Should You Buy a Chrysler Pacifica or a Dodge Caravan?
Comedian Jim Gaffigan did an excellent job of highlighting the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica through a series of hilarious endorsements. Ranked the most technologically-advanced minivan of its kind, as well as the first ever hybrid-electric minivan on the auto market, the 2017 Pacifica is quickly gaining notoriety as one of the best family minivans out there. Still, some in-market shoppers may be curious to see how the new Pacifica measures up to the classic 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan, so we’ve deconstructed the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, inside and out, top to bottom, alongside the 2017 Dodge Caravan to allow consumers to see which vehicle suits their needs best.
World-Class Design
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica was voted one of Ward’s 10 Best Interior Designs for 2016. Starting with the exterior, the Pacifica was inspired by unique aerodynamic technologies that allow for a lightweight ride. 10 luxurious new paint colours guarantee you’ll stand out from the crowd, and LED taillights and fog lamps come standard on every model, helping you transition from day to night. Minivans were designed with families in mind, which is why the hands-free power liftgate is one of the best and most essential design elements of the 2017 Pacifica. Whether you’re juggling groceries, sports equipment, or kids, at the touch of a button, your liftgate can be opened with ease. Once inside the new Pacifica, you’ll enjoy comfort, innovative style and functionality at its finest. With up to 243 cargo configurations, your brand new Pacifica can be customized to suit your everyday needs. There are 2 cargo bins as well as in-floor storage, allowing you to accommodate all of your passengers and their belongings with ease. Unlike most minivans which offer a standard 7-passenger vehicle, the 2017 Pacifica has 2nd-row seating that can transform into 8-passenger seating. There’s plenty of legroom and shoulder room, not to mention active noise-cancelling technologies located throughout the cabin, so you and your passengers can both enjoy the ride, no matter what.
The 2017 Dodge Caravan exudes a sleek and sophisticated design that is an homage to a classic. With 81 possible cargo configurations and Super Stow n’ Go seating, there are plenty of ways to store everybody’s belongings. The new Dodge Caravan comes with an available power liftgate as well as dual power sliding doors, which come in handy when your hands are full. Six new paint colours are available for all models, which are sure to show off the redefined rear design of the Caravan which boasts a sculpted set of headlamps and LED taillamps. Just like the Stow n’ Go seating lets you take advantage of some extra hidden space, the Caravan’s Stow n’ Place roof rack allows you to store the crossbars when you’re not using them, letting you take advantage of a more aerodynamic driving experience.
Safety First and Foremost
Out on the road, safety is arguably the most important feature families look for in a minivan. With 8 possible seats, there’s bound to be more than just the driver in the vehicle at all times, and it’s essential to have a minivan that gives you peace of mind while protecting those in the back seats. The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica has added more than 100 safety features, including the brand new 360° Surround-View Camera which incorporates 4 cameras to bring you a birdseye view of your surroundings at all times. If you’re going to be sharing the vehicle with new or young drivers, a new standard feature called KeySense allows for limitations on driving speed and audio volumes to ensure distracted driving is minimized at all times while promoting safer driving habits. The new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica also has Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, which issues a series of audio and visual alerts to notify the driver of oncoming traffic.
This year, the 2017 Dodge Caravan has included 55 upgraded safety features, including 7 standard airbags, ABS technology, Brake Assist, All-Speed Traction Control and Trailer Sway Control. Available on select models, drivers can take advantage of electronic stability control, rear park assist and blind-spot monitoring with built-in automatic headlamps. A ParkView rear Back-up Camera is available, letting you reverse and parallel park with confidence with help from a 6.5-inch display touchscreen back-up camera. Due to its sturdy and lightweight structure, the Dodge Caravan has extremely responsive handling, which is amplified by sturdy front and rear springs, larger-diameter rear shocks, high-rate rear torsion beam axle and track bar bushings, as well as the quick-ratio power steering system. There are also active front head restraints which protect you by creating space between your head and the restraint in the case of an accident to reduce personal injury.
Advanced Technology at its Finest
With design and safety out of the way, it’s time to talk technology. Minivans aren’t just for Mom anymore, and the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica makes this point loud and clear. The all-new Uconnect theatre system is perfect for passengers, as it’s essentially entertainment at your fingertips. Available 5” and 8.4” touchscreens grant you access to all of your favourite games, TV shows, movies, music and much more with built-in media apps. They’re also compatible with Bluetooth and Sirius XM radio, which allows for handsfree communication and seamless navigation. Standard built-in Active Noise Cancellation enhances sound quality in all 3 rows, without disturbing the needs of others in the vehicle. The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with a flawless audio system in mind, with 3 available sound systems for the ultimate acoustic experience. A 1st-row USB charging port and two 12-volt auxiliary power outlets come standard on the Pacifica, and Available 2nd- and 3rd-row USB charging ports and an 115V auxiliary power outlet keep you connected at all times.
SiriusXM Radio comes standard on the 2017 Dodge Caravan with a one-year subscription, and Bluetooth Audio streaming, DVD entertainment packages and Garmin navigation systems can be easily added in as an optional feature. Exclusive to the Dodge Caravan is the Radio 430N Multimedia Centre, which includes AM/FM radio, CD/DVD player with MP3/WMA playback capability and auxiliary input jacks streamed through a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen display, with 28 GB of available hard drive.
Thinking about buying a minivan? Shop our brand new Chrysler Pacifica’s, and Dodge Caravan’s or check out our other new inventory. On a bit of a budget? Remember to browse our pre-owned minivan inventory. Call us today at 1 (888) 910-8980 or contact us online for more information.