Chrysler Pacifica Passes Crash-Test Muster
CARS.COM — The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica continued to rack up crashworthiness credentials as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration granted the all-new minivan a five-star overall rating — NHTSA’s highest honor. The Pacifica, which replaced the Town & Country for the 2017 model year, already earned a Top Safety Pick Plus designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Related: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Aces Crash Tests
The minivan earned the highest possible rating in each of NHTSA’s crash tests, including frontal collision, side-impact simulating a two-vehicle collision and side-impact simulating a single-vehicle collision with a pole. In IIHS testing, the Pacifica earned the necessary rating of good in all five crash tests — including side, moderate overlap front, small overlap front, roof strength and head restraint evaluations — as well as a superior rating for its frontal crash mitigation system.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said it conducted more than 8,500 simulated crashes and 80 full impacts, leading to the development of a body structure using a dozen different steel grades while enabling the vehicle to shed 250 pounds compared with the Town & Country. High-strength steel, the automaker said, accounts for nearly three-quarters of the minivan’s structure while more than a third is advanced high-strength steel.
