A first look at the new Chrysler Pacifica minivan
Chrysler created the minivan segment, but the automotive industry is a “What have you done for me lately?’’ business.
In Chrysler’s case—actually FCA nowadays—they’ve redesigned the minivan from the ground up and revived the Pacifica name for a brand-new 2017 minivan.
Somewhere along the line, the terms “soccer mom’’ and “minivan’’—two positives—got turned into a single negative.
The truth is that minivans are unmatched for versatility, seating comfort, and being a “family room’’ on wheels for trips.
If I had a young family, there’s no question that a minivan would be my vehicle of choice.
FCA North America Eastern PR guru Lisa Barrow, Pacifica PR manager Angela Bianchi, and Pacifica marketing head Matt McAlear visited the New England Motor Press Assn. on June 14 with a mini-fleet of the new minivans.
NEMPA members had the opportunity to crawl through the vehicles, drive them on local roads and interstates, and hear a presentation from McAlear.
Why the Pacifica name?
“We wanted a fresh start,’’ says McAlear. “Our research showed the Pacifica name had positive recognition. Reviving that was a lot less expensive than starting out fresh and establishing a new brand name.’’
Still, Chrysler has expended some marketing energy, creating a series of ads with comedian Jim Gaffigan as a “dufus’’ dad demonstrating the Pacifica’s features via inane antics. Another ad features Brooklyn Decker being taught the Pacifica’s ropes by equally irritating know-it-all kids.
It was about the time that McAlear was demonstrating the fold-flat, Stow ‘n Go second- and third-row seats that Jamie Paige Deaton, Auto Editor at US News, pulled out her own child seat to test the second row.
MARKETING MINIVANS: Chrysler’s Matt McAlear sees the minivan segment as continuing to be attractive and profitable.
FCA says a second-row seat can tilt forward, even with a child’s seat attached, to allow easy access to the third row.
There is a “don’t try this with a child strapped into the seat’’ caveat involved.
Deaton demonstrated that the system works.
Fortunately for demonstration purposes, said car seat was filled with crumbs and some candy smudges that were transferred to the Pacifica’s second-row leather seat.
That was an opportunity to test the onboard vacuum with its 12-foot stretch hose (and additional 12-foot attachment in case you want to clean another of the family vehicles in the process) to suck up the detritus.
McAlear had noted that all Pacifica trim levels have the same power train—an upgraded 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 that produces best-in-class horsepower (287) and torque (262 lb.-ft.), 28 mpg highway fuel economy, and is mated to a smooth 9-speed automatic transmission.
That means you pay for added features, with base models starting in the mid-20’s and top ones going into the low $40s. Top safety systems like autonomous braking and forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and rear park assist (with bump prevention) are available.
We liked the triple panoramic sunroof on the high-end version. But the Stow ‘n Go seating that allows both second- and third-row seats to fold flat is handy, too.
“You can carry 64 sheets of 4×8 plywood (1/4 inch) or 32 sheets of ½ inch,’’ says McAlear. “and unlike in a pickup truck, you can keep the wood dry on a rainy day.’’
Driving a Pacifica for several additional days, we achieved the 28 mph highway claim—at least the onboard computer credited us with 28.4 mpg.
As for the notion that the minivan segment is fading away, McAlear thinks otherwise.
“Ten years ago, 17 models were selling about 1 million minivans a year,’’ he says. “Today a half-dozen of us are selling 500,000. That’s still a very viable market.’’
The Pacifica’s infotainment screen arguably is the most user-friendly on the market.
And the available second-row DVR screens offer young ‘uns a variety of apps (games) and viewing options.
My grandson discovered one the next morning: The “Are we there yet?’’ feature.
We were driving from Connecticut to Newburyport, MA, and plugged the route into the Nav system.
From the rear seat, he could monitor our progress.
“Awesome,’’ he said.
That seems to be the early verdict on the Pacifica, too.
It’s Show Time
There are shows all over the area today. Here are some of the bigger ones:
Amesbury. This downtown show (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) also displays cars in the Millyard restoration area. Proceeds go to the coming Carriagetown Museum celebrating Amesbury’s history in carriage building and early automaking.
Elm Bank. The show outgrew its Wellesley estate site and is moving to a larger venue at 45 Hospital Road in Medfield. This 14th annual show will be judged in more than 30 classes and annually draws 800 vehicles.
Cape Cod. The Falmouth Classic Car Club has the first of its three annual events today (10-2) at Marine Park on Scranton Avenue.
Brookline. It’s British Car Day from 10-2 at Larz Anderson Auto Museum.
Epping, N.H. The Orientals Hot Rod Club (est. 1957) is having the New England Hot Rod Hall of Fame event and show today at New England Dragway.
Next week: Thursday, the Heritage Museums and Gardens and Museums in Sandwich goes “Under the Hood’’ from 6-7:30 p.m. with collector Jack Rosen talking about the collecting lifestyle and building his 2002 Can-Am race car. Contact Julie Raynor at 508-888-3300 x175.
Finally, next weekend (July 2-4) is the traditional Cars of Summer show at Green Hill Park in Worcester. Details at carsofsummer.com.
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