(By Tom Lohnes) – This Just in folks: The dying Minivan segment has finally adopted AWD. Well, half of the minivans have. The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica is finally available with AWD, and it really doesn’t matter all that much, but it’s happening.
The Toyota Sienna has always offered All-Wheel-Drive for the family of 8 that owns one up in Alaska, and it has been a good-selling option up to date. The other three minivans in this class, the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, and Kia Sedona, are all FWD only. But for 2021 Chrysler refreshed the Pacifica with a new face and a new AWD system. Apparently, it couldn’t have come soon enough, because Chrysler has just released an AWD version of their 2020 Pacifica.
I mean, it’s good to see demand for Chrysler vehicles again. Powering the Pacifica is the same 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 seen in every single FCA offering since 2012. The V6 pumps out 260 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft of torque through a 9-speed automatic to now all 4 wheels. The Pacifica should keep it’s mid 8-second 0-60 time and rather nice interior for a minivan.
Pricing for the AWD Pacifica starts at $35,000 and can go up to $43,000 fully equipped.
Rebadged Fiat, innit? Pentastar v6? Or Italian sourced? Anyone know?
It just seems to have some Italian wierdness about it.
Chrysler engine that was designed in the DCX era, paired with a van built on a FIAT / Alfa chassis. Same platform as the Jeep Cherokee and the FWD Dodge Dart.
The 3.6 has been awarded top 10 best engine for about 10 years, it’s a solid one.
What is up with bangshift???? first a bunch of sports cars now MINI VANS????????
Is this the future of bangshift?