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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  Room for improvement - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Troy32 - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Traded in Suburban for Pacifica AWD. Nice styling. Nice, smooth ride. Seats not as comfortable as Suburban. 14.7 mpg on last tank (significantly worse than advertised @ 17 mpg city!) Hi-end Surround Sound sys. is great IN COMPARISON AGAINST STANDARD SYS. - BUT, It falls short of other mfrs 5.1 systems (2004 Acura TL system has much better acoustics and clarity!) Navi sys is quite useful, BUT dont like having it in center of speedo. C-Pillar dangerously obstructs view.

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  Best kept secret by Chrysler - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Farout - May 8 - 9:03 pm

  Why in the world has Chrysler kept this Crossover a secret from the public? This is one of the best made vehicles Chrysler has ever built! The AWD is fantastic, and the plush interior is top quality! The power from the 4.L seed automatic is better than you can imagine, and best of all the the great fuel mileage, we get 22 mpg in stop and go and have got as high as 26 mpg.

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  WoooHooooo! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Hockeymom1368 - April 30 - 9:35 pm

  What happens when you have to haul two 6tall teenagers plus two friends and all their assorted hockey bags in a Pacifica?? You get to ride in a quiet, reliable, easy to handle with lots of room car! I love my Pacifica and after hauling those kids around...three more hockey families purchased them. Definitely a fan.

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  best crossover ever - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mark times - April 30 - 8:10 am

  Well when I first went to the car lot I was looking for a Dodge or a Jeep because I thought a car like that wold be very hard to get to so when he told me that hey young men it is possible to get a crossover like that I was so happy he said that he so the light lite upon my face then I still said to myself that there no way in gods holy world that I could get a car with sleek body style and hard cover face and a banging grill with wood all over the place and with also comes with a tv and also comes with a navigation system and so much of room also to top it off it also comes with a sun roof I also like the way that the dashboard is made how goes around

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  The Good the bad and the ugly!!!!!! - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dmrtx - April 28 - 12:08 am

  I really love driving this car, it has lots of room and has the feel of a luxury car. (the good) I have had issues with the passenger airbag light coming. It has been 4 times for this and they say they have reprogrammed the system. The last time it was in the sales manager stated that you shouldnt lay anything on the seat if no one was sitting in it. That makes no sense! (the bad) Have 25K miles, have been having issues when starting to drive the wheels lock up and the only thing that seems to fix it is to back up about 10 ft and then drive forward. Now its making a popping noise when you start to drive forward. The dealer checked the parking brake and found nothing. (the ugly)

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  Goodbye Minivan!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Stacey Severson - April 26 - 8:52 pm

  I absolutely love it. I have only had it a week now but am so happy it works with our 2 kids and I no longer own a minivan which I hated. I never expected all the extras including the GPS, DVD, etc, but I only have one complaint, it makes me nervous when checking the blind spot on the drivers side. I hope that is no longer an issue on the newer models.

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  Love/hate with this car - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By richmondtexas - April 25 - 9:25 pm

  The Pacifica has unique styling, very nice appearance and great interior layout. Has an upscale look & feel. I bought the Signature Series which is loaded up w/ navigation, power liftgate, rear seat DVD, satellite radio, heated seats front & back. Signature Series interior scheme set this one apart from other Pacificas. Pleanty of power and a smooth ride. The bad: in 12 months and 10,000 miles of driving, this vehicle has been through 3 torque converters, both sway bars links, a driveshaft, had a side view mirror come off and had a splash guard (the big sheet of plastic in the wheel well) fall off. Worst of all, trade in value is less than half of new MSRP ($34540). Appraised @ $16k.

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  Luxury Bang for the Buck - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Joseph - April 25 - 8:48 pm

  This is the 3rd Chrys weve owned and the best. We both are in our 50s and the "step" in & out is great.. performance, ride, comfort is purely Luxury. We got the Touring, with the Spring Special. Grandkids Love the 8 in DVD Screen. Love the styling and handling on the highway especially with the 19 in. wheels a Classy "Car". Chrysler needs to rethink doing away with this vehicle after 2009. VERY Underrated. Whats a Chrysler Man do...

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  Terrific Ride!!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Satisfied_Owner - April 25 - 7:09 am

  I love this car. It looks great and handles well in all types of weather. Ive driven on ice and snow, wet roads and black ice. It still handles like a dream. The car is easy to enter and exit, making it perfect for me to take my parents with me and still haul groceries and purchases. The steering wheel controls are so easy to use and keep my hands on the wheel. The front seats adjust to the most comfortable position easily. The back seats fold down to allow me to move bigger objects easily. What can I say - I love my car!!!

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  Transmission - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By trombone - April 24 - 6:24 pm

  If you buy one, be sure to ask or have the Torque converter checked because there have been many replaced (including mine) in this vehicle, which I found out after the fact. The vehicle would start shuttering in the rear going up hills and they found out the TQ was the culprit. A new one fixes it, but can be spendy if no warranty. Otherwise its an awesome vehicle that I love driving!