Chrysler at Chicago Auto Show: Refreshed 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Offers All-Wheel Drive

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

Snow Belt parents, rejoice. There’s one more minivan on the market with all-wheel drive.

The refreshed 2021 Chrysler Pacifica now offers an AWD system that can redirect power away from any wheel that’s lost traction. The system also disconnects when not needed, reducing driveline drag and improving efficiency.

Meanwhile, the Pacifica’s front grille, headlamps, fog lamps, and taillamps are given an updated look. There will be four flavors available: Touring, Touring L, Limited, and a new range-topping trim dubbed Pinnacle. AWD will be available with all trims. Additionally, the plug-in hybrid powertrain remains an option. A limited Launch Edition trim will be available late in the second quarter of 2020, though the rest of the lineup hits the market in the fourth quarter.

Remarkably, the AWD hardware won’t kill the available Stow N’ Go seating system. However, the AWD system doesn’t appear to be available on hybrid models.

Chrysler is touting the number of safety features available on the van – roughly 100 – including new ones like LED lights and Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking. A new interior camera will be available to allow drivers to keep tabs on occupants. Other available safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with full stop, and lane-departure warning.

Meanwhile, the van will be the first application for Chrysler’s UConnect 5 infotainment system. The upgraded system offers faster-charging USB Type-C ports and up to 12 USB Type-A and Type-C ports combined.

Powertrains and the available S appearance package carry over, though there are new wheel choices on offer, with sizes ranging from 17 to 20 inches. Other available new features include new option packages, wireless charging, and 10-inch subwoofer.

[Images: Fiat Chrysler]

Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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  • 3800FAN 3800FAN on Feb 06, 2020

    Is the voyager gonna get the facelift and an awd option? I like the new face. Looks more masculine like the grand caravan. The wrap around taillights also look good like a 3rd gen prelude lol.

  • Garrett Garrett on Feb 06, 2020

    Looks good, but you know what would make it great? Slap a lift kit on it and some BFG Mud Terrains.

  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
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