"hike" (hike15)
04/28/2017 at 20:15 • Filed to: Pacifica, Oppo review
3
15|
"hike" (hike15)
04/28/2017 at 20:15 • Filed to: Pacifica, Oppo review | 3
| 15 |
For about 5 months I had the pleasure of driving a brand new Chrysler Pacifica Limited about 17,000 miles. And by driving, I mean letting the Radar cruise control and the ultra smooth suspension do all the work a large portion of that time. Here are my thoughts on the big blue minivan.
( Disclaimer: I know this is an (off-topic) enthusiast blog, but I feel like sharing my opinion on a car I drove for a while. Hope you enjoy!)
Exterior
I personally find the Pacifica to be a very attractive minivan. Not attractive for a minivan, just attractive in general. The limited has some nice details, with plenty of chrome, 20 inch wheels, and the aggressive LED running lamps. The van also has a partially blacked out d-pillar, giving the rear glass a wrap-around look and shrinking the size of the rear of the vehicle. The flared fenders also make the front seem wider and lower, giving it a somewhat aggressive stance. Chrysler lead designer Ralph Gilles actually has a Pacifica with a aggressive wheels and it truly looks fantastic.
Ralph Gilles’ Pacifica
Interior
This is one of the best interiors of any car short of a luxury brand. Beautiful brown leather (I know, there’s mixed opinions out there), big bright infotainment screen, and 3 roomy rows of seating. Of course, being an FCA minivan, it had stow-n-go, which is a life saver for someone who is used to having a sedan to throw stuff into and forget about. This model also had the optional rear entertainment system, but more on that shortly. The one thing I truly hate about this interior is that dang plastic ring on the steering wheel. I just feels awkward and uncomfortable, espcially when the heated wheel is on and the ring is cold. Normal stitching would have been better.
Driving Dynamics
It’s a minivan, what do you expect? I have read, however, that this van has the same skidpad G forces as the original M3. It handles quite well, even while not being exciting. The ride is fantastic and makes this vehicle one of the best road trip cars around. The engine can be a little coarse, but makes a decent noise at higher RPM and has more than enough power. I have no complaints about the 9-speed, which I think is the best compliment you can give a transmission. I had a lifetime average of 24.73 MPG, with a best tank of 28 MPG.
Tech
The technology in this car is probably the best part. Power folding 3rd row, power stow-n-go front seats, making using the stow-n-go easier than ever, radar cruise control, rear entertainment system, 3 pane panoramic sunroof, 8.4 capacitive touch screen with nav, 360 camera system, uConnect access (able to remote start and unlock from smartphone), HID headlamps, auto high beams, a USB charging port for every passenger, and so much more. Oh, and I can’t forget the vacuum, which works as advertised. The highlight of all the tech has to be the radar cruise control. I do a lot of driving, so having the radar cruise control was a life saver. It worked best on the open highway, where it could adjust speed to the vehicle in front. It also worked great in stop and go traffic, only requiring a button press if the car sat more than 3 seconds. I couldn’t recommend this option enough for anybody who drives a lot.
Verdict
I like minivans. I prefer an exciting car, but I appreciate the minivan. Power sliding doors are a magical innovation, as is all the other tech packed into this car. For anyone looking to move a family around or for someone who regularly hauls 4-7 passengers, I don’t know why anybody would consider anything other than this minivan. I happen to love the Durango as well, but for sheer practicality, this van can’t be beat.
knewman
> hike
04/28/2017 at 20:55 |
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I enjoy seeing stuff like this on Oppo. Certainly seen other posts that are further off-topic than this.
How is road noise with the Stow-n-go? The last Grand Caravan we bought was back in 2008 when stow-n-go was relatively new. I remember a big difference in road noise because of the cavity underneath.
vondon302
> hike
04/28/2017 at 20:58 |
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But FCA sucks?
Signed the FP
Seriously nice write up!
Under_Score
> hike
04/28/2017 at 21:03 |
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Do you work for Fiat-Chrysler, as you’ve gotten a new Chrysler product every few months or so.
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hike
> Under_Score
04/28/2017 at 21:24 |
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Someone here pays attention ;-)
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hike
> vondon302
04/28/2017 at 21:24 |
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Thanks!
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hike
> knewman
04/28/2017 at 21:26 |
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This car has active noise canceling standard so it’s pretty quiet. Nothing out of the ordinary. I imagine the hybrid being insanely quiet though, with the battery assist and extra insulation from the road noise that the batteries in the floor add.
Censored
> Under_Score
04/28/2017 at 21:26 |
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Sorry, responded to the wrong comment. I’ll blame kinja, but it was definitely my fault.
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Censored
> knewman
04/28/2017 at 21:27 |
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I drove a rental spec one with SnG and it was literally silent up to about 85. Probably the most comfortable vehicle I’ve driven or ridden in.
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Under_Score
> hike
04/28/2017 at 21:37 |
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I have a friend whose dad works for Kia. His dad gets a new car every year, and my friend has a 2016 Elantra. No dealer badges either, showing it’s a company car.
Chariotoflove
> hike
04/28/2017 at 21:38 |
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Good review. Thanks.
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hike
> Under_Score
04/28/2017 at 21:51 |
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The lack of dealer badging doesn’t mean much since most dealers put the badge on when the deliver the car. I’m just picky enough to tell them to leave the badge off. I can’t stand any free marketing on my car.
7:07
> hike
04/28/2017 at 22:18 |
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Great review. Yours is optioned pretty much exactly how I would, given the funds. I’ve had my Pacifica Touring-L about 8 months now and I still love it. Drove all the competitors and nobody could touch the look and refinement of the Pacifica.
We are leasing ours (the first time buying something new/not 15 years old), have about 5000 miles on it in those 8 months. I really wish the safety tech package was available in my trim, as I really wanted the surround view camera.
Stow and go seats are the best. Makes putting my wife’s harp back there a piece of cake.
Can’t wait to see what version 2 of the Pacifica is like. I’d love an all LED lighting package and maybe a turbo Pentastar.
merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
> hike
04/28/2017 at 23:49 |
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We picked one up before we had the third son, so last summer. Went with the L-plus, or something like that, just a step down from the limited. Didn’t want the sunroof and wanted 8-passenger. We test drove one with the safety tech and high end stereo, and I wasn’t all that impressed with the safety tech stuff. I liked the cameras, but I found the cruise to be frustrating. Instead of keeping a constant speed, it wouldn’t just pace the jackass in front of me that would speed up and slow down, so I wouldn’t think to pass them and all of a sudden you realize you’re doing 10 under because the yutz up ahead is doing the same. I’ll pass. The stereo was noticably nicer. But the base stereo is still decent. I wouldn’t have minded keeping the better stereo, but for $2k I can do without. The van has plenty of power, but we have the 18" Michelins and it’s pretty easy to squeal the fronts even on dry pavement. I was planning to do new wheels and summer rubber this year, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I like the soft ride of the 18"s. Just need a bit more width for more grip. I would love an AWD option. And how about the brakes, holy smokes, Better than our Q7 and as good as my S4. Pretty impressive for a minivan. We’ve had our second loaded up with 8 people pretty regularly and it drives great.
NojustNo
> hike
04/29/2017 at 00:09 |
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“This is one of the best interiors of any car short of a luxury brand.”
EDIT: Sorry could not upload or embed image. Kinja’d!
Whoms't
> hike
04/29/2017 at 10:21 |
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Minivans are pretty much the best vehicles to be a passenger in