2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Pacifica 35th Anniversary Edition

A Minivan Legend In True Sense

FCA practically launched the minivan segment and has been a pioneer in the market for the last three-and-a-half decades. Although the Pacifica has been there for ’just’ 20 years, the Dodge Caravan has been alive and kicking for the last 35 years. Chrysler’s sub-brand, Plymouth, also came up with a minivan called Voyager at the same time, but it disappeared into oblivion at the mark of the millennium.

To give credit where it's due, the first-ever minivan in the history was the GM Corvair Greenbrier, launched way back in 1960.

But it never took off and was rubbed off as quickly as it came. However, Chrysler hit the right chords and struck gold with the Voyager and Caravan. Since then, the company has sold more than 14.6 million minivans and is still going strong with a 55-percent market share in the minivan segment.

What Makes The 35th Anniversary Edition Special?

Fast forward to 2019, and Chrysler decided to commemorate this milestone with the launch of the Special 35th Anniversary Edition Models of the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid. The 35th Anniversary editions feature new badging, a Liquid Chrome Chrysler Wing badge, and an all-black interior with Cranberry Wine accent stitching and upgraded content in terms of technology. The 35th Anniversary editions can be clubbed with the S Appearance package to make it look sportier with the gloss black inserts on the front fascia grille and rear tailgate.

On the inside, the Pacifica receives:

• An all-black interior with Cranberry Wine accent stitching
• McKinley and Nappa leather perforated seats, steering wheel, door trim
• 35th Anniversary embroidered logo on the front floor mats.
• Memory driver’s seat
• Mopar overhead DVD
• 18-inch and 20-inch wheels
• Dual-pane sunroof

Coming to the Dodge Grand Caravan 35th Anniversary Edition, it includes 17-inch tech silver aluminum wheels, 35th Anniversary fender badge, and a Bright grille.

On the inside, an all-black interior featuring Cranberry Wine accent stitching on the seats, steering wheel and door trim, a Piano Black console and 35th Anniversary embroidered logo on the front floor mats.

Other features include:

• Stow ‘N’ Go second-row bucket seats
• Power driver’s seat
• Navigation radio
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel

Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Cars, FCA North America, said, “We created the minivan segment, we’re proud of our place in it, and we will continue to innovate like we’ve done with the first hybrid minivan, industry-exclusive Stow ‘n Go seating, Uconnect Theater with 10-inch touchscreens in the second row and much more. More than 14.6 million families have created lasting memories in their minivans throughout the past 35 years, through home projects, road trips, soccer practice, you name it. There is no better way to commemorate the anniversary of the people mover that does it all, than by introducing an edition that offers even more value to today’s families.”

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica is not exactly a looker, but come on, which minivan is? The good thing about the Pacifica is that is well-equipped right from the entry-level trim.

What's considered as a bane in MPVs is actually a boon in the Pacifica - the ride, handling, and performance.

It comes packed with a 3.6-liter, V-6 unit that develops 287 horses and 262 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a nine-speed transmission system. However, the Pacifica comes only with front-wheel-drive orientation. This greatly reduces the ’pull’ and is a big issue for people who tend to haul a lot of people and luggage on long drives.

On the inside, the Pacifica is very spacious, thanks to the 121-inch wheelbase. For the tech-heads, the Pacifica comes loaded with features to the brim. It offers a 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear-view camera, parking sensors, third-row USB ports, and cooled front seats, to name a few. On the top-end, it boasts features like 20-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, etc. No wonder the Pacifica is the market leader for generations now!

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica is available in 10 exterior colors:

• Billet Silver Metallic
• Brilliant Black
• Bright White
• Dark Cordovan
• Granite Crystal Metallic
• Jazz Blue
• Luxury White
• Maximum Steel
• Ocean Blue Metallic
• Velvet Red

2019 Chrysler Pacifica specifications

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The Pacifica Hybrid is the only plug-in hybrid minivan on sale currently. It is the same as the standard Pacifica, except for the drivetrain.

The fuel-efficient hybrid can run for 33 miles on pure electric mode as well. It features a different version of the 3.6-liter, V-6 engine.

This one is tuned to an ultra-efficient Atkinson cycle and is paired to a couple of motor generators that replaces the automatic transmission system altogether. It also features a 16 kWh battery pack placed in the ahead of the rear seats which helps the Pacifica Hybrid attain a combined mileage of 32 miles per gallon; an increase of 10 mpg when compared to the standard Pacifica. The Pacifica Hybrid comes in only one trim - Limited - which is the top-of-the-line variant. It is priced at $45,500, just $1,100 more than the Limited trim in the standard Pacifica.

2019 Dodge Grand Caravan

Speaking of the 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, this beast is a reminder that Dodge should only focus on muscle cars and not minivans. It is not as impressive as its cousin, the Pacifica, and comes barebone in the entry-level trim. Add the optional equipment, and you’ll cough up enough money to make you feel that opting for the Dodge Grand Caravan was not a wise choice.

It comes powered with the FCA's stalwart - the 3.6-liter, V-6 engine that packs 283 horses and 260 pound-feet of torque.

On the inside, you get a spacious interior and features like a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 17-inch wheels. The top-trim comes with a 9.0-inch touchscreen system, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, etc.

The 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan is available in six exterior colors:

• Billet Silver Metallic
• Black Onyx
• Granite Crystal
• IndiGo Blue
• Octane Red
• White Knuckle

2019 Dodge Grand Caravan specifications

Final Thoughts

The 35th Anniversary Editions of the Dodge and Chrysler twins are not a celebration like the MX-5 was. But you can’t really complain; this is the minivan segment after all. However, if FCA would have worked more on the 35th Anniversary Editions instead of this namesake new trim, the minivans would have seen a rise in the sales-spike. But as of now, we really don’t think the Anniversary Editions will sell well. What are your thoughts on the 35th Anniversary Editions of the minivans? Let us know in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica.

Read our full driven review on the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

Read our full review on the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan.