Chrysler Content to Have One Model Making Up the Lineup – the Chrysler Pacifica Minivan

Chrysler may be known as the father of the minivan, leading the industry with innovative features like Stow ‘n’ Go second-row seats and the first plug-in hybrid minivan in the world. Now that the Chrysler 300 is kicking the bucket, Chrysler has only one model in its lineup – the Pacifica. Let’s ignore that this model comes with a plug-in hybrid variant for a moment. With very few upgrades for the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica minivan, the automaker claims a mid-cycle refresh is due, but as far as the 2024 model year is concerned, Chrysler is becoming a one-trick pony.

2024 Pacifica Upgrades

There weren’t many changes made for the 2024 model year. Aside from an exclusive new sepia interior color, sepia-quilted Nappa leather seats, and two new available exterior colors (Red Hot and Baltic Gray), there weren’t many changes. Chrysler did increase safety with the new Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS), and added the Road Tripper package to the Paficia. It comes with the latest in technology, including the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, with available features like the Uconnect Theater with Amazon Fire TV. The Road Tripper also adds additional capability on top of the available all-wheel drive (AWD) for going off-road, such as a roof rack compatible with a range of Mopar carriers and Mopar all-weather floor mats, and a best-in-class towing capability of up to 3,600 pounds. Aside from this, nothing incredible is planned for the Pacifica for the next few years.

“We’ll be doing a refresh on the Pacifica, and it will be more than just a moderate refresh. It will be pretty significant. I’m not at liberty to say what year that will come out. It will be some point after we launch the first new Chrysler BEV product.” – Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell

What about a BEV?

Yes, Chrysler did announce that the automaker was working on a new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) crossover to join the lineup, but we’re not sure when. There is a rumor floating around that the due date could be sometime in 2025, but the closest thing we got to a Chrysler BEV was the Airflow concept that appeared during the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). We could’ve sworn the automaker scratched that idea. With the introduction of new STLA Platforms, and the STLA SmartCockpit, these new features seemed to be reserved for future BEV models.

Let’s not write it off, though, the Airflow concept did seem pretty promising. Powered by the STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive, Stellantis is playing around with the idea of a software-defined vehicle with the STLA Brain as the operating system. Sadly, Level 3 autonomy is the highest STLA AutoDrive is capable of, but we’ve been seeing that for years in automatic safety systems like Forward Collision Warning Plus. The STLA SmartCockpit is where it’s at, powered by an intelligent, adaptive, user-interface that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to adapt to customers’ behaviors and interests. Thanks to connected services Stellantis is starting to offer, like Jeep Connect and Dodge Connect, consumers can also personalize and customize the interior, share information with passengers, connect to entertainment and apps, and more with the partnership between Stellantis and Amazon.

Chrysler seems pretty content and confident that it can float around for 2-3 years with just one model making up the lineup. After Dodge cancelled the Challenger and Charger, we’re starting to wonder if Stellantis has lost its marbles in this race for BEVs. We won’t know for sure until 2025-2027, but as of now, 2024 is right around the corner and should be pretty interesting to watch. Stay up to date on Chrysler and Stellantis when you follow us on Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram social media.

Photo Source/Copyright: Chrysler