Is your family’s safety paramount when you drive them around? Then the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica should be part of your shopping list if you are in the market for a new minivan. When we go about our daily tasks when driving, we do not give too much thought when it comes to getting from point A to point B in our daily commute. If one were to drive safely and carefully enough, then it would not bother you too much when it comes to your safety. However, it is always nice to know that your vehicle is well protected and has all of the necessary safety features in place just in case the unwanted happens. Chrysler’s latest minivan, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, now carries the distinction of being the first minivan to earn a 2016 Top Safety Pick+ Award from the IIHS.
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan picked up 'good' ratings in all five crashworthiness tests that it was put through. One of these tests included the challenging small overlap front, although such a designation only applies to Pacifica that were produced after August 2016. This is due to Chrysler having made a few changes which help to prevent the driver's door from opening during a crash.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) mentioned, "Fiat Chrysler strengthened the upper hinge and reinforced the joint between the door hinge pillar and inner body panel in front of the pillar”, while offering a reminder that "the Town & Country was rated poor for small overlap protection, due to severe intrusion into the driver space."
One of the main contributions that allowed the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica to obtain its top rating would be the optional front crash prevention system, which has been classified as 'superior'. This rating classification proved to be the decisive factor in assisting the minivan to avoid collisions in both tests, at 12 mph (19 km/h) and 25 mph (40 km/h), respectively.
Not only that, this particular system also fulfills the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) criteria as it merges automatic emergency braking with forward collision. All of these will work in tandem with radar sensors and cameras. Such technology will respond in the event where a frontal impact appears imminent, and it will consist of both audible and visual driver warnings.
Being re-engineered from the ground up, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica will be available in five trim levels: LX, Touring, Touring-L, Touring-L Plus, and Limited. Pricing for this minivan kicks off from $28,595 onward, making it more affordable compared to the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey.
With a ride height that is lower than the standard issue minivan, one does not have to rise up or bend down in order to enter. The front row itself can sit upright to provide the driver with a perspective which is closer to that of a truck compared to a sedan or typical minivan.
The driver information display is a twin of the Chrysler 300, with a similar transmission dial that sees action in the Chrysler 200. Regardless of the model you choose, you will get a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that has 287 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. With an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, it should be a decent enough performer.
The high-end model will see an upgrade to an 8.4-inch touch screen display and Chrysler's famous Stow ‘n Go seating will be seen in the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. Any takers?
