A number of automakers are adding all-wheel drive to their sedans to counter the increasingly popularity of crossovers and it appears the Chrysler Pacifica minivan may follow suit.
Citing Dino Chiodo, the national auto director for Canada’s Unifor union, Automotive News is reporting Chrysler is considering an all-wheel drive Pacifica. The publication also spoke to analyst Joe McCabe who believes the all-wheel drive minivan will go into production during the second quarter of 2020.
While the news remains unconfirmed, all-wheel drive could help to boost the Pacifica’s popularity in colder climates where snow and ice are a fact of life. It could also help to sway some consumers away from purchasing a crossover.
The idea of an all-wheel drive minivan sounds like a no-brainer, but there’s only one on the market. We’re of course talking about Toyota which offers all-wheel drive as a $2,540 option on the Sienna.
The system isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s hugely popular in Canada where 58 percent of Sienna minivans are equipped with all-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive Pacifica would not only help to battle the Sienna in Canada, but in other markets as well.
Chrysler had previously considered an all-wheel drive Pacifica, but the company couldn’t make a business case for it. It remains unclear if one can be made now and it’s possible that all-wheel drive variants could have to forgo the popular Stow ’n Go seats which fold into the floor when not needed.
