2007 Chrysler Pacifica
By: Juan G. Robbin
An upscale crossover that is part of the crowd.
We recently had the opportunity to drive the Pacifica Limited over 300 miles in all types of traffic and in different uses and yet, we came away with mixed feelings. The Pacifica was the culmination of the expected synergies between the two merged car companies, namely, Chrysler and Daimler-Benz; however, much of the engineering and mechanicals come from Mercedes-Benz and oddly, we didn’t feel any of the current Mercedes-Benz magic.
The Pacifica is a good looking crossover, with contemporary, modern lines and design. The size of the Pacifica is equal to a typical SUV, yet easier to park, especially in a standard sized garage.
The front seats are comfortable and easy to access, offering good visibility all the way around, including rear views. Once seated you notice all of the switches and appointments on the instrument panel, center and lower console. We actually thought it was a bit overwhelming.
The quality of the switchgear was surprisingly middle-of-the-road. One would think that with the Mercedes-Benz influence some of the more important interior trim items would be of higher tactile quality, but this was not the case.
Driving the Pacifica is somewhat of a non-event. The engine has good response when called to accelerate, but the suspension dampening felt completely out of place, with bumps and road irregularities causing the feedback to feel loose and unrefined. Steering and brakes are typical for this size vehicle, they do the job well, yet unremarkable.
The Pacifica comes with accoutrements that are typical of the Limited version. These include centrally mounted DVD player, remote rear hatch, navigation system displayed in the instrument panel and premium sound system.
If you are considering a crossover, and like a lot of the optional bells and whistles, then the Pacifica Limited is worth looking at closely. It does its job well, yet unremarkable.
The Essentials
MSRP: $33,775.00 MSRP (as tested): $38,470.00
Fuel Economy (observed): 20.4 MPG
Engine: V6, 4.0 liter, 253 HP
Popular options: Infinity upgraded sound system, GPS Nav, rear back up cam, 2nd row overhead 8” video screen, hands-free comm.
Visit: www.chrysler.com