Chrysler Pacifica Overview

Chrysler says its Pacifica can't be binned into any existing automotive category. Indeed, the Chrysler Pacifica can't be neatly classified as a minivan, SUV, or station wagon. Chrysler calls it a sports tourer, claiming the Pacifica is a segment buster. We aren't exactly sure of what to call it, other than terrific. It does represent a new kind of six-seat family conveyance.

Pacifica combines the best elements of Chrysler's sporty sedans and pioneering minivans and enhances them with Mercedes-Benz engineering. Pacifica was introduced as a totally new vehicle for 2004. For 2005, the price of entry has dropped with the addition of a new entry model: the five-seat front-wheel-drive model is aggressively priced below $25,000 MSRP.

Pacifica doesn't look like other crossovers, a term usually applied to vehicles that blur the lines between car and sport utility. The Pacifica is roomy and comfortable, whether upholstered in fabric or leather, easy to get in to and out of. In its three-seat configuration, it offers 79.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity; new five-passenger Pacifica offers 92.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

A 210-horsepower V6 powers the five-passenger model. Touring and Limited models get a 250-horsepower V6 from the sporty Chrysler 300M sedan. On the road, Pacifica is smooth and quiet, with a rear suspension that comes from a Mercedes E-Class sedan. All-wheel drive is available, making the Pacifica a good choice for the snow country. The ride is smooth and supple, and the four-wheel antilock disc brakes do a good job of bringing Pacifica to a smooth stop.