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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I love the Chrysler Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By eveluvsdolphins - October 1 - 2:00 amI love our Pacifica, it is safe in the winter(AWD), and gas mileage is better than an SUV. I absolutely love the fact that I dont have to crawl "down" into it, or jump up. It is soooo much more spacious in the back seat than our Jeep was, adults sit very comfortably in the back. Cargo space is excellent if you do not have to use the third row. I can take my kids friends with us. It is such a wonderful car, I cant imagine ever owning anything else again!!!
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Great Crossover Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By silverfoxnv - October 1 - 2:00 amI have enjoyed all of the features of this new mult-purpose vehicle. It is not a total SUV, station wagon or sedan - it is all three rolled into one. It has great saftey features, especially the side curtain air bags for all passengers. The reliability has been excellent, just like my 300M which I traded for the Pacifica.
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Pacifica news - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By Susan P - October 1 - 2:00 amI love driving the Pacifica. I can load 4 grandchildren and one of their mothers in it and feel reasonably safe. It took the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee with on problem.
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excellent - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By lentini - October 1 - 2:00 amexcellent
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the best on the road - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By AMYbiang - October 1 - 2:00 amAnyone looking for an SUV stop! This is better, it is a touch smaller than those large SUVs that are hard to park, yet big enough for a family of 6. My husband hates minivans so this is the perfect option. It turns heads and is so fun to drive. The interior looks expensive but isnt. Hands down it is a better deal than anything else out there.
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I loved it but then.... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By Alyssa13 - October 1 - 2:00 amAlthough I love the look and ride of this car, I have had a few annoying problems with it since 11/03. Electric grid for my power windows blew after only 3 weeks. Then about 4 weeks ago (early March 2004), my power seats stopped working. Luckily they were in the position that I drive in when they stopped working. The part took 10 days to come in during which time my husband was unable to drive it due to the seat position. In the meantime I received a notice of some powertrain recall. I feel as though I have received a lemon.
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Bad Engineering and design - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By Frank Wilson - October 1 - 2:00 amNo room for storage. Hard to see behind and sides. GPS is POORLY positioned. No room for luggage and passengers. Keyless entry is poorly designed. Goes off at the touch of a quarter in my pocket. No place to store earphones for DVD. CD player is extremely noisy when changing CDs. Car is wind noisy. Very disappointed in general but then Im a senior citizen and this car wasnt designed for our generation.
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My Pacifica is as fun as my 1956 T-Bird - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By Marc Schulman - October 1 - 2:00 amOne of the most beautiful and fun-to- drive vehicles of all time is the 1956 T-Bird. I sold mine in 1987, and I have never enjoyed a car since then, until I purchased a 2004 Pacifica. I thought I would never again experience the fun I used to when I drove around the California coast in my T-Bird, but that fun is back! After reaching the age of 40, I didnt believe much of my daily routine would be fun again, but it is. My wife now prefers driving my Pacifica over her 2003 Town and Country. Daimler Chrysler hit a home run with this one. I recommend taking a test drive in the Pacifica - but plan to buy if you do!
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Excellent car for families - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By Love4kids - October 1 - 2:00 amThis is a fun car to drive, My kids enjoy the entertainment system, while I enjoy my music, It drives GREAT, handles GREAT, It does not have aloy of cargo space, but the seats do go down for that, I must say, I do LOVE my car!! It has so many more luxuries than most "family" cars.The 250 horsepower engine is great, I am not afraid to pass people n a 2 lane hwy anymore.
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Best Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By Kathy Ann Casteel - October 1 - 2:00 amI have driven a Jeep for many years. When I decided to try the Pacifica, I never dreamed I would enjoy it so much. I have had absoultely no problems with it at all. All my passenger friends also love it. The comfort, quality, interior design and all the room inside make it a very pleasurable vechicle to drive. While I still love Jeep, I stand by my Pacifica. No regrets here, I LOVE IT!!
