2005 Chrysler Pacifica Review

Specifications

Ford Freestyle Poses a Serious Threat to Pacifica Sales

Im a big fan of the Pacifica, which will hardly be news to those who read my diatribes often. I like its styling, interior quality, packaging and handling characteristics the most, and have been fairly vocal about how it could be improved. The engine is powerful enough, but it needs more than four forward gears for the heavy machine to make the most of it.

Its also hardly news that Chrysler Group fumbled the cars launch. Slick TV ads featuring Grammy winning jazz vocalist Diana Krall in Canada and Canadian-born and raised Celine Dion in the U.S., did little to pull value conscious buyers into Chryslers dealerships. Those that showed up were met by an extremely well designed crossover SUV, so fully featured that it was priced beyond the reach of the brands traditional clientele.

Chrysler responded quickly by offering a de-contented version featuring front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive and cloth upholstery instead of leather. The price came down and sales went up, even of the top-line model. Currently its one of the more popular luxury crossovers available.

Now, with Ford preparing its new Freestyle crossover for a full-scale assault on North America, Chrysler will introduce a new value-added 5-occupant version of the Pacifica, at a reduced MSRP of $24,995. The Pacifica is also available with all-wheel drive for $27,975, where it receives the 250-hp 3.5-liter engine as standard equipment. The previous base model has been renamed the Touring, and starts at $28,250. Add all-wheel drive to the Touring and it will set you back $31,050, while the top-tier Pacifica Limited is available for $36,995.

“The addition of the new Touring model to the family really gives Pacifica customers a wide range of dynamite products well beyond the SUV,” commented Jeff Bell, Vice President-Chrysler and Jeep. “With an entry level model priced below $25,000, the six-passenger Touring model and the premium Pacifica Limited, Chrysler offers new levels of refinement, safety and comfort at a great value.”

The new 5-seat Pacifica comes with front-wheel drive powered by the same 3.8-liter V6 that comes as standard equipment in the Chrysler Town & Country minivan, where it makes 215 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque. The engines high torque should be well suited to the Pacifica, due to its hefty curb weight and 4-speed automatic transmission.

The Pacifica also receives next-generation multi-stage driver and front-passenger airbags, drivers side inflatable knee blocker, occupant classification system, 4-wheel independent suspension equipped with premium 5-link rear suspension, 4-wheel ABS brakes, a Sentry Key theft deterrent system, and remote keyless illuminated entry. When the new second row folds flat, 92.2 cubic feet of cargo space is made available.

The new Touring model keeps the 2004 Pacificas 250 horsepower 3.5-liter SOHC 24-valve V6 engine and front-wheel drive configuration as standard, while offering 17-inch aluminum wheels and 3-row 6-passenger seating. Folding down second and third rows provides 79.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

The same goes for the all-wheel drive Touring model, next in the Pacifica lineup. Now priced at $31,050. The Pacifica Touring gets new optional equipment, including rear park assist (late availability) and 19-inch chrome alloy wheels.

The top-of-the-line Limited gets the top powertrain, of course, which includes standard all-wheel drive for $36,995. Its monochromatic exterior should add an upscale touch, while standard 19-inch chrome rims will be unique to top-line models. Again, the crossover is configured into a 3-row 6-passenger layout, with exclusive first- and second-row luxury leather heated seats, leather steering wheel and shift knob and genuine wood trim accents. Also, standard equipment includes a power glass sunroof, three-row side curtain airbag, next generation multi-stage driver and front passenger airbags, driver-side inflatable knee blocker, occupant classification system, rear park assist, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, a tire pressure monitoring system, power adjustable pedals, power liftgate, 4-wheel independent suspension equipped with premium 5-link rear suspension, 6-disc CD/DVD changer, and AM/FM/Cassette/CD radio.

Standard on all Pacificas is an extremely high safety rating. The government gave Pacifica its highest crash test rating of five stars for both front- and side-impact when equipped with optional side-curtain airbags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also named Pacifica a “Best Pick” for its frontal offset test.

As with every DaimlerChrysler vehicle, all Pacificas receive the brands 7/70 powertrain warranty.

While General Motors has yet to offer anything that could cause Chrysler any concern about the continued popularity of its Pacifica, other than its ill-fated Pontiac Aztek and somewhat less maligned Buick Rendezvous, Fords Freestyle poses a true threat. It is larger inside, with a third row that truly fits adults, offers seating for up to seven occupants, features a flexible seating arrangement more amenable to cargo and is priced thousands less than even the new 5-seat Pacifica.

Whats more, the Freestyle features a continuously variable transmission (CVT) which allows for greater acceleration and much better expected fuel economy. Chrysler needs to replace its aging 4-speed automatic with something that can optimize its more powerful 3.8- and 3.5-liter engines, to take back its performance advantage.

The Pacifica, on the other hand, offers a more luxuriously appointed and better crafted interior, plus a more substantial feel when closing the doors and when on the road. The addition of the new 5-seat configuration will bring Chryslers crossover within closer reach of those looking for a value priced people hauler, and should work in the domestic automakers favor to increase sales.

Really, all the Pacifica needs is one or two more cogs in its automatic transmission and Id be thoroughly happy with it. The third row roominess issue doesnt matter that much to me, or to most people I know who are in the market for one. Children are mostly relegated to any vehicles hind quarters as it is, and being that most children are small achieving adult tolerance levels is not necessary.

I still think Chrysler is missing the boat on one item, though, and thats the option of 7-person occupancy. It would take nothing, now that the second row bench is offered as base equipment, to toss a third row back into the mix and service clients needing the extra capacity. It might only be 10 percent of the market, but why send those folks packing to Ford or GM? Additionally, it would stifle rival crossover advertising that boasts 7-passenger capability. If Chrysler added the third row of seats to its upgraded Pacifica it would cover all bases, even more than the competition, which just makes sense to me considering all the components are already in place for the taking. And last but not least, Chrysler should just go ahead and do it to shut me up. Ive been harping on this issue for more than a year now, and Im not going away.

Seven occupancy or not, the new Pacifica is a step up the food chain from a Freestyle in interior appointments and quality, well above a Buick Rendezvous in every way except possibly expected reliability, and even on par item for item with such lauded crossovers as the Acura MDX and Nissan Murano. Like I said, Im a big fan.