The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Minivan Earns a “Top Safety Pick” from the IIHS
The year is almost over, and just before we move onto 2024 and 2024 model-year vehicles, organizations still want to let consumers know which vehicles currently available on the market are the best at what they do. Whether looking for tech, a comfortable interior, or safety, automotive journalists have all the information consumers may want. One organization in particular is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Testing vehicles for crashworthiness, or how well they may handle an auto incident, the IIHS rates new vehicles every year to test how safe they really are. Most recently, the IIHS tested the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica minivan, and gave it a rating of “TOP SAFETY PICK”.
“The Chrysler Pacifica is America’s most awarded minivan for 7 years running and 2023 Chrysler Pacifica stands alone among minivans with its 97 standard-equipment safety and security features and its renowned versatility…The total package delivers the superior level of driving confidence consumers want and deserve.” – Chrysler brand CEO Chris Feuell
On the market for less than a decade, and the Chrysler Pacifica has earned more than 175 honors and industry accolades since its introduction as a minivan. Chrysler, the father of the minivan segment, introduced features like Stow ‘n’ Go seats, Uconnect entertainment systems, and was the first Fiat Chrysler model to get a plug-in hybrid option. It would remain so for several years before Jeep started its 4xe series with the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. A family minivan should be as safe as possible, so earning a Top Safety Pick (TSP) from the IIHS is another nice notch Chrysler can add to its belt.
Refreshing its tests in recent years, the IIHS rates vehicles based on six tests – small overlap front for the driver side and passenger side, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints and seats. The side test and moderate overlap front has been revised, but the IIHS tested the Pacifica on both. For each test, the IIHS delivers a grade of “Poor”, “Marginal”, “Acceptable”, or “Good.” Interestingly enough, the Pacifica earned a “Good” grade on all of the original tests, but the updated moderate overlap front test earned a “Marginal” grade, and the updated side test earned an “Acceptable” grade. This may be why it earned a “Top Safety Pick” and not a “Top Safety Pick +”.
The IIHS also looks at safety features that help avoid or mitigate auto incidents. Using a grading scale of “Basic”, “Advanced”, and “Superior”, the Pacifica earned a “Superior” grade for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. It earned an “Advanced” grade for front crash prevention for vehicle-to-pedestrian collisions in day and night settings. Surely, keeping the driver and passengers safe is the primary goal, but pedestrian and cyclist protection safety has grown popular in recent years, and we’re honestly surprised the 2023 Pacifica doesn’t have these systems in play. Regardless, the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica minivan has the following advanced safety features standard adaptive cruise control and stop and go, blind spot and cross path detection, lane departure warning plus, a ParkView rear back-up camera, ParkSense rear and front park assist with stop, and full-speed forward-collision warning plus. Even though they may be advanced, automatic safety features do not replace good driving practice, and keeping everyone safe on the road is ultimately the driver’s responsibility.
Want to find a safe minivan to keep your family protected? Look for a new Chrysler Pacifica at Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.