Chrysler Pacifica

See also: Chrysler Pacifica (1999 concept vehicle)

Chrysler Pacifica

Manufacturer	DaimlerChrysler Chrysler (final model year only)
Production	2003–2007
Model years	2004–2008
Assembly	Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Class	Mid-size crossover SUV
Body style	5-door wagon
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Platform	Chrysler CS platform
Engine	3.5 L EGJ V6 3.8 L EGH V6 4.0 L SOHC V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic with AutoStick 6-speed 62TE automatic with AutoStick
Wheelbase	116.3 in (2,954 mm)
Length	189.5 in (4,813 mm) (2004-06) 198.9 in (5,052 mm) (2007-08)
Width	79.3 in (2,014 mm)
Height	66.5 in (1,689 mm) (2004-06) 68.3 in (1,735 mm) (2007-08)
Related	Chrysler Town & Country Dodge Caravan Chrysler Voyager (Mexico) Dodge Grand Caravan
Designer	Freeman Thomas

The Chrysler Pacifica is a mid-size crossover wagon produced by Chrysler from 2003 to 2007, for the model years 2004 to 2008.

The Pacifica was the first jointly engineered product of the 1998 Chrysler-DaimlerBenz "merger of equals." ^[1] Chrysler developed the vehicle in 30 months at a cost below $1 billion.^[2] The CUV was inspired by the 1999 Chrysler Pacifica and 2000 Chrysler Citadel concept cars. Chrysler marketed the Pacifica as a “sports-tourer,"^[3] building the vehicle at the Windsor Assembly Plant, alongside the long-wheelbase minivans from early 2003 ^[2] through November 2007.

Model year changes

2004

Initially, the vehicle came in just one trim level, dubbed Pacifica.

2005 and 2006

The 2005 Pacifica offered four trim levels: Base, Touring, Limited, and the limited-version Signature Series.^[4]

The interior was also slightly restyled. Faux wood trim came standard in Pacifica Touring and Limited models, while the base-model "Pacifica" (later Pacifica LX), offered interior colored plastic trim. Signature Series models had metal clad interior trim and two-tone leather seats.

2007

2008 Pacifica Limited

The Pacifica's exterior was slightly restyled for 2007, including its headlights, hood, fenders, grille, front fascia and wheels. The brand new 4.0 L SOHC V6 engine was added, to complement the standard 3.8 L EGH V6. With the addition of the new engine and transmission, Dual Exhaust was added. New options included a rearview camera incorporated into the navigation system, stain, odor, and static-resistant seat fabric and new wheel options.

2008 (discontinuation)

Chrysler announced on November 1, 2007 discontinuation of the Pacifica,^[5] producing the last Pacifica that same month. Dodge almost concurrently introduced the Journey, a CUV sharing an identical wheelbase to the out-going short wheelbase Chrysler minivans.

Marketing and reception

The Pacifica was the first jointly engineered product of the 1998 Chrysler-DaimlerBenz "merger of equals." ^[1] Chrysler developed the vehicle in 30 months at a cost below $1 billion.^{[2] [6]} Parent DaimlerChrysler's other entry in the luxury SUV market, the M-Class (badged as the ML) appeared to be a rushed engineering job from the Mercedes-Benz truck division yet it was a great success (the second-generation M-Class would move from a light truck to a crossover platform).^[7]

Despite the Mercedes-like interior and other Mercedes-derived technologies, however, the Pacifica may have been overpriced for its marque, as general public perception did not consider Chrysler a luxury brand like that of BMW, Lexus, Lincoln, and Mercedes-Benz. A three year, multi-million dollar contract was signed with singer Celine Dion in 2003, with advertisements designed to reposition Chrysler as a premium marque. However, the promotional campaign was widely considered a flop and so DaimlerChrysler ended it just one year later.^[8] Indeed DaimlerChrysler was reluctant to heavily promote the fact that the Pacifica (as well as several other jointly-engineered vehicles such as the Crossfire and 300) featured technologies from its Mercedes division due to fear of cannibalization, as Benz vehicles had much higher prices and profits than their Chrysler equivalents.^[6]

The Pacifica was widely praised for its carlike ride and handling. ^[9] However the 2004-06 model years of the Pacifica were fuel thirsty and vastly underpowered considering its hefty weight, with its weak 250hp 3.5-liter V6 and aging four-speed automatic transmission, which gave poor performance considering the price of this vehicle.^[4] This was only rectified in 2007 with a new V6 engine and a new six-speed automatic which was nonetheless too late to salvage sales. Throughout its lifetime there were few engine options, yet despite client requests there was never an available Hemi or SRT version like the 2005 Chrysler 300.^[6] The first Pacifica models were equipped lavishly and were expensive as a result, as they included costly but mostly unnecessary features such as a navigation system, DVD entertainment system, and a load-leveling suspension.^[10] For the 2005 model year Chrysler released a de-contented LX trim that deleted the third row seats and had cloth upholstery.^[6]

The initial production models of the Pacifica gave the nameplate a bad reputation, due to poor mechanical reliability of the transmission and engine, liner and interior flaws, electrical glitches, and low build quality.^[4] Furthermore, Chrysler was slow to react in fixing these problems. ^[6][11]

DaimlerChrysler heavily touted the Pacifica as the next "big thing" in the fledgling crossover market, forecasting sales of 100,000 per year. These estimations proved to be wildly optimistic, as sales never came close to expectations. There was stiff competition from other luxury crossovers like the Lexus RX and BMW X5; the RX was the volume leader and widely considered the benchmark for the class.^[6] Furthermore the company lost money on every Pacifica sold, as it used a modified minivan platform, but it didn’t have any interior commonality with other Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicles.^[11]

Positioned as a large crossover wagon, the Pacifica was designed to combine the convenience of a minivan, the elevated position of an SUV, and the handling of a sedan. Compared to traditional (light-truck based) luxury SUVs such the Lincoln Navigator, the Pacifica had less heavy cargo-hauling and towing capacity but otherwise it was superior in handling, comfort, interior, and amenities. Crossovers with three-row seating tend to be inferior to minivans in passenger room; the Pacifica was no exception as its third-row seats were considered too small compared to that of the Chrysler Town & Country which was less expensive and more fuel-efficient. However other luxury automakers have no minivans in most of their lineups which avoids cannibalization of the sales of their large crossovers, so it didn't help that the Pacifica inevitably drew comparisons to the Town & Country.^[9] Furthermore DaimlerChrysler was unable to convince the public that the Pacifica was a pioneer of new category of vehicle, as consumers preferred more traditional SUV-style crossovers, and they faced the same problem with the release of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class in 2005. Like the Pacifica the R-Class is supposed to share the attributes of the minivan, SUV, and a wagon, and despite the R-Class being more upscale and sophisticated (based on a rear-wheel drive platform) with a better executed launch (while the Pacifica was plagued with production and marketing flaws),^[12] it has sold poorly compared to the GLK and M-Classes.^[13]

Description

Powertrain

^{[original research?]}

The Pacifica offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg). The CUVs were equipped with "Autostick" transaxles, Chrysler's version of a manually controlled automatic transmission. Other features include five-link rear suspension, self-leveling rear shock absorbers, and variable assist rack-and-pinion steering.

At first, Pacifica was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 with 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet (330 N·m) 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. A new 3.5-liter V6 with 250 hp (186 kW) and 250 lb·ft (340 N·m) 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 (an example of Chrysler's poor judgment) in the base front-wheel-drive model, this time rated even lower at 200 hp (149 kW), and a 4.0-liter V6 replaced the 3.5-liter V6 in all other models. The 4.0-liter engine cranked out only 255 hp (190 kW) and 265 lb·ft (359 N·m), but mated with a new six-speed automatic transmission (the base engine continued with the old four-speed unit), gave more impressive 0-60 mph times of 7.4 seconds.^[14] Until the 2007 introduction of the 4.0-liter V6, engines were always a poor choice from Chrysler with underpowered inefficient engines. The Pacifica was the bottom of the chart in its category with regards to fuel economy.^[11]

Safety

In 2006 the Chrysler Pacifica won an award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as the “best pick frontal”. In 2007, the Pacifica won a five star front and side crash test rating. The Pacifica received this award for being equipped with traction control, four wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system, all-row side curtain air bags, Electronic Stability Program, and tire pressure monitoring system.^{[citation needed]}.

NHTSA is currently investigating a propensity toward engine bay fires in the 2007 Chrysler Pacificas equipped with the 4.0-liter V6.^[15]

Features

Third row seating was standard on all but the base Pacifica. Front row seats featured an eight-way power driver seat and four-way power passenger seat on all standard Pacificas. The Limited and Touring included a ten-way power seat for the driver. The Pacifica could be optioned with a seating preference memory system that also controlled mirrors and pedals. Seats were available with stain and odor resistant fabric or leather on all seats and six different fabric designs.

Cargo space was 79.5 cubic feet (2,250 L) with the second and third rows folded. All Pacifica models came with AM/FM radio along with CD player and a seven speaker, 200-watt audio system. Limited models came with a year subscription of Sirius satellite radio, 6-disc DVD player capable of playing MP3, DVD audio, DVD video, DVD-R and DVD-RW discs, and an eight-speaker audio system. Standard models included dual-zone manual temperature control while the Limited and Touring offered automatic temperature control system. Limited and Touring models offered an available navigation system, along with an optional rear-view camera. A hands-free communication system was also available.

Professional and consumer reception

Consumer Reports magazine rates the Chrysler Pacifica as "much worse than average" in terms of reliability.^[16] Consumer Reports also rated the Chrysler Pacifica with an extremely low consumer satisfaction of 48/100, one of the lowest ratings in the magazine's database for the consumer satisfaction survey.^[17]

Total U.S. sales

Calendar Year	Sales
2006[18]	78,243
2007[19]	53,947

Trim levels

All editions were available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive models.

• Pacifica • 2004 •
• Base • 2005-2007 •
• Touring • 2005-2008 • Pacifica with more seating and interior features.
• Limited • 2005-2008 • Pacifica with extra features, including DVD, GPS and sunroof.
• Signature Series • 2005-2006 • 2008

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Long-Term Test: 2004 Chrysler Pacifica". Edmunds.com 06-25-2003. http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=100348/pageNumber=1?synpartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/used/2004/chrysler/pacifica/100218686/roadtestarticle.html&articleId=100348&editorialpage=page003. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Chrysler launched the Pacifica and the Crossfire in the USA". Global Auto Index.com. http://www.globalautoindex.com/news.plt?no=342. 
3. ^ "Chrysler Introduces the Pacifica". Crittendon Automotive Library, John Birchard, June 19, 2003. http://www.carsandracingstuff.com/library/articles/0844.php. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Second-Hand: Chrysler Pacifica". Wheels.ca. 2006-11-25. http://www.wheels.ca/article/2802. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
5. ^ "Day of pain: Downsizing aims to return Chrysler to profitability". The Detroit News. 2007-10-30. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071101/AUTO01/711010385/1148. Retrieved 2010-09-29. 
6. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Lessons from slow sales of the Chrysler Pacifica, August 2003". Allpar.com. http://www.allpar.com/ed/2003/pacifia.html. Retrieved 2009-05-01. 
7. ^ "Preview: 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class". Nationalpost.com. 2011-07-28. http://www.nationalpost.com/cars/Preview+2012+Mercedes+Benz+Class/5173954/story.html. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
8. ^ "Newspaper Archive". Nl.newsbank.com. 2004-03-04. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DTNB&s_site=detnews&f_site=detnews&f_sitename=Detroit+News%2C+The+%28MI%29&p_multi=DTNB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10123730AE072067&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 2009-05-01. 
9. ^ ^{a b} "Chrysler Pacifica". Edmunds.com. 2010-08-11. http://www.edmunds.com/chrysler/pacifica/. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
10. ^ Krebs, Michelle (2005-02-13). "Ford Enters the Crossover Bake-Off - NYTimes.com". Select.nytimes.com. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40610F93F5E0C708DDDAB0894DD404482. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
11. ^ ^{a b c} "Review: Last Call: Chrysler Pacifica". The Truth About Cars. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009/06/the-parting-shot-the-chrysler-pacifica/. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
12. ^ bob english. "Not an SUV, van or wagon: a class all its own". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/auto/article922798.ece. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
13. ^ "First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class". Autos.ca. 2010-07-05. http://www.autos.ca/first-drives/first-drive-2011-mercedes-benz-r-class. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
14. ^ "2007 Chrysler Pacifica Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive". Consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com. 2006-10-24. http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2007-chrysler-pacifica-1.htm. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
15. ^ "Feds Probe Fire Hazard in Chrysler Pacifica". Joe Benton, ConsumerAffairs.Com, February 26, 08. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/02/nhtsa_pacifica.html. 
16. ^ ConsumerReports.com reliability document on the Chrysler Pacifica^{[dead link]}
17. ^ ConsumerReports.com consumer satisfaction document on the Chrysler Pacifica^{[dead link]}
18. ^ "Total Chrysler LLC December 2007 Sales Up 1 Percent on the Strength of Retail". CheersandGears.com. 2008-01-03. http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/55253-total-chrysler-llc-december-2007-sales-up-1-percent-on-the-strength-of-retail/. Retrieved 2009-01-05. 
19. ^ "December 2008 Sales: Chrysler LLC". CheersandGears.com. 2009-01-05. http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/27526-december-2008-sales-chrysler-llc/. Retrieved 2009-01-05. 

External links

• Official site by Chrysler
• Pacifica World forums