Chrysler Celebrates 40 Years Of The Minivan

Wow does time fly. Can you believe it's been 40 years since the minivan first hit the road! Chrysler, the automaker who invented the segment, is celebrating those 40 years as it begins production of the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid. 

The first minivan — a Plymouth Voyager — rolled off the line at Windsor Assembly on November 2, 1983, as a 1984 model, the first of more than 15 million Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler) minivans sold.

Of course the minivan has come a long way within 40 years. Over the past four decades, Chrysler's introduced a number of innovations for its minivans, 117 to be exact. They include a Stow 'n Go seating and storage system, Uconnect Theater, dual hands-free sliding doors, and of course the first electrified minivan powertrain. 

"For 40 years, Stellantis minivans have been along for the ride helping families and road-trippers create a lifetime of unforgettable moments," said Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO – Stellantis. "Many of today's consumers first experienced the road in a Chrysler minivan, and we're proud that four decades later, a new generation is making their own memories in a Chrysler Pacifica or Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid. As the Chrysler brand moves forward to an all-electric portfolio in 2028, the minivan will continue to play an important role in our vehicle lineup.

Chrysler recently celebrated production of 100,000th Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, the only plug-in hybrid in the segment. The automaker says it qualifies for the full $7,500 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax incentive.

2024 Pacifica Updates

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Limited S. CreditL Stellantis.

The 2024 Pacifica lineup gets a few updates including new Sepia interior color for premium Pacifica Pinnacle. There are also two new exterior colors, Red Hot and Baltic Gray, available for 2024 model year.

Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid lineup offers two models for 2024, Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid Select and Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid Pinnacle.

Popular S Appearance, Premium S Appearance and Road Tripper Package content is optional on Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid Select model.

A new Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS) feature of the Uconnect 5 platform provides drivers with cluster and touchscreen in-vehicle notifications of an active fire truck, ambulance or other nearby roadway hazards.

And don't forget, the Pacifica offers all-wheel drive capability.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid will begin arriving at CarPro dealerships in October.  

Stellantis Minivan Milestones

• 15 millionth Stellantis minivan sold in November 2019
• Current version of the Chrysler Pacifica/Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid represents the sixth generation of the modern minivan
• One out of every three Chrysler Pacifica models sold features the popular S Appearance Package
• Chrysler Pacifica has earned more than 175 honors and industry accolades, making it the most awarded minivan over the last seven years
• Company has innovated 117 minivan firsts
• First minivan to offer integrated child seat (1992)
• First minivan with Stow 'n Go seating and storage system (2004)
• First minivan to offer dual rear seat video system able to play different media at same time (2007)
• First electrified minivan with the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid (2017)
• Production of Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid began on December 1, 2016, as a 2017 model
• Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid is the only minivan eligible for a full $7,500 federal tax credit
• First minivan with USB type C (2021)
• First minivan with Amazon Fire TV (2022)

Photo:  Stellantis.