2004 Chrysler Pacifica

Creators of the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica insist this brand new form of flexible transportation defies all existing categories. It is neither minivan nor sport utility, and it is most certainly not a station wagon, they say. All these terms carry baggage (no pun intended) Chrysler wants no part of where the Pacifica is concerned. This is a new day in transportation, they declare, and the Pacifica is what we will all come to recognize as a “sports tourer.”

OK. Fine.

Whatever it is, I like it.

The Good News
I understand Chrysler wanting to craft a sexier, more unique image for the Pacifica, but let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. The fact remains that SUVs dominate the market, minivans offer huge advantages for today’s active families and American station wagons are still mourned by the many who lived in and loved them for decades. That the Pacifica reflects the best in all these could not be such a terrible thing.

The Pacifica is built in Canada alongside Chrysler’s venerable minivans, but has its own unique platform. Power comes from the same 3.5 liter 24-valve V6 that motivates the 300M sedan. Its 250 horses/250 lb-ft torque hit the road via Chrysler’s AutoStick automatic, which gives you the option of clutchless, manual shifting.

This nod to performance is repeated in the Pacifica’s suspension, which features an independent setup in the front and a Mercedes-inspired five-link in the rear. To be so large, the Pacifica not only accelerates competently in all situations, it also hangs tight in the corners much better than I expected.

How big is it? Almost 200 inches in overall length with a 116-inch wheelbase. For reference, that’s an inch shorter than a Honda Odyssey minivan, but longer than mid-sized sport utilities like Chevy Trailblazer or Ford Explorer. It stands on an exceptionally wide track, but is only as high as a Toyota Highlander. Less than six inches of ground clearance and regular swing-out car doors for second row access make entry/exit easy and remind me of the old station wagons.

Those exterior dimensions create interior space that seats six in three rows. The middle row captain’s chairs hint at a touch of class (and minivan) with their own center console. They fold forward for rear seat access. Those second and third rows also fold flat with the greatest of ease. Presto chango: 13 cubic feet behind the rear seat becomes 80 cubic feet of flat-floor cargo room.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration gives the Pacifica 5 stars on front- and side-impact crash test ratings, and I give it 4 stars for looks. From its regal front end to its electronic rear hatch, the Pacifica resembles a sedan, then a limousine/station wagon, then a sport utility. But this hodge-podge manages to flow beautifully, elegantly even. More importantly, at least to Chrysler, it looks distinctive.

The Bad News
As with most vehicles this size that include a third seat, the Pacifica’s third row is neither easily accessible nor overly comfortable for adults. The sloping roof, which creates such a nice profile, further compromises rear headroom. But this third seat is not the worst I’ve found. That it holds only two passengers may bother some families.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 17 mpg city/22 highway

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $32,300;
Price as tested, $34,570

Is it worth it?
My Pacifica was the more expensive all-wheel-drive model, but did not otherwise have many options. Navigation, rear entertainment systems for the kids (oops, it’s NOT a minivan) and other extras can make it much less affordable.

But the as-tested total on mine competes pretty evenly with upper crust versions of the Toyota Highlander and Nissan Murano, neither of which have a third seat. It is several thousand more than a new Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey minivan, however.

All things considered, I like this Pacifica. It gets points for style and interior luxury, overall convenience and driving pleasure. It makes you feel dressed up in ways many utility vehicles don’t.

Chrysler will be happy to know I think they’ve created an attractive addition to the market that effectively sidesteps many stigmas. They won’t be happy to know I think they did it by combining old-fashioned minivan, sport-utility and station-wagon attributes.

They can call it whatever they want.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville's daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.