The Chrysler Pacifica debuted in 2004 as a ‘sport tourer.’ As more
versions of this vehicle style came on the market, they got
their own classification – crossover. Crossovers are supposed to
combine the best attributes of sport-utility vehicles, sedans
and minivans, and the Pacifica still does that as well as any,
at very reasonable prices. The Pacifica essentially has
wagon-like architecture, but it also has available all-wheel
drive and seating for up to six. The Chrysler Pacifica got a
substantial revision for 2007, including a discreet exterior
update, previously optional safety equipment, including
side-curtain head protection airbags and electronic stability
control, is now standard on all models, and a larger, smoother,
more powerful V-6 and a new six-speed automatic transmission.
The Pacifica comes in base, Touring and Limited trim levels. All
three are available with front- or all-wheel drive.
Powertrain
The base Pacifica gets a 3.8-liter V-6 with a four-speed
automatic transmission; it generates 205 horsepower and 235
pounds-feet of torque. All other models have a 4.0-liter V-6
with 255 hp and 265 pounds-feet of torque that drives a
six-speed automatic transmission. All Pacificas incorporate
Chrysler's AutoStick, which allows drivers to manually select
their own gears. Towing capacity is 3500 pounds, which is more
than enough for personal water craft, dirt bikes or a camping
trailer.
Trims
The 2007 Chrysler Pacifica is available in three trim levels,
all of which offer front-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel
drive. The base model seats five, with a three-place, folding
second-row bench seat, and comes with 17-inch steel wheels and
hubcaps. Standard features include sunscreen glass, dual-zone
temperature control, rear window wiper/washer, power locks and
windows, eight-way power driver's seat, AM/FM audio with CD,
Infinity speakers and steering-wheel controls, multiple 12-volt
power outlets and cruise control.
Touring FWD and Touring AWD come with seating for six, in a
2/2/2 bucket-seat layout, and add more features. Standard
equipment includes automatic dual-zone temperature control with
cabin air filtration, a Vehicle Information Center video
display, leather-wrapped steering wheel, HomeLink universal door
opener, a power front passenger seat, 17-inch alloy wheels and
body color door handles.
The Pacifica Limited FWD and Limited AWD are luxury class
models. They feature the 2/2/2 seating and nearly all the
amenities, including leather seats with position memory for the
driver, heated front and second-row seats, power adjustable
pedals, power-liftgate, six-CD changer, automatic headlights,
power moonroof, auto-dimming mirrors, ParkSense rear back-up
system and 19-inch chromed wheels.
Safety
Safety equipment on the Chrysler Pacifica was significantly
upgraded for 2007. In addition to multi-stage front airbags, all
Pacificas come standard with curtain-style head protection
airbags for all outboard seats, Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) skid-management system, emergency brake assist for the
antilock brakes (ABS), and traction control. A ParkView rear
back-up camera is now optional. The Pacifica has earned a
five-star rating for front and side impact from the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and four stars
for rollover protection.
Interior
Interior styling remains unchanged for 2007. Pacifica has four
sedan-like doors and the wide rear liftgate you'd expect on a
sport-utility vehicle or minivan. Inside it's roomy and
comfortable. Getting in and out is easy. The base model offers
seating for five; other Pacificas increase capacity to six. The
third-row bench folds in a 50/50 split. Maximum cargo space with
all seats stowed is 92.7 cubic feet in five-passenger Pacificas
and 79.5 cubic feet in six-passenger models. All models change
from passenger mover to cargo hauler in a matter of seconds, and
in both cases maximum cargo capacity exceeds that in the typical
mid-size SUV. Power windows are one-touch down/up in front, and
power front seats have Mercedes-style door controls. A standard
seven-speaker CD stereo includes steering wheel audio controls.
Seats have a substantial feel, and chunky side bolsters lend
more support than those in some competing models. Dashboard
controls are difficult to decipher and with the rear seats up,
there's a considerable blind spot. Wood, brushed aluminum and
quality soft-touch materials create generally attractive
accommodations. There's a pair of cup holders conveniently
located immediately aft of the gear selector, and they work
well. All four doors feature molded-in bins and cup holders at
the bottom. There's plenty of headroom, despite the high seat
bottoms, and the window sills rise almost to shoulder height.
Exterior
As a crossover, the Pacifica is minivan-like as far as ease of
use and drivability, yet on the exterior it has a more rugged,
appealing appearance than most minivans, and lines up more on
the sport-utility vehicle side. The Pacifica looks distinctive
and unmistakably like a Chrysler, with a grille and other design
cues unique to the brand. That family resemblance has been
strengthened with styling tweaks for 2007: in front, the
Pacifica looks a bit squarer, flatter, than before. It sports a
full-width chrome strip and a new, more prominent three-bar
grille, flanked by wing-like, twin-beam headlights in the theme
of the Chrysler 300 sedan. At 198.5 inches long, the Pacifica
measures about even with the CX-9 and Freestyle, two of its
competitors. Base Pacificas sport 17-inch steel wheels, gray
cladding and black door handles. Touring models upgrade to alloy
wheels and body-colored door handles. The Pacifica Limited holds
body-colored cladding, fog lamps and 19-inch chrome rims; the
latter two items are optional on the Touring. A power sunroof,
rearview camera and power liftgate are also available.
Handling
The 2007 Pacifica is more responsive than previous models
because of its improved powertrain. The transmission shifts
smoothly and quickly, making quick merges or left-turns across
traffic easy. At high speeds the Pacifica cruises quietly. Under
normal conditions of AWD, the system sends all of the power to
the front wheels. But it can transfer up to 90 percent of the
power to the rear wheels whenever the front wheels lose grip.
The four-wheel disc brakes are large enough to handle the
Pacifica's weight, delivering sure, fairly short stops. ABS is
standard on all models, and it's now comes with Brake Assist.
Overall the 2007 Pacifica drives more like a sedan, and is
certainly more enjoyable to drive than truck-based SUVs. The
3.8-liter V-6 in the base Pacifica is adequate for most
situations. The cabin remains quiet even on the highway.
The 2007 Chrysler Pacifica line offers a range of models, from
well-equipped to luxury-class and it's available with two or
three rows of seating. The Pacifica has earned outstanding
scores in government crash tests. It's stylish and handsome, and
it doesn't fit easily in any particular mold. It has a roomy
cabin and cargo space, and is pleasant to drive. While Pacifica
doesn't look so big from the outside, it's as much as 18 inches
longer and 6 inches wider than some of its crossover
competitors; overall, a terrific family vehicle at an affordable
price. The Chrysler Pacifica is an excellent all-purpose
vehicle. It accelerates quickly and corners reasonably well,
which makes it pleasant to drive. The Pacifica Limited is
luxurious, equipped with nearly all the bells and whistles. The
base model is practical, and with essential safety equipment,
family features and all-wheel drive. The 2007 Pacifica gets an
estimated fuel economy range of 24 mpg Hwy, and 16 mpg City.
