Chrysler Pacifica

The Pacifica is much better than the Chrysler Town & Country minivan it replaced. The new van is offered in seven- and eight-passenger configurations and retains the handy fold-into-the-floor second-row seats. But these seats have limited thigh support. The 3.6-liter V6, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provides ample power and gets 21 mpg overall. Handling is responsive, the ride is comfortable, and the cabin is quiet. A plug-in hybrid version is available with an electric range of about 30 miles, and delivers a stellar 27 mpg overall when it runs as a hybrid. The UConnect touch-screen system is intuitive and easy to master. High-end versions of the Pacifica feature individual screens, with built-in games, for the rear passengers.

The wagon-like Pacifica has a comfortable ride and fairly nimble handling. Power comes from a coarse-sounding and fuel-thirsty 3.5-liter V6 that provides only adequate acceleration. The optional all-wheel-drive system works well for winter driving. The driving position is higher than in most sedans and lower than most SUVs', but a high beltline compromises the feeling of spaciousness and visibility. The interior seats six in three rows. The second row seats just two, so when the third row is folded, this is a four-seat vehicle. Crash-test results are impressive. A five-passenger version arrived for 2005, and the Pacifica received a 4.0-liter V6 for 2007. Chrysler discontinued the Pacifica after the 2008 model.