The Pacifica comes with either front drive or all-wheel drive, with equipment specific to each version. My all-wheel-drive test model faced few challenges beyond the sand on the roadside as we pulled away from the International House of Pancakes. But the brakes, which have a standard antilock feature, got a workout in the unpredictable stop-and-go traffic through the Keys, and they performed competently.
Quality has long been a concern with Chrysler's cars and trucks, but the company has clearly made big improvements since the takeover by Daimler-Benz. The test car seemed fine, aside from the plastic trim that I disliked, and management has worked hard to improve the quality at the Pacifica assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, where minivans are also made.
The Pacifica starts at US$31,239 with front-wheel drive; a loaded version hits US$42,000. Chrysler plans an entry-level Pacifica later this year that will have a base price below US$30,000.
RSS