2017 Pacifica is first hybrid minivan, rides on all-new FCA platform

Despite the popularity of SUVs and CUVs, nothing beats a minivan for its combination of interior flexibility, ingress/ egress, passenger comfort, cargo hauling and, in some cases, fuel efficiency. While the segment isn't as large as it was in 2000, when sales peaked at 1.37 million deliveries in North America, about 500,000 minivans are still sold annually-ample profit-spinning volume that analysts expect will be sustained through at least 2020.

As millions of customers would likely attest, the minivan is “still the best transportation ‘tool’ for families,” observed Tim Kuniskis, head of FCA's passenger car brands, when he pulled the cover off Chrysler's 2017 Pacifica-the company's sixth generation minivan. It was shown to Automotive Engineering and other media on embargo prior to the car's official debut January 11 at the 2016 North American International Auto Show.