Pacifica takes over the Town (& Country)

DAVE: It's better because Chrysler made a newfound commitment to one of its bread-and-butter offerings. Gone is the more upright stance of the traditional minivan. In is a look as if the Pacifica is being blown by a strong headwind. Aerodynamically, that's a plus that helps visually and with fuel consumption.

Minivans are noted for their sliding side doors and the Pacifica is no different, although their presence is not so noticeable as to be a detriment. Better yet, those doors can be opened by waving a foot underneath or touching the handles. The same goes for the liftgate. Chrysler also improved upon the ease-of-use for the Stow ’n Go second- and third-row seats, which turn a deep cargo well with 32.3 cubic feet of space into a flat bed with 140.5 cubic feet of space.

JIMMY: There's a 3.6-liter V6 engine which is comparable to other minivans in the segment. It's more powerful and more enjoyable to drive than the Town & Country, and significantly better than the old crossover that Chrysler badged as a Pacifica several years ago. The 2017 Pacifica is lighter than the Town & Country. And that weight drop helps with fuel economy, but it also helps with performance. A 9-speed transmission is modern and fantastic. The 287 horsepower output is also impressive. Overall, the Pacifica drives more like a comfortable and powerful SUV than a lanky, underpowered minivan. But let's face it, today's minivan is all about the interior. How does the Pacifa stack up inside, Dave?

DAVE: Seating is for seven or eight people and the three-person third-row bench is easily accessible and quite roomy. Buttons on the side pillars enable the front buckets to slide forward to better utilize the Stow 'n Go feature. The front cockpit is all about functionality, with the rotary shifter on the dash saving some space, as does the exclusion of a center console, which opens up space for more storage nooks. A 5-inch monitor is standard in the center dash but the 8.4-inch touchscreen with Chrysler's Uconnect techie package we tested would be preferred. For road trips or families, the Uconnect Theater Package with its two 10-inch touchscreen monitors in the backsides of the front seats would be a must for Blu-rays, games and apps. Chrysler really has jumped into the second decade of the 21st Century.

JIMMY: The selling point of the Pacifica exceeds just the creature comforts found inside, although those are praiseworthy. Available in five trims, the Pacifica has a base trim that is lower than that of the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. Compile that with segment-leading fuel economy of 18 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway, and the Pacifica could resonate with budget-minded families. The base Pacifica has a starting MSRP under $28,000. My tester was the Touring L and had a starting price of $34,495. With optional equipment, my tester had a final MSRP of $36,880. Dave drove the Touring-L Plus, which has a base price of $37,895 and comes with the entertainment features. So, Dave, do you think this will reinvigorate the stagnant minivan segment?

DAVE: It's tough to slow the shifting tide, although Chrysler is taking a stab at it. Why the automaker didn't just retool the Town & Country or unveil a whole new nameplate can be debated. That the Pacifica is a better version of the ol' minivan, however, is clear.

David Mikesell is a freelance automotive reviewer based in Indianapolis. Jimmy Dinsmore is a freelance automotive journalist.

2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA TOURING-L PLUS