Yahoo Autos 2021 Chrysler Pacifica AWD Delivers All-Season Family Transport
When you're at the top of your game—and in our opinion, the Chrysler Pacifica definitely is—continued development is what keeps you there. Facing increased competition from family-sized SUVs as well as an updated Honda Odyssey and an all-new Toyota Sienna, Chrysler just introduced several key updates to the Pacifica, namely, a more handsome mug, available all-wheel drive, and a deluxe new trim level.
A much larger grille and squintier headlamps gives the 2021 Pacifica a more purposeful appearance. We'll stop short of calling it aggressive, but the restyled front end is undeniably attractive. The rear end also gets a modern touch in the form of a new full-width LED light signature that ties the two taillamps together.
Fresh New Look
After spinning off the Pacifica's bottom two trim levels—L and LX—as the low-cost Chrysler Voyager minivan in 2020, Chrysler has pushed the Pacifica further upmarket for 2021 with the introduction of the Pinnacle trim. (The Voyager is still the pre-facelift version, making it the Ram Classic of Pacificas.) Although it shares the same updated styling elements with the other, lesser Pacificas, the Pinnacle adds bodyside badging on the front doors, unique wheel designs, and attractive quilted leather upholstery in a rich caramel color.
The Pinnacle also offers a unique center console design that extends from the dashboard between the front seats. In the back seat, second-row passengers are treated to leather and suede lumbar pillows reminiscent of those found in ultra-luxury sedans from Mercedes-Maybach and Rolls-Royce. How fancy. Limited and Pinnacle models also benefit from acoustic glass for the windshield and front side windows to help provide more isolation from wind and road noise. To the naked ear, it doesn't seem much quieter, but in our testing we did measure a 1-decibel improvement at a 70-mph cruise.
All Pacifica models now come standard with a larger 10.1-inch infotainment display and the brand's latest version of the Uconnect software interface, called Uconnect 5. The new system can connect to two devices at the same time and supports up to five driver profiles with custom settings for those driver's specific preferences. It's also capable of receiving over-the-air updates.
