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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  2004 Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By tmb55 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, it handles well, gas mileage is very good, althoug it has a large fuel tank, which is making fill up time hard on the pocket book. But this car is great in every way.

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  So far so good! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Balanced - October 1 - 2:00 am

  The drive is smooth and quiet, seats comfortable and plenty of leg and head room. It feels solid on the road. It has interior space close like a minivan but feels and handles like a luxury sport sedan. Features give all necessities along with options plus. Im very satisfied with the driving pleasure and would recommend as a all around luxury family vehicle.

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  Love my Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sue B. - October 1 - 2:00 am

  We were leery of buying another Chrysler - havent always had great luck with them. Also, having driven a van for the past 18 years we were looking for a change but needed van" features. What a surprise with our new Pacifica. It drives wonderfully, is roomy, unbelievably well appointed, quiet, and looks great. We drive a lot of carpools, and all of the kids in the car find the seats very comfortable. I would highly recommend the Pacifica as an alternative to both a van and an SUV (we owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee too). It has the utility of an SUV with the ride of a luxury car and the seating of a van.

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  a bit tight on space - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By tissy king - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I also have the clicking noise ( big time) when making sharp turns...very loud and distracting..also gas mileage for 11,000 has not been over 16 mpg. A dissapointment ..had to add bumper plate myself..love the tailgate opening from the remote...

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  My New Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By moondog04 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Plenty of room, almost as much as my Suburban,(with the 3rd seat down. Quiet, comfortable, and good looking. A nice crossover between a minivan(ugh) and a utility vehicle, with better mileage.

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  Good choice overall - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By DA10DRVR - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Very nice overall, quality shows since Daimler involved. Gas milage needs work, and has a couple of blind spots from drivers seat, but overall very good, I would purchase another one.

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  2005 PACIFICA IS NOT READY - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By M0N1QUE - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I love the luxury look of the car. Very functional, but Crysler is still experimenting with the customers money. They should not continue to sell this car until all of the problems have been solved.

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  Do Your Homework - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Eric Jorgensen - September 11 - 1:36 pm

  Read reviews like Edmunds and Consumer Reports; test drive several times; negoiatethe price et

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  Transmission almost killed my family twice...!!! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Thomas Aiken - September 8 - 4:51 am

  We were on a trip to Tennessee from SC and we were on a mountain road in a pull off. I put it in reverse and it went wild. All the lights came on, transmission locked up, parking brake lit up and transmission did not work. 15 minutes of turning the car on and off finally reset it. Drove home with no problems. Couple weeks later my wife called me crying hysterically that she and our three young daughters were almost killed because she was driving on a busy road and the transmission locked up. We limped the car into the dealership and 2.5 weeks later (4,600 miles) we were given the van back and told it was fixed and safe. Last week I was driving my wife on a busy 55 mph road with my son and his wife behind us. The transmission locked up and we went from 55 to 20 in 2 seconds and all the lights came on and locked up and I limped it into a pull off. If it was an 18 wheeler behind us, we would have died right there. We have now told Chrysler that there is nothing they could do to make me feel safe to put my family into ANY Pacifica. They are now fighting us to give us our money back.

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  Large SUV alternative - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By e janke - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Practical suv that has room for oversize people,and has room to haul things without been the size of a full size SUV. The next best motor vehical compared to a mnivan.