The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave the new gasoline-powered Chrysler Pacifica a class-leading 28mpg rating on the highway, besting its predecessor by 12 per cent.
The new Chrysler Pacifica also scored a combined 22mpg of fuel economy which means that it’s 10 per cent more fuel efficient than the model it replaces.
The redesigned 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine now features a two-step variable-valve lift, cooled exhaust-gas recirculation and innovative engine-weight reductions that boost the engine’s efficiency and performance.
The updated engine is paired with the company’s nine-speed automatic gearbox, making its first appearance in a minivan.
Based on FCA’s new architecture, the new Chrysler Pacifica utilizes 22 per cent more high-strength steel, making it twice as stiff while being nearly 250 pounds lighter than its predecessor.
“The Pacifica isn’t just engineered for today,” says Mark Chernoby, Chief Operating Officer Product Development and Head of Product Portfolio Management for FCA’s Group Executive Council. “This vehicle is designed and crafted to enhance the lives of our customers for years to come.”
In addition, the new Pacifica is one of the most slippery models in the segments, offering a drag coefficient of 0.30. The engine stop-start system will be added in the range afterwards, with the Pacifica Hybrid to follow in the second half of the year, having a 30-mile all-electric range and an estimated 80MPGe.