A number of
automakers are adding all-wheel drive to their sedans to counter the
increasingly popularity of crossovers and it appears the Chrysler Pacifica
minivan may follow suit. Citing Dino Chiodo, the national auto director for
Canada’s Unifor union, Automotive News is reporting Chrysler is considering an
all-wheel drive Pacifica. The publication also spoke to analyst Joe McCabe who
believes the all-wheel drive minivan will go into production during the second
quarter of 2020.
While the news
remains unconfirmed, all-wheel drive could help to boost the Pacifica’s
popularity in colder climates where snow and ice are a fact of life. It could
also help to sway some consumers away from purchasing a crossover.
The idea of an
all-wheel drive minivan sounds like a no-brainer, but there’s only one on the
market. We’re of course talking about Toyota which offers all-wheel drive as a Us$ 2,540 option on the Sienna. The system isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s hugely
popular in Canada where 58 percent of Sienna minivans are equipped with
all-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive Pacifica would not only help to battle the
Sienna in Canada, but in other markets as well.
Chrysler had
previously considered an all-wheel drive Pacifica, but the company couldn’t make
a business case for it. It remains unclear if one can be made now and it’s
possible that all-wheel drive variants could have to forgo the popular Stow ’n
Go seats which fold into the floor when not needed.
