Overview & Reviews

The Chrysler Pacifica was one of the original large crossover wagons. In order to combine the driving attributes of a car with the utility offered by minivans and sport-utility vehicles, the Pacifica crossover had four front-hinged doors, an elevated seating position, five- or six-passenger seating and a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Compared to other crossover wagons, the Chrysler Pacifica was relatively upscale and offered a wide array of creature comforts wrapped in elegantly chiseled sheet metal. Unfortunately, the Pacifica didn't possess particularly great interior packaging. While the first two rows were spacious for occupants, the third row was acceptable only for children and left very little space for cargo behind it when deployed. The rearmost seat does, however, fold flat into the floor in convenient 50/50 sections.

The Pacifica's Mercedes Benz-derived suspension garnered wide praise for its carlike ride and handling. But early Pacificas suffered from reliability woes and mediocre engines in a price bracket where potent and refined powertrains were the norm. Not helping matters were the large wagon's hefty weight and relatively unsophisticated four-speed automatic transmission, both of which took their toll on fuel economy. A significant update for 2007, however, brought about a new V6 engine, a new six-speed automatic for most models and updated styling.

Most Recent Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica debuted for the 2004 model year, at which point it was offered only in base and Limited trim levels. The original base model was relatively well-equipped, but it was offered with fewer features and a lower price when the Touring trim level slotted in above it in 2005. At first, Pacificas were powered by a 3.8-liter V6 with 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. Reviewers faulted the gruff engine, which was barely up to the task of battling the Pacifica's formidable mass, especially on fully loaded all-wheel-drive models. Given that early 2004 Pacificas also had some well-known repair issues, we'd play it safe and restrict our search to 2005 and newer models.

A 3.5-liter V6 with 250 hp and 250 lb-ft became standard on all but the base front-wheel-drive model in 2005, and the 3.8-liter V6 was eliminated for 2006, leaving the 3.5-liter unit as the sole available engine. For 2007, the 3.8-liter mill returned in the base front-wheel-drive model, this time rated at 200 hp, and a 4.0-liter V6 replaced the 3.5-liter V6 in all other models. The 4.0-liter engine cranked out a respectable 255 hp and 265 lb-ft, and it was teamed with a new six-speed automatic transmission (the base engine continued with the old four-speed unit). All Pacificas were rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Base 2004 Pacificas featured two-row, five-passenger seating and were fairly comfortable, thanks to niceties such as dual-zone climate control, a power driver seat and a load-leveling suspension. Starting in 2005, Touring models received additional standard features, a much longer options list and six-passenger seating via the addition of a two-passenger third-row seat and the replacement of the regular second-row bench with two bucket seats and a center console. The 2005 base model, meanwhile, lost some standard accoutrements and was priced lower going forward. The best-dressed and most luxurious Chrysler Pacifica was the Limited, which featured cleaner styling, bigger wheels and a long list of luxury features, including an upmarket audio system and a power liftgate.

In Chrysler Pacifica reviews, our editors found the crossover wagon's strengths to be its exceptional comfort for four, sedanlike driving characteristics, top-notch safety scores and upscale interior. The 3.8-liter engine is to be avoided, but the 3.5-liter and 4.0-liter V6s are decent performers. Downsides include a lack of legroom in the third row and a lack of overall utility when compared to the top available minivans.

User Reviews:

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  2005 chrysler pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By freddie22m - November 8 - 2:06 pm

  i have a 2005 chrysler pacifica i have had nothing but problems with it well the brakes to start with i have had them changed so many times. now the motor mounts and they said its normal for the car well i have a kia which has more miles on it and it has never had anything wrong with it. my pacifica only has 85,000 miles on it the dealer said it was going to be around 1,000 dollars to fix it which is crazy i would never get another chrysler again i should have listen when people told me that the car was a crapsler.....

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  The Pacifica was under-rated! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mfj949e - October 24 - 8:07 am

  I owned a 2007 Pacifica Touring FWD for 4 years and generally loved the car. It had adequate power, had an extremely comfortable ride and a huge cargo area when the 2nd row seats were lowered. The handling was excellent and the fuel mileage was adequate for the 6 cylinder engine.

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  Would never buy again! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By livingrn - October 14 - 6:08 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used just a couple months ago. Got to admit its pretty to look at but if you need something comfy to ride in this is not it!!! Unfortunately, I didnt drive it long enough for the test drive otherwise I would have noticed it quicker and moved on. The shifting is not smooth, for being a touring model it sure doesnt feel like it. Gas mileage is horrible, 15mpg in town and less than 20 on the highway. I got rid of it!!!!

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  MONEY PIT - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By deemilli - October 3 - 9:23 pm

  I purchased a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. Ive had nothing but problems. Ive replaced the tire rods, brakes 2 twice, just last week spent $800 dollars on motor mounts, last year replaced the transmission $1500. Guess what, transmission is still acting up, took it back to the dealer and they said they could not find anything wrong with the car. They cleared the codes and the car ran fine until this past weekend. Check light engine is back on and you guessed it?? Transmission Torque convertor and front pump failure. Thank goodness for warrenties!!! otherwise it would be another $1500 if not more. Beware do not purchase this car, it is a MONEY PIT.

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  dont buy it - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lalacovey - September 12 - 12:56 am

  i saw it drove it fell in love, bought it used, barely drove it and stuff started breaking, left my family stranded, front axle broke n wheels did a spllit... cost over 500 just for part used from junkyard, bushings gone, suspensions gone, heat n ac broke, bottoms out everywhere... replacement 17" tires 125 each, 14.8 miles/gallon, broken eexhaust at flex pipe burns oil.... had 2 years bad break downs... gas gauge suddenly went from 1/2 tank to empty, light came on, couldnt get all the way off the interstate so had too abndon car n walk my 2 year old 11 and 15 yr olds... picked up along way, called n got gas n left, no warning at all..... not worth hassles.... parts even used too much...

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  My first pacifica was free, the one they gave me the next day was not - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By oileater - August 30 - 1:35 am

  Bought a 38k model in 2005. On the 45 min. drive home (I-75 N) the accelorator began to surge & fail. About half way home it became clear that I would have to "CRAWL" the rest of the way in order to avoid an accident. Made it home called carmax. They asked if I could drive it back the next day. I told them I was coming back now (tonight). Got there right before they closed where I was lead to a 7 yr. old "rough" celica loaner. This is surely the ONLY $38,000 7 yr old celica known to ever exist. After a week of the dealer managment insisting that I "honor" the service agreement we had purchased the "DAY BEFORE". The newly promoted Pres. of dealership asked me to pick a equally valued replace

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  Solid, low cost Mommy-Mobile. - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By nettech - August 28 - 6:36 pm

  Weve had our 2006 Pacifica for a year now, and it has been a blessing for us as new parents. The amount of things one needs to carry around for a baby is staggering, and our old Corolla wasnt cutting it. Its comfortable, feels very smooth and solid while driving, and holds quite a bit of stuff, making it perfect for weekend shopping trips. Only real downside so far has been the fuel economy (about 16-18 mpg on average, quite a contrast to a Corolla), but we knew that going in. We purchased it in 2010 from a wholesaler for $10,900, which was a significant discount from its $28,000 sticker price. If it continues to run for the next 4-5 years without any major repairs, well be happy.

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  Good idea, bad implementation. - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jp384 - August 24 - 2:14 am

  Not the most comfortable car to drive. Feels like a boat and Im afraid of hitting everything when Im in the city. Front suspension seems a bit loose so every time we had to stop quick, the front would take a deep dive and when it went over a driveway that was higher then the road it would bottom out at 12 mph, which might be why the bearing plates broke (something our mechanic told us was common in them). Learning transmission never up shifted when it should have and loved to rev up to the red before it would finally shift. Needs plus gas for power and fuel economy. For a car thats supposed to be a town car and SUV I think Chrysler failed to make a car thats good at being either.

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  take a pass - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By adad - July 19 - 2:57 pm

  This car gave me so much anxiety because it always had some kind of a problem. My axel broke, burned oil, funny noises when turning, ABS problems,lights always burning out ( I finally kept driving it and it seemed to repair itself (abs problem)) always smelled like it was burning oil, Chrysler cs was horrible I finally went into the dealership in front of customers and voiced my complaint...they finally addressed my problems. I purchased this car as a family car and hated that I was stuck driving my family in this unreliable heap of junk. traded in after 2yrs took a huge loss not to mention repairs and traded in for a Honda Pilot . It feels good to drive a reliable car again.

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  Finally getting rid of it. - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By robrob1 - June 22 - 7:02 am

  Only the tip of the Iceberg. After 3,000 miles, they tried to fix the dreaded chronic transmission problems . (do a Google search).The sight of seeing the tranny in pieces from my new car made me regret my purchase instantly. They never really fixed the problem, so I was frustrated for 48 months. This car is also a MAJOR GAZ GUZZLER. In cold weather, the dual-exhaust system makes an unbelievable racket. Radio controls (and sound) are worthy of a 70s Corolla, cheap plastic and all. The idea for this car was right, but implementation was an unfinished nightmare. Too bad, it was full of promises. Pros: good ride, seats ok, roomy. Returning it next week, at long, long last. Good riddance.