Chrysler · 2003–present

Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica is a mid-size crossover produced by Chrysler from 2003 to 2007, for the model years 2004 to 2008. The Pacifica was the first jointly engineered product of the 1998 DaimlerChrysler "merger of equals." Chrysler developed the vehicle in 30 months at a cost below $1 billion. The CUV was inspired by the 1999 Chrysler Pacifica and 2000 Chrysler Citadel concept cars. The production model was first introduced at the 2002 New York International Auto Show. Chrysler marketed the Pacifica as a "sports-tourer," building the vehicle at the Windsor Assembly Plant, alongside the long-wheelbase minivans from January 2003 through November 2007. The "Pacifica" name was briefly used as a trim package on the Dodge Daytona for 1987–1988 after the Chrysler Laser was discontinued. In January 2016, the Pacifica name was revived for a 2017 model year minivan, which debuted at the North American International Auto Show as a replacement for the Chrysler Town & Country.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Model year changes

=== 2004 === Initially, the Pacifica came in just one trim level. 2005 and 2006. Starting in 2005, the Pacifica was expanded into four trim levels: Base, Touring, Limited, and a special-edition Signature Series. The interior was also slightly restyled. Faux wood trim came standard in Pacifica Touring and Limited models, while the base-model "Pacifica" (later Pacifica LX), offered interior colored plastic trim. Signature Series models had metal clad interior trim and two-tone leather seats. 2007. The Pacifica's exterior was slightly restyled for 2007, including its headlights, hood, fenders, grille, front fascia and wheels. The brand new 4.0 L SOHC V6 engine was added, to complement the standard 3.8 L EGH V6. With the addition of the new engine and transmission, Dual Exhaust was added. New options included a rearview camera incorporated into the navigation system, stain, odor, and static-resistant seat fabric and new wheel options. 2008 (discontinuation). Chrysler announced on November 1, 2007 discontinuation of the Pacifica, producing the last Pacifica that same month. The final Pacifica rolled off the assembly line on November 23, 2007.

Description

=== Powertrain === The Pacifica crossovers were equipped with "Autostick" transaxles, Chrysler's version of a manually controlled automatic transmission. Other features include five-link rear suspension, self-leveling rear shock absorbers, and variable assist rack-and-pinion steering. The Pacifica offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg). At first, Pacifica was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with 250 hp (186 kW) and 250 lb⋅ft (340 N⋅m) of torque. Reviewers faulted the gruff engine, which was barely up to the task of battling the Pacifica's formidable mass, especially on fully loaded all-wheel-drive models. The 3.5-liter V6 with 250 hp (186 kW) and 250 lb⋅ft (340 N⋅m) was standard on all but the base front-wheel-drive model in 2005 using the 3.8-liter V6. The 3.8-liter V6 with 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet (330 N⋅m) was eliminated for 2006, leaving the 3.5-liter unit as the sole available engine. For 2007, the 3.8-liter engine returned in the base front-wheel-drive model, this time rated at 200 hp (149 kW), and a new 4.0-liter V6 replaced the 3.5-liter V6 in all other models. The 4.0-liter engine produced 255 hp (190 kW) and 265 lb⋅ft (359 N⋅m) and was mated with a new six-speed automatic transmission (the base engine continued with the four-speed unit) which allowed a respectable 0-60 mph time of 7.4 seconds. Safety. In 2006 the Chrysler Pacifica won an award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as the "best pick frontal". In 2007, the Pacifica won a five star front and side crash test rating. The Pacifica received this award for being equipped with traction control, four wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system, all-row side curtain air bags, Electronic Stability Program, and tire pressure monitoring system. Features. During the first model

Reception

The Pacifica was the first jointly engineered product of the 1998 Chrysler-DaimlerBenz "merger of equals." Chrysler developed the vehicle in 30 months at a cost below $1 billion. Parent DaimlerChrysler's other entry in the luxury SUV market, the M-Class (badged as the ML) appeared to be a rushed engineering job from the Mercedes-Benz truck division yet it was a great success, leading to the second-generation M-Class that used a crossover instead of a light truck platform. DaimlerChrysler heavily touted the Pacifica as the next "big thing" in the fledgling crossover market, forecasting sales of 100,000 per year. These estimations proved to be wildly optimistic, as sales never came close to expectations. There was stiff competition from other luxury crossovers like the Lexus RX and BMW X5; the RX was the volume leader and widely considered the benchmark for the class. Despite the Mercedes-like interior and other Mercedes-derived technologies, however, the Pacifica may have been overpriced for its marque, as general public perception did not consider Chrysler a luxury brand like BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. Indeed, DaimlerChrysler was reluctant to heavily promote the fact that the Pacifica (as well as several other jointly engineered vehicles such as the Crossfire and 300) featured technologies from its Mercedes division due to fear of cannibalization, as Benz vehicles had much higher prices and profits than their Chrysler equivalents. A three-year, multimillion-dollar contract was signed with singer Celine Dion in 2003, with advertisements designed to reposition Chrysler as a premium marque. However, the promotional campaign was widely considered a flop and so DaimlerChrysler ended it just one year later. Ending up, however, DaimlerChrysler lost money on every Pacific

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Chrysler Pacifica

Manufacturer

Chrysler

Production

January 2003 – November 2007

Model years

2004–2008

Class

Mid-size crossover SUV

Body style

5-door SUV

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

Platform

Chrysler CS platform

Wheelbase

116.3 in

Length

198.5 in (2004–06), 198.9 in (2007–08)

Width

79.3 in

Height

66.5 in (2004–06), 68.3 in (2007–08)

Assembly

Canada: Windsor, Ontario (Windsor Assembly)

Engine

Gasoline:, 3.5 L EGJ V6, 3.8 L EGH V6, 4.0 L EGQ V6

Transmission

4-speed Ultradrive 41TE automatic, 4-speed Ultradrive 41AE automatic, 6-speed Ultradrive 62TE automatic

Related

Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Voyager

Designer

Freeman Thomas (1999)

Successor

Chrysler Pacifica (RU) (Pacifica nameplate), Dodge Journey (as a crossover)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1088754CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Pacifica_(crossover)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1354504441 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chrysler_Pacifica_red.jpgAttribution · Photo: Łukasz Golowanow · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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