In recent years, Chrysler has taken steps to make sure that you can get all the great benefits of a minivan without any of the drawbacks commonly associated with this model of vehicle. The latest 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is available with the all-new luxurious Pinnacle trim that features incredible features, fine styling, and the type of acceleration and handling usually associated with SUVs and sedans. This fully-loaded, top-of-the-line minivan has an MSRP of $53,390 and is so roomy with so many great premium features that your kids may actually have so much fun during long family road trips that they won’t serenade you with a chorus of “are we there yet?” Let’s take a closer look at the heights reached by the Pacifica Pinnacle that set it apart from the typical “boring” minivan that is parked in your neighbor’s driveway.
Exceptional Performance and Handling
The first thing you are sure to notice when you get behind the wheel of the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle is that it does not handle like a minivan. That is because the Pacifica Pinnacle is all-wheel drive standard for better traction, especially during inclement weather. The front suspension has struts, while the rear uses a multi-link trailing arm suspension, giving the Pacifica Pinnacle a much smoother ride, like many luxury SUVs. The electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering will give you a great feel and control over the ride, unlike many of the sloppy steering systems featured on other minivans. This minivan rides on 20-inch aluminum wheels that truly grip the road, with 4-wheel antilock disc brakes giving you amazing braking power to enhance the Pacifica’s safety.
The 2021 Pacifica runs on a 3.6-liter V-6 gas engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This increases the engine’s performance and efficiency. The engine has a double overhead cam configuration with port fuel injection and can produce 287 horsepower and generate up to 262 pounds-feet of torque. As a result, the Pacifica Pinnacle is rated to tow up to 3,600 pounds, a great feature to have if you want to take along a boat, recreation vehicles, or small camper on your next trip.
For many folks, the thought of getting on the highway in traffic in a minivan can be the stuff of nightmares. Fortunately, you will not have this problem with the 2021 Pacifica Pinnacle. It can reach 60 miles per hour in a solid 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 111 miles per hour, so you will have no problem cruising around in this minivan. In addition, the Pacifica Pinnacle is amazingly fuel-efficient for this type of vehicle. You can expect 17 MPG in city driving, 25 MPG on the highway, and 20 MPG combined. With its 19-gallon fuel tank, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle has a range of up to 475 miles, so you can go far between pit stops.
Chrysler also offers the Pacifica Pinnacle with an optional hybrid engine. This is a 3.6-liter V-6 plug-in hybrid, so recharging is safe, easy, and convenient. The engine produces 260 horsepower on a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT replaces standard engine gearing with an adaptive gear ratio to improve engine performance and efficiency. It has a combined fuel economy of 30 MPG on gasoline, with a range of 32 miles on battery power alone and a combined fuel economy of an incredible 82 MPGe. It also utilizes regenerative braking to charge the batteries, in addition to the plug-in feature.
Luxury Interior
After you’re done having fun test-driving your Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle, you are going to notice that this interior is incredibly roomy and luxurious. That is because the Pacifica Pinnacle has over 165 cubic feet of passenger space, which plenty of room for seven passengers to stretch out. It also has gorgeous quilted caramel Nappa leather seats. These are not the ugly vinyl seats on those old minivans – they are so soft and supple, you are not going to want to get out of your Pacifica when you reach your destination. The second-row seats even feature lumbar support pillows that increase the comfort level for your passengers. Chrysler completes the interior look of the Pinnacle with caramel contrast stitching, satin chrome accents, and wood grain trim that give this minivan a look more like a luxury sedan or SUV, but without sacrificing the utility offered by this model.
If you need to use your Pacifica Pinnacle to move stuff, the second and third rows feature Stow’ n Go Seating so you can easily fold the seats down to free up space. As it is, the Pacifica has a full 32.3 cubic feet of space in its trunk. By folding down the third row of seats, you can free up an additional 55.2 cubic feet for a total of 87.5 cubic feet of cargo space. When you fold down the second row as well, you can get a grand total of 140.5 cubic feet of space for your belongings. Once you’ve dropped off your stuff, you can easily fold the seats back for your passengers.
When you need to clean your Pacifica Pinnacle, you can use the integrated Stow’ n Vac. This vacuum system by RIGID makes cleaning your Pacifica easy with its powerful suction, much like the central vac systems featured in luxury homes. Once you are finished, it stores easily back into its out-of-the-way compartment. Chrysler has added an Integrated Ultra Center Console to the Pacifica Pinnacle that makes accessing all the features simple and ergonomic, so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road when you’re driving. It features pass-through and covered storage for your belongings, as well as a wireless phone charger.
There is also a Uconnect Theater with built-in games and apps to keep your passengers entered during your journeys. If you prefer music, the 2021 Pacifica Pinnacle has a 19-speaker Harman Kardon Premium Audio system that will make you the envy of audiophiles all over your neighborhood. Finally, the Pinnacle comes with a FamCAM interior cabin camera, so you can keep track of all the things happening in the second and third rows without having to turn around. Simply access this on the largest-in-class 10.1-inch touchscreen to see the action in real-time.
Premium Safety Features Come Standard on the Pinnacle
The 2021 Chrysler Pinnacle is equipped with a standard Safety Sphere Advanced Safety Features system. This includes the 360-degree surround-view camera, which takes the usual rear view camera in new directions. ParkSense Front Park Assist and Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist will make getting your Pacifica Pinnacle into and out of tight spots easier than ever.
Safety Sphere Advanced also includes the features of the standard SafetyTec Plus found on the Pacifica Limited model. This includes Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring. Basically, the Pinnacle takes the standard safety features on the Chrysler Pacifica to a new summit of safety for you and your passengers. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration gave the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica a top five-star overall safety rating.
Luxury, Performance, and Comfort
The days of the boring, suburban minivan are over. The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle has shown that you can reach for the top in performance, safety, and luxury in a minivan, without sacrificing any of the space and convenience associated with this type of vehicle. With V-6 power, hybrid fuel economy, car-like handling, and more interior space than any SUV, the Pacifica is the perfect vehicle for families who demand more. And with the Luxury Pinnacle trim, those features have been taken to new heights. Why compromise when you can really have it all?
