26. News: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Is By Far America's Most Fuel-Efficient Minivan . Jeff . Cobb . hybridcars.com . December 5, 2016. December 11, 2016.
  27. Web site: Turkus . Brandon . 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Vs 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Comparison: Family Style . motor1.com . March 19, 2021 . May 11, 2023.
  28. Web site: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs. 2021 Toyota Sienna: Minivan Madness . Motor Trend . November 19, 2020 . May 11, 2023.
  29. Web site: Compare Side-by-Side – 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and 2020 Chrysler Pacifica AWD . Fueleconomy.gov . February 21, 2021.
  30. Web site: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica VAN FWD . Safercar.gov . November 4, 2016.
  31. Web site: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Top Safety Pick+ . Iihs.org . September 20, 2016.
  32. Web site: 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Minivan . IIHS-HLDI.
  33. Web site: Chrysler Pacifica Claims CarBuzz 2020 Family Fun Award . Finance Yahoo . December 21, 2020 . January 17, 2021.
  34. All-new Chrysler Pacifica Named "Best Minivan of 2016" in Cars.com "Ultimate Minivan Challenge" . media.stellantisnorthamerica.com . October 31, 2016 . May 11, 2023.
  35. 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named "Best New Large Utility Vehicle" by Automobile Journalists Association of Canada . media.stellantisnorthamerica.com . December 6, 2016 . May 11, 2023.
  36. Web site: All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named North American Utility Vehicle of the Year . FCA US Media Website . January 9, 2017.
  37. Web site: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named Family Vehicle of the Year by MAMA . FCA US Media Website . February 9, 2017.
  38. Web site: All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Wins Drivers' Choice Award for Best Minivan from MotorWeek . FCA US Media Website . February 10, 2017.
  39. Web site: All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named Crossover-SUV of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press . FCA US Media Website . April 5, 2017.
  40. Web site: All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named Top Minivan of 2017 by New York Daily News Autos Team . FCA US Media Website . April 6, 2017.
  41. Web site: All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named Best Minivan in Popular Mechanics' Automotive Excellence Awards . FCA US Media Website . April 13, 2017.
  42. Web site: Top Consumer Rated Van/Minivans of 2020 . Kelly Blue Book (KBB) . January 17, 2021.
  43. Web site: Pizarro . H. J. . 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Wins Award . MotorBiscuit . April 9, 2020 . January 17, 2021.
  44. Web site: Owens . DeAnn . 2021 Chrysler Pacifica and Ram 1500 Earn Best Buy Awards . The News Wheel . December 7, 2020 . January 17, 2021.
  45. Web site: Day . Dwayne . The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Seems Out of Place on This List . MotorBiscuit . December 22, 2020 . January 17, 2021.
  46. Web site: Comedian Jim Gaffigan stars in Chrysler Pacifica ads. Detroit Free Press . October 11, 2016.
  47. Web site: Chrysler turns to kids to sell Pacifica minivan. Detroit Free Press . October 11, 2016.
  48. News: Disney Goes to the Movies to Buoy Upfront Ad Sales . Steinberg . Brian. May 1, 2018 . Variety . June 1, 2018.
  49. Web site: 'Incredibles 2' Marketing Tie-Ins Are Just Incredible, Too . Mediapost Publications . June 1, 2018.
  50. Web site: Dodge Durango Sales Figures. goodcarbadcar.net. 2024-01-17.
  51. FCA US Reports 2016 December and Full-year U.S. Sales . FCA North America . January 4, 2017 . January 4, 2017.
  52. FCA Canada December and Full-year 2016 Sales . FCA North America . January 4, 2017 . January 4, 2017.
  53. Web site: About Us | Stellantis . stellantis.com.
  54. FCA US Reports 2017 December and Full-year U.S. Sales . FCA North America . January 3, 2018 . January 3, 2018.
  55. Web site: FCA US Reports 2018 December and Full-Year Sales . media.fcanorthamerica.com.
  56. Web site: FCA Canada Reports December and Full Year Sales Record for Jeep Wrangler . media.fcanorthamerica.com.
  57. FCA US Reports Fourth-quarter and Full-year 2019 sales. FCA North America . January 3, 2020 . January 3, 2020.
  58. Web site: FCA US Media – FCA Canada Reports Fourth-quarter and Full-year Sales . media.fcanorthamerica.com.
  59. Web site: Datos Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía . inegi.org.mx.
  60. FCA US Reports Fourth-quarter and Full-year 2020 sales . FCA North America . January 5, 2021 . January 5, 2021.
  61. FCA Canada Reports Fourth-quarter and Full-Year 2020 Results; Grows Retail Market Share . media.stellantisnorthamerica.com . August 5, 2022 . January 5, 2021.
  62. Web site: García . Gerardo . Los 377 autos más vendidos de México en 2020: la lista completa del ranking de ventas . Motorpasión México . es . January 8, 2021 . August 5, 2022.
  63. Web site: García . Gerardo . Los 379 autos más vendidos de México en 2021: la lista completa del ranking de ventas . Motorpasión México . es . January 8, 2022 . August 5, 2022.
  64. FCA Reports Fourth-quarter and Full-year 2022 Sales Results . Stellantis Media . 2023-01-04 . 2023-01-10.
  65. FCA Canada reports fourth-quarter 2022 and full-year sales results, becomes #1-seller of plug-in hybrid vehicles in the country . Stellantis Media . 2023-01-04 . 2023-01-10.
  66. Web site: García . Gerardo . Los 371 autos más vendidos de México en 2022: el ranking completo con todos los modelos. Motorpasión México . es . January 6, 2023 . August 5, 2022.