LOOKS

Much of how the Pacifica will be judged is in relation to the vehicle it’s replacing, and that’s a good thing, because it’s leagues ahead of the Town & Country.

The vehicle is well-designed and features quality materials all around, with plenty of room in all three rows (a rarity), quality leather bucket seats, a beautifully manicured steering wheel and dashboard.

The versatility created by the improved stow and go seating in the second and third rows is critical to large families, and the one-step adjustments are a huge timesaver. With some other vehicles I’ve tested, it’s like solving a puzzle to stow away seats, but here you can skip the “Which tab do I pull first?” line.

Speaking of versatility, you get up to 8-passenger seating offered, which few vehicles offer these days.

In terms of comfort, you get heated front and second row seats, a heated steering wheel, and second-row and third-row window shades. A welcoming and attractive sunroof across the entire roof of the vehicle is also offered and nice in warmer climates.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER

Getting behind the wheel of the Pacifica is a much more pleasant experience that you would expect from a minivan. The 3.6-liter V6 engine produces 287 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. It features a 9-speed automatic transmission, controlled by a dial in the center console.

The Pacifica is capable of towing 3,600 lbs, which leads the class. It’s also front-wheel drive only (Toyota’s Sienna is the only minivan currently offering AWD).

Getting up to speed isn’t the forte of the Pacifica, but it’s not painfully slow like some other larger vehicles can be.

And I was impressed with the overall feel and response from the vehicle once you do get moving. It’s a very smooth ride, which is what you should expect in this kind of people-mover. Road noise in the vehicle is also limited effectively.

If your expectations are in line with what minivans are supposed to do, and you’re not expecting a hot rod, the driving experience in a Pacifica is overall a positive thing, on par or better than its minivan competition.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

This is an area where Chrysler went all-in, offering either standard or optional pretty much all the key safety features offered on modern vehicles, and some cool extras too.

Airbags are aplenty (advanced multistage front airbags, driver inflatable knee bolster airbag, passenger inflatable knee bolster airbag, supplemental side-curtain airbags in all rows, and front seat-mounted airbags).

You also get a LATCH child seat anchor system, the always helpful Parkview rear backup camera, remote start, electronic stability control, Keyless entry and hill start assist, and to help with your kids’ messes (or adult messes) -- a built-in vacuum cleaner is an option.

Safety options include blind spot and crosspath detection, Parksense rear park assist with stop, and more.

The “Advanced Safetytec Group”, a $1,995 option, includes some very cool and helpful safety features: ParkSense front and rear assist with stop, 360 degree surround view camera system, Parallel and perpendicular park assist with stop, Adaptive cruise control with stop and go, full speed forward collision warning plus, lane departure warning plus, rain sensitive windshield wipers and advance brake assist. These seem like high-end features, but the price to add them is actually reasonable and you’ll appreciate the extra feeling of safety this brings, especially if you’re toting around the entire family (or half your kid’s soccer team).

You can adjust much of the tech in a Pacifica too, such as how severely the lane departure system jerks you back into place. And you can place limits on speed and some tech features if your children are driving the vehicle -- something kids won’t like but parents will love.

With all the above in play, it’s safe to say that safety won’t not a concern in the Pacifica, especially since it’s earned a 5-star NHTSA safety rating.

Getting back to the tech side of things, the Uconnect infotainment system with navigation is a hit once again, possibly the best in the business. Great response to voice commands and an excellent physical response to input on a well-designed screen. You get a 1 year Sirius XM subscription and plenty of power outlets and USB ports.

The theater package is a great option for the kids in back on longer rides,  and it’s on dual seatback screens so it’s not hanging in the middle of the vehicle blocking your view. Wireless headphones let the kids enjoy the show while you don’t have to.

MPG
One area where I was pleasantly surprised by the Pacifica was gas mileage. With 18 city/28 highway and 22 combined mpg, it compares remarkably well to its minivan competition -- something I don’t always say when reviewing FCA vehicles. During my time in the Pacifica, these numbers seemed on track with my experience.

It’s a good sign that the company is starting to realize this for both monetary and environmental reasons, strong fuel economy is an area that people care about and helps drive sales.

If you go the hybrid route, Chrysler claims up to 30 miles of electric power, before it will change to gas/electric hybrid power. (Note: I  have yet to test a hybrid Pacifica)

PRICE
My test vehicle was a Touring-L Plus trim level, and came in at $43,765 ($37,895 plus options). The base Pacifica (LX trim level) starts at $28,595; Top trim level (Limited) starts at $42,495, and with options can push past the $45K mark.

By comparison, a Honda Odyssey (another favorite minivan of mine) starts about $30K and its top trim level starts at $45K. Toyota’s Sienna is similarly priced. So you can save a decent amount by choosing Pacifica over these competitors. One minivan alternative in roughly the same price range as the Pacifica is the Kia Sedona.

You’ll get a 5-year/60,000 mile warranty on powertrain, and a 3-year/36,000 mile basic limited warranty on the Pacifica.

BOTTOM LINE

With an attractive look, a versatile design, strong tech and safety features, and plenty to offer for families, the Pacifica should be a big hit for Chrysler and FCA, though whether it’s as successful as they need it to be remains to be seen. Either way, they’re done an excellent job coming up with a brand new vehicle most families would absolutely love -- even among a sea of competition.

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Matt Myftiu can be foundon Twitter @MattMyftiu.