Although Chrysler doesn't like to hear the Pacifica described as a "crossover" (part of the marketing strategy, you know) few vehicles fit under this heading so well as the company's new six-seater. Loosely defined as smart packages of minivan, SUV and wagon attributes, most crossovers to date have favored SUV (MDX, RX 330 and so on) or wagon (Outback, XC70) identities. To look at the Pacifica is to see another tall wagon (or short-statured SUV), but this one is a great deal larger than any Outback — large enough in fact to accommodate three rows of seating with a pair of captain's chairs in both the first and second rows. Such a seating arrangement is nothing new to anyone who has ever driven a minivan or a Buick Rendezvous, but the Pacifica manages to pull it off while incorporating a measure of style inside and out that makes a break with the parent-for-life image associated with high-capacity vehicles.
Is this a combination that U.S. buyers will want? As the Pacifica is the first jointly engineered product of the 1998 Chrysler-DaimlerBenz "merger of equals," Chrysler is counting on consumers' sustained desire for vehicles that look something like SUVs but don't drive like them to make it a success. And based on the full test we recently conducted, we'll offer a cautious "yes." Actually, we'll do one better than that — that is, buy our own Pacifica, keep it in the long-term test fleet for two years, get all of our editors (and their families) into it and report back on our findings.
There was a certain amount of excitement surrounding the release of Chrysler's multitalented vehicle, at least in Southern California, so when it came time to make the purchase, there wasn't a lot of choice. Pacificas were being snapped up soon after they landed on the local car lots. We decided to check the current state of Internet car buying and do this deal completely on-line — negotiation and all. That was the idea, anyway. Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed documented the buying experience:
Our test vehicle is equipped with the all-wheel-drive system, which gives it the all-weather capability that many buyers seek in a crossover vehicle. Light off-roading is not within its grasp, as it sits less than six inches off the ground. Fortunately, what the Pacifica trades away in ruggedness, it gets back in the form of more carlike ride and handling characteristics.
During the Pacifica's first month with our staff, a pair of editors got to know the vehicle through daily commutes and a couple of road trips. One thing they agreed on right away is that the 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 (the only available engine) comes up a little short when given the task of lugging about a 4,700-pound AWD model like ours.
In case you're interested, fuel economy is estimated at 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway for AWD Pacificas. After 3,400 miles, our test vehicle is averaging a very unimpressive 15.8 mpg — we're definitely hoping for some better numbers in the coming months.
Our long-termer's road manners elicited more favorable comments from our editors. "On a long stretch of Interstate 5, the Pacifica really hit its stride, delivering a smooth, comfortable and quiet ride," Brian said. "There is a bit of wind noise that seems to come from the top part of the windshield where it meets the roof, but it's only noticeable at speeds over 70 mph."
"For better or worse, the Pacifica handles like a particularly nimble minivan," Erin wrote. "Nicely weighted steering and relatively sharp reflexes around turns are balanced against a sizable turning radius and a fair amount of body roll around said turns. Throughout it all, the ride remains soft and absorbent, making this crossover an agreeable companion for almost any kind of driving."
One attribute that really caught Erin's attention was the excellent brake feel that accompanies the standard four-wheel antilock disc setup. "Brake action is sure and progressive despite the vehicle's hefty curb weight," she said. "It's also much improved over that of every other Chrysler product I've driven."
Inside, the Pacifica's accommodations aren't perfect for a vehicle with a premium price tag, but our test vehicle's two-tone ensemble (accented by faux wood and aluminum) creates a European ambience. "The interior as a whole looks nice and upscale," Brian said, "but too many surfaces seem to be going for more of a durable look and feel rather than classy and expensive. It's all very well put together, but a few plastic pieces look and feel cheap."
"Interior materials are certainly a couple steps up from the drab furnishings in the 300M and Chrysler's minivans," Erin wrote, "though they're not up to the level of those of the elite import brands our Pacifica is now competing with given its $41K as-tested price tag (the cheap floor mats are a big offender). Nevertheless, I like them better than the stuff in the 2004 Cadillac SRX. Beyond simply providing for the requisite soft-touch surfaces, the Pacifica's materials have upscale grain patterns that coordinate from panel to panel. Although the leather package should come with real wood trim, the simulated inlays are surprisingly warm and realistic in appearance."
Both editors grew to like the front captain's chairs, which proved supportive enough for Erin's hour-long commutes and Brian's 1,000-mile road trip. "I didn't like the seats at first," he wrote in the log, "but on a long trip they proved to be quite comfortable. As the temperature outside reached 104 F, I was wishing for cooled seats or [at least] seats that breathed a little more — the Town & Country has softer seats it seems." Erin appreciated our long-termer's adjustable pedals and seat memory, which helped her find — and keep — the right driving position. If only she could have found a secure location for her 1.5-liter water bottle; neither of the front cupholders was large enough for the task and bottles could often be found rolling about the front-passenger footwell.
Although the Pacifica provides an expansive view of the road ahead from the driver seat, rearward visibility is not good at all. The rearmost pillars are very wide, and Chrysler didn't see fit to include reverse sensors on the factory options list. "Without a human spotter, parallel parking the Pacifica is guesswork," said Erin. "Tilting down the passenger-side mirror is the best you can do."
Neither driver was ready to deliver a verdict on the usefulness of the Pacifica's somewhat unconventional rear seating layout, but Brian related this interesting anecdote:
Other comments this month involved the Infinity sound system, which Brian really enjoyed, and the navigation system's display within the gauge cluster, which Erin found particularly convenient. "This is one of the better DVD-based navigation systems on the market," she remarked. "It was easy to enter an address using the directional buttons immediately to the right of the instrument panel. And I liked the display's colorful graphics and the continually updated city information at the bottom of the screen."
After making a few shopping trips, Erin concluded that she liked the grocery bag hooks on the backs of the front seats (a carryover from the Chrysler minivan family), but that the placement of the release levers on the backs of the third-row seats left something to be desired. "For some reason," she penned in her notes, "I just couldn't get the proper leverage to lift up the seat backs by reaching in from the cargo bay (and it's not as if this is my first time using fold-flat seats) — I kept having to climb all the way into the cargo bay to perform the maneuver. Whenever I did this, I couldn't avoid stepping on the broad rear bumper (it creaked under my weight), which I was surprised to find did not have a scratchguard as is typically found on minivans, SUVs and wagons. Hopefully, a dealer will be willing to sell us one for a nominal price to protect the paint from unnecessary damage."
In terms of actual cargo space, the Pacifica's capacity is closer to that of an SUV or wagon than a minivan. With the third-row seats upright, there's just 13 cubic feet of space, which was not enough to accommodate Erin's wheeled carry-on suitcase. If you can limit yourself to four or five occupants, there's considerably more space to go around — 43.5 cubes when both third-row seats are down.
Although both editors acknowledged that their feelings toward the Pacifica were generally positive, neither thought of it as an end-all choice for premium family transportation. A minivan would be more practical for families of six, while any number of sedans and wagons would do just as well for families of four. And based on the gas mileage we're getting at this point, it's hard to argue that the Pacifica is a more efficient alternative to a traditional SUV. Brian brought up another issue for anyone shopping the Chrysler against its Acura and Lexus competitors to mull over: "I can't help but wonder if Chrysler/Jeep dealers are going to give Pacifica customers the type of attention and service the buyer of a $40,000 car would expect."
Check back for our next installment, in which another set of Edmunds.com editors will judge the Pacifica's ability to haul family and friends in a manner that upholds its premium price tag.
Current Odometer: 3,407
Best Fuel Economy: 18.1 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 10.6 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 15.8 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None
Is this a combination that U.S. buyers will want? As the Pacifica is the first jointly engineered product of the 1998 Chrysler-DaimlerBenz "merger of equals," Chrysler is counting on consumers' sustained desire for vehicles that look something like SUVs but don't drive like them to make it a success. And based on the full test we recently conducted, we'll offer a cautious "yes." Actually, we'll do one better than that — that is, buy our own Pacifica, keep it in the long-term test fleet for two years, get all of our editors (and their families) into it and report back on our findings.
There was a certain amount of excitement surrounding the release of Chrysler's multitalented vehicle, at least in Southern California, so when it came time to make the purchase, there wasn't a lot of choice. Pacificas were being snapped up soon after they landed on the local car lots. We decided to check the current state of Internet car buying and do this deal completely on-line — negotiation and all. That was the idea, anyway. Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed documented the buying experience:
"Using the 'free quotes' feature on Edmunds.com, I sent inquiries to four competing dealerships in the South Los Angeles area. My e-mail requested a listing of specific vehicles and their prices. The return e-mails were invitations to come into the dealership and choose from the units available. I persisted with questions about specific trim levels, colors and options. The most responsive salesperson was Linda Morgan at Don Kott Chrysler-Jeep in Carson, Calif.The Pacifica we brought home from the dealership has almost every available option — besides the nav and entertainment systems, it includes leather upholstery, seat heaters, a power liftgate, bi-xenon headlamps, the upgraded Infinity Intermezzo sound system, six-disc CD changer, a sunroof, 17-inch chrome wheels (in lieu of the standard alloy set) and preparation for Sirius Satellite Radio (though we don't have that up and running, yet). Together, this explains how a $33,000 competitor of the Rendezvous and Honda Pilot has become a $41,000 vehicle in the company of luxury-branded vehicles like the MDX, RX 330 and Volvo XC90.
"In an odd turn of fate, a friend asked me for a recommendation for a good Chrysler dealer because he wanted to buy a PT Cruiser. I gave him Linda's name. Shortly thereafter, Linda called me and said, 'Thank you for the referral to your friend for the PT Cruiser. He's picking it up tonight. Now, let's get you into a Pacifica.' I enjoyed her enthusiasm and, furthermore, she said they had a vehicle that matched our request, a fully loaded Stone White Pacifica that included the navigation system and the rear entertainment system.
"The MSRP for this vehicle was $41,170 and our Edmunds.com True Market Value price (the average price other consumers paid) was less than $100 less. We were able to get the price down below TMV with a bit of haggling, but when we informed Linda that we were with Edmunds.com, she gave us a bottom-line price of $39,000 for a two-year corporate lease. We asked that extra mileage (a total of 35,000 miles for two years) be included and we put no money down. Our monthly payment is $861.20.
"The delivery process at Don Kott was very pleasant. We were greeted by Linda and Fleet/Internet Manager Greg Paulus, who discussed the issue of negotiating for cars via e-mail. He said customers frequently negotiate in this way and are, increasingly, coming to expect this kind of exchange. The Pacifica was prepped, washed, gassed and waiting for us in the driveway outside. Greg and Linda demonstrated the features to us and we picked up the contracts that had to be signed. I had the documents signed and returned. Later, we decided we wanted an invoice for our records and Linda quickly mailed it to us. It was as easy a deal as I've done in my three years here at Edmunds."
Our test vehicle is equipped with the all-wheel-drive system, which gives it the all-weather capability that many buyers seek in a crossover vehicle. Light off-roading is not within its grasp, as it sits less than six inches off the ground. Fortunately, what the Pacifica trades away in ruggedness, it gets back in the form of more carlike ride and handling characteristics.
During the Pacifica's first month with our staff, a pair of editors got to know the vehicle through daily commutes and a couple of road trips. One thing they agreed on right away is that the 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 (the only available engine) comes up a little short when given the task of lugging about a 4,700-pound AWD model like ours.
"With one or two adults onboard, the 3.5-liter V6 feels adequate in most situations," Road Test Editor Erin Riches wrote in the logbook. "Had there been additional people and luggage, I doubt that it would have felt as strong as it did. Acceleration around town is just fine, as is its ability to execute passing maneuvers on L.A. freeways, thanks largely to the sharp, well-timed downshifts from the four-speed automatic transmission. The Pacifica's reserves got a little thin when climbing grades and whenever it was required to get right up to a 70-to-75-mph cruising speed when merging onto a fast-moving interstate. The transmission was frequently shifting in and out of overdrive to maintain speed on uphill grades. This kind of behavior would be nothing unusual to most people, but when the window sticker reads $41K, you expect a vehicle to have more than adequate power. In general, the engine works harder than most. While I enjoyed its hearty growls under heavy throttle, those give way to a coarse (for this price bracket, anyway) drone as the engine revs to keep pace on hills.Road Test Editor Brian Moody gave a similar report: "After spending three days and logging more than 1,000 miles in the Pacifica, I can safely say it needs more power. It downshifts too frequently and seems to struggle a bit up hills — I never had to pull over to let faster cars by, but man, did that engine sound like it was really working."
"The Pacifica's curb weight is the biggest problem here — this V6 is quite enjoyable in the 300M sedan, which weighs over 1,000 pounds less. I would recommend that buyers living in mild-to-temperate climates skip the all-wheel drive. You'll save a couple hundred pounds and likely enjoy noticeable improvements in acceleration and gas mileage."
In case you're interested, fuel economy is estimated at 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway for AWD Pacificas. After 3,400 miles, our test vehicle is averaging a very unimpressive 15.8 mpg — we're definitely hoping for some better numbers in the coming months.
Our long-termer's road manners elicited more favorable comments from our editors. "On a long stretch of Interstate 5, the Pacifica really hit its stride, delivering a smooth, comfortable and quiet ride," Brian said. "There is a bit of wind noise that seems to come from the top part of the windshield where it meets the roof, but it's only noticeable at speeds over 70 mph."
"For better or worse, the Pacifica handles like a particularly nimble minivan," Erin wrote. "Nicely weighted steering and relatively sharp reflexes around turns are balanced against a sizable turning radius and a fair amount of body roll around said turns. Throughout it all, the ride remains soft and absorbent, making this crossover an agreeable companion for almost any kind of driving."
One attribute that really caught Erin's attention was the excellent brake feel that accompanies the standard four-wheel antilock disc setup. "Brake action is sure and progressive despite the vehicle's hefty curb weight," she said. "It's also much improved over that of every other Chrysler product I've driven."
Inside, the Pacifica's accommodations aren't perfect for a vehicle with a premium price tag, but our test vehicle's two-tone ensemble (accented by faux wood and aluminum) creates a European ambience. "The interior as a whole looks nice and upscale," Brian said, "but too many surfaces seem to be going for more of a durable look and feel rather than classy and expensive. It's all very well put together, but a few plastic pieces look and feel cheap."
"Interior materials are certainly a couple steps up from the drab furnishings in the 300M and Chrysler's minivans," Erin wrote, "though they're not up to the level of those of the elite import brands our Pacifica is now competing with given its $41K as-tested price tag (the cheap floor mats are a big offender). Nevertheless, I like them better than the stuff in the 2004 Cadillac SRX. Beyond simply providing for the requisite soft-touch surfaces, the Pacifica's materials have upscale grain patterns that coordinate from panel to panel. Although the leather package should come with real wood trim, the simulated inlays are surprisingly warm and realistic in appearance."
Both editors grew to like the front captain's chairs, which proved supportive enough for Erin's hour-long commutes and Brian's 1,000-mile road trip. "I didn't like the seats at first," he wrote in the log, "but on a long trip they proved to be quite comfortable. As the temperature outside reached 104 F, I was wishing for cooled seats or [at least] seats that breathed a little more — the Town & Country has softer seats it seems." Erin appreciated our long-termer's adjustable pedals and seat memory, which helped her find — and keep — the right driving position. If only she could have found a secure location for her 1.5-liter water bottle; neither of the front cupholders was large enough for the task and bottles could often be found rolling about the front-passenger footwell.
Although the Pacifica provides an expansive view of the road ahead from the driver seat, rearward visibility is not good at all. The rearmost pillars are very wide, and Chrysler didn't see fit to include reverse sensors on the factory options list. "Without a human spotter, parallel parking the Pacifica is guesswork," said Erin. "Tilting down the passenger-side mirror is the best you can do."
Neither driver was ready to deliver a verdict on the usefulness of the Pacifica's somewhat unconventional rear seating layout, but Brian related this interesting anecdote:
"I like the 2+2+2 seating configuration, but it made for some odd passenger arrangements. My wife and I took our 10-month-old son to see his great-grandma. Well, great-grandma has a 'special friend' she's been spending a lot of time with, and they both wanted to accompany the three of us to dinner. We had a baby seat in one of the second-row chairs, then great-grandma in the other second-row seat, then great-grandma's 'friend' all by himself in the third row. Needless to say, we ended up taking two separate cars. A normal car would allow you to put baby (or another adult) in the middle of the second row with two adults on either side."On the plus side, however many passengers you manage to coax into the Pacifica will be protected by a full menu of standard airbags, including the head curtain variety. And this new Chrysler has already picked up a perfect five-star sweep in front- and side-impact crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Other comments this month involved the Infinity sound system, which Brian really enjoyed, and the navigation system's display within the gauge cluster, which Erin found particularly convenient. "This is one of the better DVD-based navigation systems on the market," she remarked. "It was easy to enter an address using the directional buttons immediately to the right of the instrument panel. And I liked the display's colorful graphics and the continually updated city information at the bottom of the screen."
After making a few shopping trips, Erin concluded that she liked the grocery bag hooks on the backs of the front seats (a carryover from the Chrysler minivan family), but that the placement of the release levers on the backs of the third-row seats left something to be desired. "For some reason," she penned in her notes, "I just couldn't get the proper leverage to lift up the seat backs by reaching in from the cargo bay (and it's not as if this is my first time using fold-flat seats) — I kept having to climb all the way into the cargo bay to perform the maneuver. Whenever I did this, I couldn't avoid stepping on the broad rear bumper (it creaked under my weight), which I was surprised to find did not have a scratchguard as is typically found on minivans, SUVs and wagons. Hopefully, a dealer will be willing to sell us one for a nominal price to protect the paint from unnecessary damage."
In terms of actual cargo space, the Pacifica's capacity is closer to that of an SUV or wagon than a minivan. With the third-row seats upright, there's just 13 cubic feet of space, which was not enough to accommodate Erin's wheeled carry-on suitcase. If you can limit yourself to four or five occupants, there's considerably more space to go around — 43.5 cubes when both third-row seats are down.
Although both editors acknowledged that their feelings toward the Pacifica were generally positive, neither thought of it as an end-all choice for premium family transportation. A minivan would be more practical for families of six, while any number of sedans and wagons would do just as well for families of four. And based on the gas mileage we're getting at this point, it's hard to argue that the Pacifica is a more efficient alternative to a traditional SUV. Brian brought up another issue for anyone shopping the Chrysler against its Acura and Lexus competitors to mull over: "I can't help but wonder if Chrysler/Jeep dealers are going to give Pacifica customers the type of attention and service the buyer of a $40,000 car would expect."
Check back for our next installment, in which another set of Edmunds.com editors will judge the Pacifica's ability to haul family and friends in a manner that upholds its premium price tag.
Current Odometer: 3,407
Best Fuel Economy: 18.1 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 10.6 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 15.8 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None
Add A Comment »
rdvta says:
01:35 PM, 07/16/2010
This is 2010 and I just purchased a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica, 6 passenger, AWD with fairly high mileage. However, it still looks new and drives like you're sitting in your own private jet. This is like a good blend of an SUV -- Minivan -- and Station Wagon. There are many accessories, it's well appointed, and the seats are very comfortable and supporting (mine has lumbar support). The power gear box makes a "klunking" (a common problem I have discovered) but the seller made adequate compensation to get fixed at the dealer. It has plenty of power and drives very smoothly, corners well, and braking is excellent with 4-wheel discs. I found the visibility is challenging and you want to bring plenty of money for gas. Seats fold down for carrying all my equipment and the strong looks convey a good business image. Auto leveling suspension for heavier loads! Yea, it has shortcomings like all other cars, but I am very happy overall with this vehicle and I don't mind driving a car that is no longer made.