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2019 Chrysler Pacifica

2019 Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica is a family-focused minivan designed to replace the Town &amp; Country. It offers a long list of standard features in addition to an interior that's as capacious as it is versatile.<p><strong>Recent changes</strong></p><p>For the latest model year, Chrysler added more standard features to the Pacifica.</p><p><strong>Overview</strong></p><p>The Pacifica stands out as both stylish and aerodynamic. It falls in line with Chrysler's latest design language by adopting styling cues such as a rippled hood and sleek headlights that are neatly integrated into a narrow grille. Chrome-look trim on the lower part of the bumper adds an elegant touch to the front fascia, while the rear end wears horizontal tail lamps and a roof-mounted spoiler.</p><p>Under the sheet metal lies a brand new platform that makes the Pacifica nearly 250 pounds lighter than its predecessor. The diet improves fuel economy, while making the van more dynamic to drive. Every bit counts, right?</p><p><strong>Life aboard</strong></p><p>The versatile cabin is highlighted by Chrysler's clever Stow 'n Go feature. Stow 'n Go allows the second and third rows of seats to be easily and quickly folded into the floor, creating a flat loading space for cargo. Seven passenger seating is the default configuration, while the second-row captain's chairs can be swapped out for a bench seat to create room for eight people.</p><p>The Pacifica is more kid-friendly than ever thanks to available features like a built-in vacuum cleaner and an entertainment system for the rear passengers. </p><p>Few will be surprised to hear that cargo capacity is one of the Pacifica's strong points. The van offers 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, and 87.5 cubes behind the second row. With both rows folded flat, the Pacifica boasts an impressive 140.5 cubic feet of trunk space. If you're after maximum space, the minivan remains the best way to go.</p><p><strong>Connectivity</strong></p><p>The Pacifica comes with Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system. Base and mid-range trim levels use a five-inch touch screen, while the top two models benefit from a more user-friendly 8.4-inch screen.</p><p>Generally regarded as one of the more user-friendly infotainment setups on the market, Uconnect Access integrates most of the Pacifica's audio, navigation, and climate control functions into one unit. The touch screen is the central component of the system, but redundant buttons and knobs for climate and audio volume and tuning are also included.</p><p><strong>Under the hood</strong></p><p>The base Pacifica comes with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that makes 287 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 262 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. The six-cylinder spins the front wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission controlled by a rotary knob located on the center console. </p><p>According to the EPA, fuel economy checks in at 18 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg in a combined cycle. </p><p>If it's efficiency you're after, consider the Pacifica Hybrid. It teams the aforementioned six-cylinder with an electric motor linked to a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack to deliver 32 mpg in a combined cycle. The Pacifica Hybrid also boasts an electric-only range of up to 33 miles when its pack is fully charged.</p><p><strong>Trim level breakdown</strong></p><p>The Pacifica lineup is broken down into six trim levels called L, LX, Touring Plus, Touring L, Touring L Plus, and Limited, respectively. Note the Hybrid model only comes in Touring Plus, Touring L, and Limited trims.</p><p>The base L comes standard with a so-called normal duty suspension, black door handles, 17-inch steel wheels with plastic hubcaps, halogen headlights, manual climate control for the front passengers only, dome lights, a day/night rear-view mirror, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering column, a urethane steering wheel, a trip computer, power windows, cloth upholstery, Stow 'n Go seating, a seven-inch display for the infotainment system, a six-speaker stereo, rear parking sensors, remote keyless entry, and a tire pressure monitoring system.</p><p>The LX model brings a start/stop system, what Chrysler calls a Touring-tuned suspension, body-colored door handles, 17-inch alloy wheels, three-zone temperature control, LED dome lights, overhead ambient lighting, a multi-function steering wheel, and in-floor storage bins.</p><p>Stepping up to the Touring model brings automatic headlights, power sliding doors, rear reading lights, and SiriusXM satellite radio. </p><p>The Touring-L model benefits from bright door handles, a sprinkling of chrome accents, black roof rails, a power liftgate, projector headlights, halogen fog lights, LED tail lamps, window shades for the second and third rows of seats, triple-zone automatic A/C, a light in the glove box, a flood light built into the liftgate, leather upholstery, heated front seats, grocery bag hooks in the seat backs, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.</p><p>Touring-L Plus builds on Touring-L with bright roof rails, one-touch up/down second row windows, a seven-inch color TFT screen built into the instrument cluster, overhead ambient surround lighting, illuminated cup holders, a bigger 8.4-inch screen for the infotainment system, perforated leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel.</p><p>Notably, Touring-L Plus is the only trim level that comes with Chrysler's Uconnect Theater. Developed to keep kids occupied on long road trips, Uconnect Theater bundles a 115-volt power outlet, 13 speakers, three-channel wireless speakers, Blu-ray/DVD player/USB ports, a 506-watt amplifier, a three-channel video remote control, ten-inch screens built into the seat backs, and third-row USB charge ports.</p><p>Finally, Limited gets a tri-pane panoramic sunroof, HID headlights, LED fog lights, chromed, power-folding exterior mirrors with a memory function, 18-inch alloys, hands-free sliding doors, footwell courtesy lights, front door search lights, 3D navigation, ventilated front seats, a memory function for the driver's seat, a power one-touch folding third row seat, a two-tone steering wheel, and a built-in vacuum cleaner.</p><p>Buyers can choose from over half a dozen option packages. Notably, the Advance SafetyTec Group bundles advanced brake assist, a lane departure warning system, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and park assist. For audiophiles, Chrysler offers a 760-watt sound system with 20 speakers. </p><p>Have something to tow? the Trailer Tow Group includes trailer-sway control, a heavy-duty radiator, and a two-inch hitch with a 3,600-pound rating.</p><p><strong>Occupant safety</strong></p><p>Every Pacifica ships with dual front, knee, and side airbags, as well as side curtain airbags that protect occupants sitting in all three rows. Traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, Ready Alert Braking (which helps apply the brakes much quicker in an emergency), and a rear-view camera also come standard. </p><p><strong>Key competitors</strong></p><p>Looking for a full-size minivan (if you'll pardon the oxymoron)? Alternatives to the Pacifica include the <a href="http://www.leftlanenews.com/new-car-buying/honda/odyssey/">Honda Odyssey</a> and the <a href="http://www.leftlanenews.com/new-car-buying/toyota/sienna/">Toyota Sienna</a>.</p>