10 Reasons Why the All-New Chrysler Pacifica May be the Best Minivan Ever

Chrysler Pacifica ・ Photo by Chrysler

There’s some pretty stiff competition in the minivan market these days, but after spending some time with the all-new 2017 Pacifica, it’s safe to say Chrysler’s got a new favorite on their hands. Even parents who are squeamish about considering a minivan will be surprised at how Chrysler managed to transform the suburban hauler’s typical utilitarian vibe into something beyond functional. Believe it or not, Pacifica is proof that a minivan can be both luxurious and desirable.

While this minivan shares many features with the others out there today, let’s take a look at why Pacifica may be the best:

1. It’s the first hybrid minivan — ever

You read that correctly: the Chrysler Pacifica is going to be available as the very first hybrid minivan on the market. Actually, its even better than a hybrid; it’s a plug-in hybrid, which means that you can charge it up, run your errands around town, and potentially use all electric energy while you do it. But with the hybrid engine, you can still take the Pacifica along on your next family road trip; the engine will switch to gas when you’ve run out of electric charge and won’t leave you stranded. The flexibility a plug-in minivan can provide matters to a lot of modern parents out there, and saving money at the pump matters even more. (In case you're wondering, they estimate Pacifica will have a 30-mile electric range before it switches over to gasoline.)

2. It’s the first minivan with handsfree power sliding doors

You’ve seen it before—swipe your foot beneath the tailgate and it opens automatically. But Pacifica now offers the same functionality for the side sliding doors as well. No more fumbling for the key fob while trying to get the kids inside the car and out of the parking lot. Ask any parent—that’s a gamechanger.

Photo by Carrie Kim

3. You can tip the second row seat forward, even with a car seat installed

This little feature is actually huge; the bucket seats in the second row can tip forward, even with the car seat installed. Chrysler calls this "Easy Tilt" and it helps to grant convenient access to the third row, without having to squeeze between the middle of the second row captain’s chairs. That means both kids and adults can pile in easily, and parents won’t have to suffer through the hassles of removing and re-installing child safety seats. Pacifica is only the third vehicle to offer this functionality (Infiniti and Nissan offer it in their three-row crossovers, QX60 and Pathfinder)—and it’s a big one.

Photo by Carrie Kim

4. The third row is just as comfy as the second row

Speaking of the third row, this is why we really look to the minivans and three row crossovers in the first place, right? Often needed when Grandma and Grandpa are in town or to join in on carpool duty, third rows are highly sought after, but often just too cramped to be used regularly. No need to fear sitting in the back of the Pacifica; not only is it a comfy ride, but you get your own USB port to keep your devices charged and multiple cupholders and storage bins to bring along all your creature comforts for the journey ahead. Additionally, thanks to Pacifica’s second row cantilevered seats with unimpeded foot room underneath, you can stretch your legs and find extra room to rest your feet.

Photo by Carrie Kim

5. Second row seats prevent injury and add storage

One of the stars of the show is the Pacifica’s new cantilevered seat design. You won't see seats like this in any other vehicle. They’re smart because they are designed so that you won’t risk smashing your third row passengers’ feet when you put the second row seat back into place.  The open space underneath also makes for the perfect spot to stow your child’s winter coat—especially once they’ve taken it off to get into their car seat safely and securely. You could also stash some extra diapers, a small backpack or even some beach towels without adding clutter inside the cabin.

Photo by Carrie Kim

6. There are LATCH anchors for up to five rear seating positions

There are nearly no limits to how many kiddos can ride along in the 2017 Pacifica (except maybe your sanity), because there are LATCH anchors for up to five seating positions in the Pacifica. Two sets of LATCH anchors are available in both the second and third rows, and if you purchase the additional eighth seat that clicks in-between the second row captain’s chairs, it’s equipped with LATCH as well. You’re lucky to have three sets in most vehicles!

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

7. UCONNECT THEATRE and in-vehicle apps

With Chrysler’s UCONNECT Theatre, the 2017 Pacifica is an electronic fun zone on wheels. Two touchscreen displays are loaded with games and apps and are guaranteed to keep the kids busy, along with a DVD/Blu-ray player located up front. UCONNECT enables parents to control the content on the displays and “listen in” with a touch of a button on the main infotainment screen to check in on what they’re watching.

Connectivity is seemingly limitless for all devices inside the Pacifica. An HDMI input is available for each screen, USB ports are available in every row, and a wireless hotspot can even provide streaming video content if your family prefers to go digital. Tablets, smartphones and gaming consoles can all be charged and simultaneously inside the cabin.

If you’re concerned about all the screen time while on the road, let go of the parent guilt by utilizing the educational games, like the math flash cards included the Pacifica’s arsenal of apps. And if you decide to take a break from electronics along the way, the "Are We There Yet?" app can come in pretty handy; it will display how much time and distance is left until arrival—(hopefully) reducing the chances of that all-too-familiar question being asked over and over again.

Photo by Carrie Kim

8. There’s a vacuum cleaner in the second row

Yeah, Honda Odyssey brought the vacuum cleaner to the minivan first, but they put it all the way back in the cargo area. Pacifica’s built-in vacuum cleaner, Stow & Vac, is in the second row. Right where you need it most, it's easy to clean up grassy foot traffic coming in straight from the soccer field, pet hair after the extra family members come along for the ride, and most definitely when all those stray cheerios spill from the infant seat in the second row.

9. No fake wood and plasticky trim

Because minivans are supposed to be functional, they don’t usually come equipped with luxurious finishes. Pacifica ditches the plastic fake-wood trim found in the minivan your mom drove and features sophisticated color palettes, soft-touch surfaces and thoughtful design details. Everything about this posh interior challenges any notions you may have had on what a minivan should look like on the inside.

10. Stow & Go Assist keeps your perfect seating position

Chrysler's Stow 'n Go feature has been around for a long time, but it still deserves mention. Stow 'n Go allows the seats to fold down completely flat into the floor for maximum cargo capability, without having to physically remove the seats from the vehicle. It's great news for your big home improvement projects, but not so great if you've spent time adjusting the front seats to reach your perfect seating position. Stow & Go Assist is a new update that solves the problem completely—it will move the front row seats forward electronically for you so you can stow your second row seats into the floor, but once they’re down, the front seats are automatically moved back to the exact same spot that they originally were.