2017 Chrysler Pacifica Offers Grown-Up Features for the Kid in You

Could 2017 be the year that the question Are we there yet? begins to make its way toward obsoletion? Perhaps that might sound like a pie-in-the-sky fairy tale; but any way you look at it, parents are likely to hear the phrase less and less as the remarkable all-new Chrysler Pacifica family minivan diligently steps up its game of working hard so that you can stay focused on playing hard.

With almost 200 cubic feet of interior volume and up to 3,600 pounds of towing capacity, the stylish new Pacifica can transport lots and lots of toys both inside and out.

Judging the Book by Its Cover

With fresh architecture from the ground up, the super-sleek Pacifica has valiantly slain the clunky old 'style stigma' of yesteryear like a once-threatening dragon now doomed to extinction. Minivan buyers don't accept compromise on function, explains Jessica LaFond, the chief engineer for Chrysler Pacifica, and our goal was to make it extremely stylish. With an aerodynamic swept-back windshield, enhanced front grille similar to other Chrysler products, and elegantly-tapered exterior lines which soften the athletically-sculpted body, the Pacifica is, without a doubt, the currently-reigning handsome prince of the family-friendly vehicle segment.

But it's the smoothly-integrated combination of beauty and brawn that warrants attention to the design aesthetic as well as admiration for its simultaneous handling of the much-needed heavy lifting. The upgraded 3.6L Pentastar® V6 gasoline engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission to provide 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, thereby offering the most horsepower and torque in its class while maintaining an unsurpassed fuel efficiency of 18/28* MPG. Additionally, the available first-ever hybrid model in its class also offers an incredible 80 MPGe,* a 30*-mile EV range with two-hour 240v recharging time for customers who frequently make short trips around town, and an outstanding 530*-mile combined gas and electric driving range.

The 2017 Pacifica is offered in nine contemporary paint colors (plus the Hybrid-specific Silver Teal), each designed to accentuate the vehicle in varying light conditions.

Ready, Set, Stow 'N Go

With one quick 'open-says-a-me' foot motion, the available hands-free power sliding doors and liftgate automatically unlock and open to provide access to an innovative world of comfort and convenience. From front to back, the ultra-quiet Pacifica is a serene utopia with active noise cancellation, soft-touch materials with Modern French seam stitching, heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar support, and a perfectly-shaped heated steering wheel that's not too thick, not too thin, but juuuust right.

Much like Disney's The Little Mermaid, the Chrysler Pacifica has got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty. This highly-impressive new vehicle introduces 37* segment-first features including a fantastic available tri-pane panoramic sunroof with power dual-pane which stretches an expansive sky-view vista over all three rows of interior seating. Coming in just shy of 200 cubic feet, the extremely-spacious Pacifica has the highest interior volume in its segment and offers roomy seating for up to eight passengers with ample head and knee clearance even for big boys and girls.

But wait; that's not all ... the seats in this all-new family room on wheels can be configured in a whopping 243 different ways! Fold down the center seat of the second row, and voila, you have an armrest, cup holder, and storage bin. You need wider access to youngsters seated on the third row? The class-exclusive Easy Tilt feature gently shifts the second-row seat forward at the pull of a lever, even if it contains an unoccupied infant car seat. And when you need everybody and everything out of the way for maximum cargo room, it's no problem whatsoever. The simple-to-use class-exclusive* Stow 'N Go® Seating and Storage System provides in-floor stow-a-way space for both the second and third row of seats; or alternatively, you can pack away lots and lots of everyday items, equipment, and gear.

Little messes are bound to happen, but the Chrysler Pacifica offers an array of features like the optional Stow 'n Vac integrated vacuum to help clean things up.

Got Little Pigs?

Let's face it, life can get kinda messy sometimes. No need to worry though, the Pacifica can help you clean things up in a jiffy. Its optional Stow 'n Vac integrated vacuum, offered at the Limited trim level, is intentionally located near the second row since that's where the most dirt generally tends to accumulate. The system's lightweight hose reaches all corners of the van; however, a longer accessory docked on the driver's side can also be used for extended reach.

Organization is a snap as well since the Pacifica is outfitted with an array of convenient built-in compartments and helpful doodads like the rear-cargo hooks that allow grocery bags to hang securely in place. Well-thought-out highlights also include side-floor storage for wet umbrellas, an easily-accessible covered slot for your phone, a good-sized deep drawer with coin tray, and even a big handy paperclip that's built right into the sun visor. For maximum efficiency, large purses also have a slip-resistant designated home located in the opening just between the drink storage console and the attractively-glossy piano-black center stack.

Pacifica keeps the kiddos entertained with fun interactive apps and games which is a major contributing factor in making it the most kid-friendly* minivan in its class.

Button, Button, Who'll Push the Button?

As the most technologically-advanced vehicle in its class,* the Chrysler Pacifica is out of this world in the information delivery department. Imagine yourself sitting at the driver's helm of this interactive mission control station with standard Rotary E-shift dial, available Wifi and apps, an extensive set of Eyes Free voice recognition options, and toggle switches right at your literal fingertips which control the 20-speaker Harman Kardon® Premium Surround Sound System.

To help you maintain a forward-facing posture while staying abreast of what's going on behind, the Pacifica comes with a convex flip-down mirror for cabin conversations as well as an extremely high-quality back up camera with wide-angle lens or an available 360-degree surround view which each display via the easily-personalized 8.4-inch UConnect® Touchscreen Interface. And that, you might say, is like having eyes in the back of your head.

The real key, however, to unlocking your impending superhero status lies in the discreetly-placed but conveniently-located USB port which can quickly be engaged to unleash the power of the most advanced entertainment systems in the class.* To keep energetic little rug rats blissfully entertained in the backseat with remote controls in hand, the available Uconnect® Theater features a dual set of 10-inch seatback-mounted HD touchscreens that can simultaneously display separate streams of video or a host of time-occupying built-in games like Tic-Tac-Toe, Solitaire, Checkers, and the good ol' standby License Plate Game.

The Pacifica offers advanced technological features right at your fingertips along with plenty of useable storage space for purses, phones, and personal items.

Hold Your Horses

With more than 100 advanced safety and security features, the forward-thinking Pacifica automatically helps you react to a variety of situations or quickly whoa down the vehicle when necessary. From the moment you pull out of the driveway, turn-by-turn navigation instructions can be routed with exceptionally crisp configurable graphics to the 7-inch full-color Driver Information Display nestled directly within the instrument cluster gauges. Audio and visual alerts, as well as advanced driver-assistance features, also keep you informed about speedometer readings, fuel economy, nearby obstacles, or rapidly-approaching vehicles.

Keeping you on the right track, the Chrysler Pacifica uses a camera-based vision sensor for its LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist to help prevent you from unintentionally veering across any lines ... even in those brief moments when you imagine exclaiming, Look Ma, no hands! The Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking System also monitors the road ahead to detect and help prevent any potential impact, and you can ride easy knowing that the available Adaptive Cruise Control with full stop and go functionality will maintain a safe set distance between you and the vehicle ahead.

The highly-impressive Pacifica introduces 37* segment-first features, over 100 advanced safety and security features, and a whopping 243 different seating configurations.

Tag, You're It

Chrysler's focus on increasing overall body strength and torsional stiffness through the extensive use of high-strength steels and aluminum closures has resulted in a reduction in weight of over 240 pounds as compared to the van's predecessor. And while the surprisingly-tight turning radius gave us particular notice of the optimized precision and nimble agility, it's the available ParkSense® Rear Park Assist and Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist systems that make awkward parking maneuvers easy-peasy, even in cramped spaces.

So now it's your turn to experience all that this upscale sedan-like minivan imported from Detroit has to offer. Chrysler's mission to hit this one out of the park has no doubt been accomplished as the Pacifica is, without question, in a league of its own. With buyers pleasantly captivated by so many notably-new features, at least some of those old memories of in-car boredom and exasperating cries of He's touching me! will most assuredly fade away unnoticed into the far distant past.

Test drive for yourself the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica with an MSRP* starting at just $28,595 or see additional information, videos, and more by visiting online at:

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