Chrysler Was Down to One Minivan. Now It's Launching the Most Radical Comeback in Years.

Yahoo

21-06-2025

Here's what you'll learn reading this story.
Chrysler is looking to completely rethink its approach, with a focus on the year 2030 and beyond.
In the minivan class, the brand currently only one vehicle—the Pacifica minivan.
It's looking to add two new vehicles (a sedan and SUV) to its lineup, inspired by its recent Halcyon concept car.
Ralph Gilles, Stellantis' chief of design, has stated that Chrysler is ready for a complete rethink. And that's no surprise, considering the brand currently only sells one vehicle—the Pacifica minivan. Like many, the brand is targeting an all-electric future with a design philosophy of shock and awe.
Things used to be quite different for Chrysler. The American automaker was not only largely responsible for popularizing the minivan, but for just making damn good automobiles. Its once-great reputation, however, was tarnished over the years by quality control issues, poor management decisions, and a failure to adapt to market demands.
But not all is lost.
Chrysler has recently established its own design studio, which could be a significant development for the brand's future. However, unlike many legacy automakers that are bringing back new versions of hit classics, Chrysler wants to bring exclusively new ideas to the table.
Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell revealed that the brand is working on both a new sedan and a new SUV. And that's great news, given that these new products are said to be influenced by the brand's Halcyon concept car. Many outlets are hinting that this could mark the return of Chrysler's 300 sedan, but only time will tell.
Looking at the Halcyon concept, it's really no surprise to hear The Drive report that the brand's chief of design is pushing a design philosophy that maximizes aerodynamics and efficiency. Gilles wants people to fall in love with low cars again, and claims that Chrysler's next generation will prioritize both aerodynamics and functionality.
While we still know very little about Chrysler's new products, we do know some details about the future of the Pacifica. The brand's famed minivan won't receive any Halcyon design DNA, but will feature a redesigned exterior for 2026. Under the hood, it will receive an improved hybrid system, and Chrysler plans to offer an all-electric Pacifica before 2030. Last but not least, Chrysler will continue to offer its minivan with the same 3.6-liter V6 engine until the end of the decade. Color us not surprised.
Minivans often catch a lot of flak for being uncool, but we should note that Chrysler's Pacifica has actual street cred. Its launch in 2016—replacing the Town and Country—brought some genuinely interesting design to the table. For instance, it was super aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of just.30 Cd. At the time, that would have made it slip through the air more efficiently than a McLaren F1—one of the fastest production cars in the world. It also featured a built-in vacuum, plenty of power outlets and USB ports, push-button van doors, and a third-row sunroof.
Other brands like Volkswagen have brought back design cues from their uber-successful back catalogs. Take the ID. Buzz,for example, which brings back the iconic styling from the original Type 2 Microbus (affectionately known as the VW Bus). However, the new Bus is actually struggling to sell, likely because it's simply too expensive. That means the new (or refreshed) Pacifica could potentially be the adrenaline shot that the brand needs to stay alive—if it's priced well and looks good, that is.
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