The Chrysler Pacifica debuted in 2004 as a 'sport
tourer'. As more versions of this vehicle style came on the market, they
received their own classification: a crossover. Crossovers are supposed to
combine the best attributes of sport-utility vehicles, sedans and minivans. In
2007, the Pacifica still does this as well as any, at very reasonable prices.
Essentially, the Pacifica 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, along with 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.
Power for Pacifica
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 for 2007
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; it 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.
Inside the Pacifica
Interior styling remains unchanged for 2007. Pacifica has four sedan-like doors and the wide rear liftgate you
would expect on a
sport-utility vehicle or minivan. Inside, it is 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. Wood, brushed aluminum and quality soft-touch materials
create generally attractive accommodations. There is a pair of cup holders
conveniently located immediately aft of the gear selector.
All four doors feature molded-in bins and cup holders at the bottom. There is
plenty of headroom, despite the high seat bottoms, and the window sills rise
almost to shoulder height.
Chrysler Pacifica Design
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.
Driving the Pacifica
Because of its improved powertrain, the 2007 Pacifica is more responsive than previous
models. The transmission shifts smoothly and
quickly, making sudden merges or left-turns across traffic easy. The Pacifica cruises quietly
at high speeds. 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 now
comes with Brake Assist. Overall, the 2007 Pacifica drives more like a sedan, and
is far 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. It is available with two or three
rows of seating. The Pacifica has earned outstanding scores in government
crash tests. It is 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 is 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.