Ever since I saw Jim “Hot Pockets” Gaffigan singing the praises of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring-L Plus, I knew it would be a fun experience. I was a fan of the previous model and was excited to see what its return would evoke. The sleek design and urban flavor of the Pacifica give new meaning to the term ‘minivan.’ Gone is the soccer mom persona and now swaggaliciousness resides here. It’s like the Pacifica is a rolling oxymoron with terms like sleek, sexy and family-oriented wafting through the mind at first glance. Descriptions like those normally don’t hang out in the same circles, but the Pacifica is bridging the gap.
Fluid by design, the 8-Passenger Pacifica Touring-L Plus lives up to its trim level…touring. Ideal for cruising around in comfort, the Pacifica is probably one of the sexiest minivans to hit the marketplace in quite some time.
Fade-away lines that drape over the roof and flow down to the rear, the Pacifica is beyond appealing. Well-placed chrome accents, LED Wrap-Around Tail Lamps, Dual Front Chrome Grilles, Power Heated Fold-Away Mirrors and Premium Fog Lamps are some of the features that have the Pacifica in a lane all its own.
I’m glad the engineers didn’t focus solely on the facelift of the Pacifica. The power and driving experience of this minivan is leaps and bounds ahead of some of their segment buddies. The 3.6L, V6, 24-V, VVT Engine partnered with a 9-Speed FWD Automatic Transmission makes the Pacifica a breeze to navigate.
I have to admit that the drive of the Pacifica rivaled and even surpassed some of my experiences from the SUV segment. The Customer Preferred Package 25J adds more options to create a more dynamic driving experience (for an additional $895) with the Tire and Wheel Group. Added are 18-inch x 7.5-inch Aluminum Painted Satin Silver Wheels, All-Season Tires and Touring Suspension. Smart technology abound, the Pacifica not only has power and grace on the road, it saves you at the pump too. The Active Grille Shutters spring into action to control airflow, thus reducing drag and increasing fuel economy. The combined 22-MPG (18-City and 28-Highway) is respectable for a minivan.
It would appear that the interior design team did not want to be outdone by exterior and powertrain team. As soon as the dual sliding doors were engaged, the party was on. The 2nd and 3rd Stow n Go Seats were both stylish and functional. The cockpit, I mean dashboard was full of all the creature comforts for the ideal driving experience.
The UConnect 8.4 Nav hub, floating center stack console, leather accents with contrasting top-stitching, brushed satin accents, 8-Way Driver and Passenger Seats, Driver and Passenger Stow n Assist Seats, Heated Front and 2nd Row Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Remote Start System, Blu-Ray DVD Player, Video USB Port, 3-Channel Video Remote Control, 13 Alpine Speakers and a 506-Watt Amplifier.
Along with standard safety like multitude of airbags, Blind Spot Cross Path Detection, Security Alarm and the optional Advanced Saftey Tec Group (for an additional $1,995) adds ParkSense Front and Rear Pak Assist with Stop, 360-Degree Surround View Camera System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Full-Speed Forward-Collision Warning Plus, Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers, LATCH Ready Child Seat Anchor System, Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist with Stop and Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control, the Pacifica Touring-L Plus has you covered.
MSRP $42,970