The Pacifica won’t seem like a Chrysler 200 anymore, however I feel we will collectively take into account {that a} good factor.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
When the Chrysler Pacifica first debuted, it leapt to the highest of its class. Over the previous few years, its rivals have whipped up some new tips, so for 2021, Chrysler centered on revamping the Pacifica lineup to present patrons extra alternative, and the outcomes hold this van in competition for prime honors.
LikeEasy experienceTons of usable inside spaceGreat cabin tech
Don’t LikeTop trim runs north of $55,000.Stop-start roughness
Anonymous seems, however who cares?Chrysler first confirmed off its refreshed Pacifica on the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, and several other of my colleagues have been fast to pooh-pooh its new design, calling its entrance finish too boring or nameless or no matter. I’m within the reverse camp; I feel it seems nice, if solely as a result of it now not has the identical entrance finish as a Chrysler 200. Minivans are supposed to be instruments greater than toys, so understated seems signify their utilitarian leanings. The rear finish is far sharper than earlier than, and due to new operating lights on each ends, its nighttime profile is much extra distinctive than it was.But in relation to household automobiles, very similar to one’s personal existence, it is what’s inside that counts. To that finish, the Pacifica completely shines, particularly within the new-for-2021 Pinnacle trim. Yes, it is virtually as costly as a BMW 5 Series, with my tester ringing in at an “oof”-inducing $54,885, together with $1,495 for vacation spot. But, on the similar time, it is almost as luxurious because the Bimmer, thanks to plain trimmings like quilted Nappa leather-based seats, pillows for the second-row captain’s chairs and nearly each trendy function one would anticipate in a minivan.
Yet, choosing all that luxurious does not imply it’s important to compromise in different departments. The powered third row nonetheless stows effortlessly, because of switches mounted close to the liftgate. There’s nonetheless a vacuum tucked again there, too. The solely actual compromise is the dearth of Stow-n-Go second-row seats, however they’ll nonetheless slide up and out of the best way to make room for flat-pack furnishings bins, Christmas bushes, a whole kennel’s value of canine, you title it.Storage has at all times been an essential consider minivan inside design, and the Pacifica Pinnacle goes above and past the bottom trims with what it calls the Ultra Console. This redesigned middle console packs a powerful quantity of storage, from a sneaky tray beneath to a cavernous cubby beneath the armrest. Just under the local weather controls, there is a wi-fi charging tray sizable sufficient to accommodate any telephone at the moment in the marketplace, along with cup holders appropriate for bigger water bottles.
Uconnect 5 is a tech-showcase centerpieceFCA’s Uconnect is one in every of my favourite infotainment techniques as a result of it is easy and simple to be taught. The newest model, Uconnect 5, makes one in every of its first appearances within the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, and no shock, I adore it.
Now residing on a 10.1-inch display screen, Uconnect picks up just a few new tips that make residing with the system even simpler. A beefier processor means sooner boot instances and improved responsiveness, whereas its Bluetooth capabilities broaden to permit a number of concurrent sources. Amazon Alexa functionality is baked in, as are wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. My favourite bit, although, is the brand new residence display screen, which shows a number of corners of the system (e.g. audio, navigation) directly, and there is sufficient display screen decision to make every thing seem good and crisp. USB ports are in every single place, with the entrance row alone packing 4 USB ports, break up evenly between USB-A and USB-C.Uconnect 5 is a darling. It’s loaded with the newest options, and it is all wrapped up in a shell that is straightforward to make use of and memorize with minimal distraction.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
In phrases of cameras, there are sufficient on this Pacifica to present the British CCTV panopticon a run for its cash. The regular backup digital camera packs appropriate decision, and the surround-view digital camera makes parking a breeze. But essentially the most fascinating digital camera is definitely contained in the automobile — a brand new FamCam inside monitor makes use of a roof-mounted lens to keep watch over rear-seat occupants from above, which is nice for paranoid dad and mom desirous to keep watch over just a little one in a rear-facing automobile seat.When it involves security, the Pacifica Pinnacle comes commonplace with nearly every thing. Parking sensors? Check. Active parking help? Check. Adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go performance? Lane-keep help? Automatic emergency braking? Pedestrian and bicycle owner detection? You get the concept.Soft however regular on the roadI’ve at all times appreciated the best way the Pacifica drives, which is extra like a well-dampened automobile than a crossover, and fortunately FCA did not mess with success for the 2021 mannequin. There are, nevertheless, a pair new additions to assist the automaker sustain with the Joneses.My tester rocks the identical engine the Pacifica has at all times utilized, the venerable 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. Here, it makes 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, however what’s new is the power to ship that energy to 4 wheels, slightly than two. A $2,995 upcharge, its newly out there all-wheel-drive getup presents just a little further piece of thoughts for drivers in locales with a couple of or two seasons. I discover it has no impact on the Pacifica’s general character, largely as a result of the rear wheels do not truly interact till the automobile detects slippage up entrance, which boosts gas financial system. The 362-pound weight delta would not appear to have an effect on the shocking quantity of hustle that the Pacifica’s at all times packed, and the V6 nonetheless sounds nice when it is hustling down an on-ramp.Nappa leather-based? In a minivan? Perhaps it’s best to go away the sticky snacks and drinks at residence if you happen to purchase the Pinnacle trim.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
There’s a bit of additional experience top on AWD Pacificas, however from what I can inform it would not have an effect on the dealing with in any respect. This is one impartial minivan, with the correct quantity of physique roll to melt the experience with out making it really feel too wishy-washy, and with adequate damping to take away a lot of the nasty bits on native roads. Like earlier than, it will make an incredible street journey minivan, absorbing the miles and returning loads of consolation for lengthy stretches. The steering is properly weighted, and each the throttle and brake pedals are tuned to make sure clean begins and stops each time. The precise stop-start system, nevertheless, is just a little on the janky facet, with ample jostling when the V6 each cuts out and returns to life.The one place that the AWD system cannot be ignored is within the Pacifica’s fuel-economy estimates. While the front-drive mannequin earns a good 19 miles per gallon metropolis and 28 mpg freeway, the added mechanical complexity of the AWD variant (and the heft that comes with it) drops these figures to 17 and 25, respectively. Thankfully, a light-weight foot can bridge that gulf a bit, as I’m seeing freeway figures nearer to 28 or 29 mpg.Down to brass tacksThe minivan section won’t be essentially the most riveting within the business, but it surely’s not prefer it’s stagnant. The Toyota Sienna is now a hybrid-only affair, with non-obligatory AWD by means of a second electrical motor out again, which lacks the electric-only vary of the Pacifica’s PHEV variant however guarantees 35 mpg mixed. It’s additionally… very uniquely styled. Honda not too long ago refreshed the Odyssey, as nicely, however the adjustments are all minor, so it is slowly changing into the section laggard as Toyota and FCA provide extra routes to effectivity, which is essential in household automobiles of this dimension.If you don’t need your minivan to seem like one thing out of Akira, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is a tough act to beat — however then once more, you could possibly say the identical in regards to the 2017-2020 fashions, as nicely. Throughout the Pacifica’s life cycle, it impressed me with its family-friendly performance and high quality experience, and its newfound versatility solely makes it extra interesting.