FCA Celebrates 35 Years Of Minivans With Pacifica And Grand Caravan Special Editions

Minivans aren’t nearly as popular as they used to be, but that isn’t stopping Fiat Chrysler Automobiles from marking their 35th anniversary with two new special editions.

Set to debut at the Chicago Auto Show, the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica / Pacifica Hybrid and Dodge Grand Caravan gain 35th Anniversary Edition packages which pay tribute to the original minivan which was created by the automaker for the 1984 model year.

The 35th Anniversary Edition package will be available on the Pacifica Touring L, Touring L Plus and Limited with either a gas or hybrid powertrain. Each features a liquid chrome Chrysler badge with a gloss black insert. The minivans also have a black interior with perforated leather seats featuring cranberry wine accent stitching. Other highlights include 35th anniversary floor mats and cranberry wine instrument panel bezels.

Besides the minor styling changes, the minivans gain additional equipment. The Pacifica Touring L receives eight-passenger seating, a driver’s seat memory function, an overhead DVD player and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Touring L Plus gains a dual-pane sunroof, while the Limited gets 20-inch wheels.

The 35th Anniversary Pacifica Hybrid is slightly different as the Touring L comes equipped with 17-inch wheels and the Premium Audio Group which includes a 13-speaker Alpine premium audio system as well as an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with GPS navigation.. The Hybrid Limited simply gains 18-inch wheels.

The aging Dodge Grand Caravan isn’t missing out on the fun as it gains a 35th Anniversary Edition on SE and SXT variants. Both have a black interior with cranberry wine accent stitching, piano black trim and special floor mats.

Equipment upgrades on the SE include a power driver’s seat and second-row Stow ‘N Go seats. The changes to the SXT are more extensive as the model gains GPS navigation and the Driver Convenience Group which includes a heated steering wheel, heated front seats and second-row sun shades.

The special editions will go up for order this spring and the first deliveries will begin in the summer.

While consumers continue to flock to crossovers, FCA is the undisputed leader of minivans. The company controlled 55 percent of the minivan segment in the United States last year and has sold over 14.6 million minivans globally since 1983. That’s nearly twice as many minivans as its nearest competitor.