The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Makes No Apologies

The 2017 Pacifica Touring L Plus alleviates the minivan stigma.

The struggle is real. Inevitably, there comes a point in most people’s lives when they have to let go of their old set of wheels and trade up to something more family-friendly. It’s the classic suburban scenario.

No doubt you’ve seen a dad at the car lot (you might even be one) moping around with his wife as they check out the latest minivan. He often gets the job of carrying the diaper bag and rushing their toddler, who is in full potty training mode, to the bathroom, while listlessly saying “pee-pee-on-the-potty” for the umpteenth time. Meanwhile, he’s making a mental checklist of what life was like before the number of cup holders and cubic square feet of cargo actually became the hot topic at the dinner table. For added entertainment, you might even see this dad kick a tire or two when he thinks no one is looking.

Unaware that she is torturing her husband, the wife asks the sales guy to show her (again) how the third row folds down, while triple checking that the double stroller fits in the space just right. This might go down as the longest day in this dad’s life––the family buckles into their shiny new family car, mom has a happy glow on her face, and dad sucks it up as the sales guy takes the keys to his old sports car followed by a patronizing nod.

Fast-forward to my own personal account of our minivan purchase, I’ll admit, I was reluctant to let go of my former car. I had sworn off minivans, but couldn’t help but be fascinated by the ease and functionality of them. In short order, I joined the society of minivan-supporters worldwide and stopped making apologies to anti-vanners.

Luckily for those of us parents who find ourselves waffling between the ease of transporting little people and resigning our formerly cool personas, there’s a solution. The folks over at Chrysler understood the struggle to move families while still being able to do so in vogue.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, set out to thoroughly dismantle the minivan stigma. Chrysler invented the minivan segment three decades ago and now they are reinventing the segment with the release of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The Pacifica broke away from the trend and did so in such a way that it’s impossible not to take notice; what could be ever so slightly more impossible is not wanting one. The Pacifica made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year and took center stage, winning the first-ever Utility Vehicle of the Year award and subsequent awards to further back the hype.

Exterior styling is strikingly good looking and offers enhanced features such as LED lighting, chrome accents, and available 20-inch aluminum wheels. Hands-free sliding power doors and lift gate put the ease in easy and the optional Uconnect Theater package and 20-speaker Harman Kardon Sound Group ensure road trips with the kids are all about the bass, not the bickering.

Everything about the Pacifica is well thought out. With its best-in-class interior room, new and innovative technologies, safety features, and a hybrid option that doesn’t sacrifice cargo space, it appeals not only to the family-friendly consumer, but extends to consumers looking for convenience and utility.

Chrysler is going to crush the segment, at least until other manufacturers can get up to speed and deliver the same luxury, convenience, and cool factor. Base models start around $29,000 and premium packages top out around $48,000. You get a whole lot of minivan (and cup holders) for your money and even better news is that it’s priced competitively against the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Kia Sedona. Honestly, all you have to do is test drive the Pacifica to become a believer.

Price as tested: $44,265

Seating: Up to 8

Engine: 3.6-liter V6

Horsepower: 287

Fuel economy: 18/28-mpg city/highway

What I loved: Optional Stow ‘n Vac Integrated Vacuum System that quickly and easily sucks up Cheerios and debris.

Never Veer Off Course Again

The Pacifica offers semi-autonomous features including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning plus, and park assist, which make road trips more enjoyable and safer.

Meanwhile, if you get a hankering for dusting off your cowboy boots and exploring some unique spots in the southern part of Arizona, fill up your tank and check out the small town of Oracle, Arizona.

I test-drove the Pacifica on a quick two-hour drive south east of Phoenix last month. You can kick up your boots by night at the Oracle Inn dancing to a live band, crash under the stars at the Cherry Valley Ranch Bed and Breakfast, and explore the Peppersauce Cave in the Catalina Mountains.