2004 Chrysler Pacifica: First-quarter update

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[size=2](08:30 Feb. 16, 2004)
[/size][size=4]2004 Chrysler Pacifica: First-quarter update[/size]
[size=3]Heavy, Dude: Our Long-Term Pacifica Provokes A Weighty Debate[/size]

[size=3]By BOB GRITZINGER [/size]

[size=1](Photos by Roger Hart)[/size]We were just days into driving our long-term 2004 Chrysler Pacifica when the subject first came up: weight.

Our early concerns centered on the vehicle’s 4482-pound curb weight being more than the Pacifica’s 250-hp 3.5-liter V6 could handle. But as a general rule, in early running our testers felt the engine was more than capable of hauling around this front-wheel-drive model.

FIRST-QUARTER [size=3]MILES: 5908
FUEL MILEAGE: 17.88 mpg
MAINTENANCE: 3000-mile oil change (no charge)
READERS: If you own one of the following vehicles, we’d like to hear from you. Send comments for use in future updates to autofile@crain.com: Mini Cooper, Honda Element, Nissan 350Z, Volvo XC90, Chrysler Pacifica, Jaguar XJ, Volkswagen Phaeton, Mazda RX-8, Toyota Prius, Porsche Cayenne. Send comments for use in future updates to autofile@crain.com.
[/size]“Other Pacificas I’ve driven were all-wheel-drive models and I thought the car was woefully underpowered,” said one staffer. “This fwd model doesn’t seem as bad, but this is still a heavy car. There is a feeling of heft with the vehicle, and a lot of people equate that with quality. Time will tell.”

There you have it—the crux of our debate: Is weight a good thing or a bad thing?

Though our staff leans toward svelte sports cars, when it comes to family-hauler wagons, some extra poundage appears to be a welcome feature.

“If I’m looking for a people hauler for my family, I want heavy, I want substantial,” said one tester. “I want something that’s gonna run over other vehicles and keep my kiddies safe.”

And he doesn’t even have kids.

But contrary to traditional wisdom that equates heavy vehicles with wallowy handling and spongy response, Pacifica is a stellar street machine and highway cruiser. Kudos to the modified Mercedes E-Class rear suspension, but also credit Chrysler engineers with hitting the sweet spot between a smooth ride and responsive suspension. And for potential buyers moving out of those top-heavy sport/utes, minivans and trucks, Pacifica is a huge leap toward better handling.

“To them, this thing handles like a Vette compared to their old minivan,” noted one staffer.



That broaches the subject Chrysler has been battling since it first suggested building the Pacifica “segment buster” a few years back: What is this really—a wagon, a low minivan or something else entirely?

For now, we’re content with calling it a pretty handsome, upscale and functional package from the company that claims credit for inventing the minivan. We like the little touches—the power liftgate, the easily flipped-and-folded second- and third-row seats, the intuitive door-mounted power seat controls (thanks again, Mercedes) and the child-friendly DVD player.

We’re not quite as sold on the driver-oriented navigation screen and we’ve heard more than a few expressions of concern about Chrysler and potential long-term quality gremlins. But so far, our long-term whatever-it-is seems pretty bulletproof, with nary a squeak or rattle even over harsh bumps and chuckholes.

We’ll let you know what the coming months bring.