Chrysler Pacifica Reviews

The Chrysler Pacifica is the original crossover, launched by Chrysler before sky high gas prices turbocharged the entire genre. Pacifica ads promise a luxurious sedan-like interior. In the flat world of navigation systems, the Pacifica's oversized display screen– sitting bang in the middle of the speedometer– is an ergonomic triumph. Our test Pacifica came equipped with four separate bucket seats (the base model has a minivan-esque rear bench).

The rears are arranged theater-style. While the rear passengers enjoy terrific vistas all 'round, drivers will find that the Pacifica's rear window bears an uncanny resemblance to a mail slot. Underneath the CD-equipped head unit there's… another CD player. The Chrysler Pacifica ambles to 60 in a little under ten seconds.

Once the Pacifica's 3.5 liter V6 gets rolling, the picture brightens considerably. The big crossover cruises effortlessly at 90mph. Chrysler and our chronically over-optimistic pals at the EPA claim the Chrysler Pacifica gets 17/23 mpg. Our test Pacifica turned in just 16.2.
With struts up front and a five-link self-leveling suspension in the rear, the Pacifica errs on the fun-to-drive side.
The moment DCX installs a more fuel efficient engine is the moment the Pacifica will get the attention it deserves.

The Chrysler Pacifica was one of the original large crossover wagons. In order to combine the driving attributes of a car with the utility offered by minivans and sport-utility vehicles, the Pacifica crossover had four front-hinged doors, an elevated seating position, five- or six-passenger seating and a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Most Recent Chrysler Pacifica
For 2007, the 3.8-liter mill returned in the base front-wheel-drive model, this time rated at 200 hp, and a 4.0-liter V6 replaced the 3.5-liter V6 in all other models. Base 2004 Pacificas featured two-row, five-passenger seating and were fairly comfortable, thanks to niceties such as dual-zone climate control, a power driver seat and a load-leveling suspension. The 2005 base model, meanwhile, lost some standard accoutrements and was priced lower going forward. The 3.8-liter engine is to be avoided, but the 3.5-liter and 4.0-liter V6s are decent performers.