NAIAS - Automotive experts select the Chrysler Pacifica as the 2017 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.

• Panel of esteemed automotive experts select the Chrysler Pacifica as the 2017 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year
• 2017 marks only the second time a minivan has won the award, with FCA US minivans also receiving the honor in 1996
• The all-new Chrysler Pacifica, the most awarded minivan of 2016, reinvents the minivan segment with an unprecedented level of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling

The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica has been named the 2017 North American Utility of the Year by a panel of automotive experts. The award is unique and considered by many to be one of the world’s most prestigious based on its diverse mix of automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada who serve as the voting jurors.

The winners were announced at a news conference today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“When we first introduced the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica just one year ago, we believed that we had created the perfect formula for today’s busy families,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA - North America. 

"But it’s the recognition from our customers and respected opinion leaders like the NACTOY jury that helps to reinforce Pacifica’s status in the marketplace as the no-compromises minivan, and highlights what a great job the entire team has done in developing, building and selling the all-new Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid.”

This is the 24th year of the awards. FCA US LLC minivans won North American Car of the Year honors in 1996 – the only other time any minivan has won an award from the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) jury.

As the original creator of the minivan more than 30 years ago, FCA US has transformed the segment with firsts – notching 78 innovations through the first five minivan generations. With the introduction of the all-new Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid, FCA US adds 37 minivan firsts to its portfolio for an unprecedented total of 115 innovations in the segment, including the industry’s first minivan available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica reinvents the minivan segment with an unprecedented level of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling. Re-engineered from the ground up on an all-new platform, the Pacifica delivers class-leading gasoline and hybrid powertrains to the minivan segment. With more than 100 available safety and security features, the all-new Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system, and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica is a no-compromises minivan ideally suited for today's families and has earned its spot as the most awarded minivan of 2016.

The Pacifica Hybrid takes this revolutionary vehicle a step further with its class-exclusive, innovative advanced and class-exclusive hybrid powertrain. It’s the first electrified vehicle in the minivan segment and achieves 84 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode and 33 miles of all-electric range

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Uconnect Access App Provides Remote Access to Pacifica Hybrid’s Charge Status.

Uconnect Access App Provides Remote Access to Pacifica Hybrid’s Charge Status and Charging Schedule

• Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offers a wide variety of high-tech features to make it easy for owners to take full advantage of the vehicle’s innovative, efficient hybrid powertrain system
• Hybrid Electric Pages deliver helpful information and access to charge schedules via the Uconnect 8.4 system’s 8.4-inch touchscreen
• Pacifica Hybrid’s Uconnect Access smartphone app gives customers remote access to the vehicle’s state of charge, charge status updates, the ability to schedule charging and charging station locations
• Customizable 7-inch color thin-film transistor (TFT) cluster display with unique Pacifica Hybrid screens provides important information, including an “efficiency coach” to promote efficient driving

The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid – the industry’s first electrified minivan – is rated to deliver a range of 33 miles solely on zero-emissions electric power from a 16-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery and earned a fuel economy rating of 84 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe), based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. 

But Pacifica Hybrid’s technological capability goes well beyond the powertrain.

“To make sure owners and their families get the most out of the innovative, efficient hybrid powertrain, the all-new Pacifica is loaded with high-tech features that make it easy to connect, charge and maximize the efficiency of their minivan, even remotely from their smartphones,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA – North America. 

“Whether it’s scheduling the Pacifica Hybrid’s charge times, locating nearby charging stations, remotely checking the vehicle’s charge status or maximizing efficiency while driving, the Pacifica Hybrid’s advanced technologies let owners easily connect with the vehicle whenever and wherever best suits their schedule.”

Hybrid Electric Pages

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid comes standard with the Uconnect 8.4 system, which includes an 8.4-inch touchscreen, available Uconnect Navigation and Uconnect Access connected services. 

In addition, the Pacifica Hybrid includes as standard equipment on all models the all-new Hybrid Electric Pages, providing owners with helpful vehicle information. The Hybrid Electric Pages include:

• Power Flow: Provides a dynamic illustration showing how/where power is flowing within the vehicle, from battery to the engine, the wheels or the HVAC system, or from regenerative braking back to the battery
• Driving History: Displays a chart showing distance driven in electric mode and hybrid mode, graphed by day
• Charge Scheduling: Allows owners to schedule the Pacifica Hybrid’s charging times (making the most of off-peak charging rates) and provides an option to override set times to charge immediately 

Uconnect Access App

The Uconnect Access app for the Pacifica Hybrid delivers remote access to the vehicle’s sophisticated technology, enabling customers to get the most from their ownership experience and making life simpler along the way. 

With the click of the app on their smartphone, owners can check the state of charge of their vehicle’s battery, along with vehicle range and estimated time to full recharge. They can also get charge status updates, see if their Pacifica Hybrid is plugged in and also schedule when they want it to charge. 

The Uconnect Access app can display the locations of charging stations and their availability, in real time. 

As with the Uconnect Access app for other FCA US LLC vehicles, the smartphone app for the Pacifica Hybrid also allows customers to remotely lock and unlock the vehicle, remotely start the vehicle, send destinations to the Uconnect navigation with Send ‘n Go and more.

The Uconnect Access App is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Hybrid-specific cluster display

The Pacifica Hybrid’s 7-inch color thin-film transistor (TFT) instrument cluster is unique to the hybrid model, delivering important information at a glance for the driver. 

The customizable cluster’s display changes color to indicate whether the Pacifica is operating in electric mode (teal) or hybrid mode (blue), while both the battery level and fuel level are always displayed. 

The Pacifica Hybrid’s total range (combining both battery and fuel) is also displayed.

One of the available displays is an “efficiency coach,” which guides owners to drive more efficiently and maximize the time spent in battery mode. 

The efficiency coach directs the driver on how to modulate the throttle in order to optimize energy consumption while accelerating, and provides guidance on braking in order to take full advantage of the regenerative braking that charges the battery.