4 Ways the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is the Minivan with Everything

Chrysler Pacifica

What do you get the car that has everything? A hybrid version.

Don’t you hate shopping for your mom when she says I have everything I need? How annoying is it to try to ferret out the one tiny thing she truly needs.

But the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica makes this excess a gift. The new minivan, made by the originators of the minivan class, has truly reinvented the wheel.

Like a phoenix, the Chrysler Pacifica rises from the Town & Country ashes. And then cleans up those ashes

The new minivan has an integrated vacuum cleaner. Since our cars have become rolling living and dining rooms, how clever was that? The integrated vacuum cleaner reaches everywhere in the interior, and can even be used to tidy up your other car – BUT it is only recommended for dry use.

Sliding doors: of course. But even these are improved upon

Chrysler Pacifica

A few of the features of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. Credit: Mary Moore for AGirlsGuidetoCars

The Town & Country introduced power sliding doors and no one would think of creating a minivan now without them. So Chrysler went one better, with sliding doors that open with a foot swipe. Corralling two kids, or a kid and a grocery bag? No need to try opening the door with your elbow.

Of course, the rear cargo door also opens with a foot swipe.

Uconnect theater for the ultimate control

Chrysler Pacifica

Look at all that room. Credit: Judy Antell for AGirlsGuidetoCars

The second row now has dual 10 inch entertainment touchscreens that can be viewed from the third row. The system lets you stream from tablet and it has built-in games and apps, including “Are We There Yet – which offers a colorful look at the distance to your destination, along with estimated time of arrival.

If your kids are too small to reach the touchscreen, they can use the remote. And if they fall asleep with the wireless headphones on, you can mute or turn off the screen.

Saving the best for last

Chrysler is offering a plug in hybrid version, which it calls the 8-80. As in, can comfortably seat 8 passengers, and get 80 miles per gallon. The minivan will also have a pure electric range of 30 miles, and since most soccer mom (or dad) trips are 29 miles and under, you can schlep half the team and not have to fill up the tank.Chrysler Pacifica

 

Judy Antell, who is TravelingMom.com's Free in 50 States editor, lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with her husband and... More about Judy Antell

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