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2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle AWD is a Great Family Van

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Tony Maples Photography

 

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle is a great family van, and it also makes the perfect family road trip vehicle. With the addition of its new all-wheel drive (AWD) system, said to be the most advanced in its class, you can safely take the family anywhere. The Pacifica performs beautifully, even in sleet, snow or icy road conditions.

Pacifica drivers are also reassured of their passengers’ safety with 97 standard safety features, more than any of their competitors. The Pacifica Pinnacle operates on a 3.6 liter 24V VVT engine with ESS and 9-speed automatic transmission.

Chrysler Pacifica Bold New Exterior

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle AWD is a Great Family Van

Photo: Chrysler

My first impression even before driving the new Pacifica Pinnacle was how attractive this van is. The top-of-the-line Pinnacle looks athletic and sporty on the outside and is elegant and luxurious on the inside. My test vehicle came attired in a Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat paint coat, with black and caramel interior. The spacious cabin featured quilted Nappa-leather bucket seats.

With its refreshed front grille, LED headlamps, fog lamps, and eye-catching tail lamps that run all the way across the back of the van, the Pacifica is a very capable but classy-looking people mover. Promotional materials call the Pinnacle a “living room on wheels,” since it’s loaded with luxury features. The Caramel-colored Nappa leather seats are featured in all three rows, with matching lumbar pillows in the second-row captain’s chairs.

Cutting Edge Technology

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle AWD is a Great Family Van

Photo: Chrysler

The Pinnacle’s integrated Ultra console provides dual-level storage and has been redesigned to be as elegant looking as it is functional. The Pacifica offers the first North American application of Chrysler’s new Uconnect 5 system with myriad technology features. A 10.1” touchscreen is the largest in its class, and integrates with all your devices. Customers with Alexa on their devices at home can just ask the friendly robot to start the car for them. The system brings Amazon Alexa into the vehicle to interact with occupants, playing music or checking the weather and traffic.

Another cutting edge feature, the FamCAM™ interior camera, gives HD images of children seated in the rear. Pacifica’s USB ports allow devices to charge four times faster than standard. LED lights and Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) are offered as standard equipment, joining Blind-spot Monitoring and other features.

More Safety Features

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle AWD is a Great Family Van

Photo: Chrysler

Rear Cross Path detection, Rear Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Full Stop, electronic stability control (ESC), Forward Collision Warning with Full Stop, and Lane Departure Warning plus eight airbags are standard safety features.

The MSRP for my test model Pacifica Pinnacle AWD (with destination charges included) was $54,885. That seems like a very reasonable price for the ability to take your living room for a drive.

The fuel economy was estimated at 17 mpg in town and 25 mpg on the highway, for a combined average of 20 mpg.