The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica gets a styling refresh, new infotainment and available AWD.
The U.S.-spec Voyager and Canadian-spec Grand Caravan serve as entry-level minivans for the brand.
Simplified lineup for the Chrysler 300, which soldiers on without any significant changes.
A new automotive giant is about to be established. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is in the process of merging with Groupe PSA, creating one of the biggest auto manufacturers in the world called Stellantis.
FCA has many brands, and so does PSA. A logical strategy is to keep the brands that work well in certain regions of the globe, and phase out those who don’t perform. The Chrysler brand’s future is up in the air at the moment, with a slim product portfolio and nothing new in the pipeline. Who exactly is Chrysler’s target audience also needs to be sorted out if Stellantis plans to keep it alive. In the meantime, here’s what to expect from the Chrysler brand in 2021.
The Chrysler Pacifica minivan received a mid-cycle refresh for the 2021 model year, and it’s an extensive one. An all-wheel drivetrain is available for the first time, and despite the extra hardware under the floor, Stow ‘n Go seating is still offered—which fold flat in the load floor in both the second and third rows. The minivan also gets new front and rear fascias, more standard active safety features, a new Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen as well as a range-topping Pinnacle trim level that includes Caramel Nappa quilted leather seats, second-row lumbar pillows and a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system. The Pacifica is still equipped with a 287-horsepower 3.6L V6 matched to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Meanwhile, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combines the V6 engine with an electronically controlled automatic transmission that integrated two electric motors, producing a combined 260 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid powertrain also offers a driving range of up to 32 miles or 51 kilometres. The Pacifica Hybrid also received a redesigned exterior and the technological enhancements as its non-hybrid counterpart, but can’t be equipped with AWD or Stow ‘n Go. A luxurious Pinnacle for the PHEV minivan is now offered as well.
At the lower end of the price spectrum, the U.S.-market Chrysler Voyager retains the styling of the pre-2021 Pacifica, but with a new texture for its black lower grille, and fills the role as the affordable minivan model for the brand. Its optional SafetyTec package adds pedestrian detection to the autonomous emergency braking system as well as enhanced forward collision warning. A new Ocean Blue paint colour has been added as well. Like the non-hybrid Pacifica, the Voyager features a 3.6L V6 good for 287 horsepower, matched to a front-wheel drivetrain only.
In Canada, the price-leading minivan isn’t called the Pacifica, but the Chrysler Grand Caravan, as FCA views the ex-Dodge nameplate as having strong brand recognition in the northern country. It’s essentially very similar to the Voyager, available in two trim levels and powered by a 287-hp 3.6L V6. The Grand Caravan gets the same improvements to its SafetyTec package than the Voyager.
The Chrysler 300 seems forgotten in time, soldiering on for the 2021 model year with a simplified lineup consisting of Touring, Touring L and 300S trims. The two upper variants get standard front and rear park assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, while the 300S now includes the Red S Appearance package that rounds up a gloss black grille, black badging, a red insert on the Chrysler winged logo and black 20-inch alloy wheels. The two top trims also get option package reshuffling as well. The 300 is equipped with a 3.6L V6 developing 292 horsepower, matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission and either RWD or AWD. The rear-drive-only 300S serves up 300 horsepower, but the V6 can still be swapped for the 5.7L HEMI V8 that belts out 363 horsepower.
