Who says you have to be a soccer mom to drive a minivan – and only then on well-paved roads? The new Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept is designed to demonstrate how a “people-mover” can be part of a much more adventurous lifestyle once you get past where the pavement ends. Headlight.News checks it out.
The Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept is meant to show that the minivan is more than just a soccer mom-mobile.
Of all the different types of vehicles now on the road, minivans may be constrained within the narrowest confines, perceived as little more than a soccer mom-mobile. But the new Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept is meant to challenge assumptions – providing a roomy and capable way to head out on off-road adventures.
Pulled together for this weekend’s Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado, the customized minivan takes advantage of its spacious interior and all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid drivetrain, while getting a lifted suspension and adding features like a heavy-duty roof rack, off-road lighting and a retractable awning.
“We’ve been following van life for years, and we know adventurers really value the versatility the Pacifica delivers,” said Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO. The updates, she added are meant to use “this Pacifica Grizzly Peak concept as a test bed. We’re excited to get feedback from the van-life adventurers.”
What’s new
The suspension of the Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept has been raised by more than 2 inches.
The Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept started out as a conventional Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid – a slightly misleading name as it’s actually a plug-in hybrid, with a midsize battery pack capable of delivering up to 32 miles of range in all-electric mode. (The combined gas and electric range comes in at an EPA-rated 520 miles.)
The Chrysler design team made a handful of direct modifications to the van itself, raising the suspension by 2.75 inches up front and 2.5 inches in the rear. They also replaced the third-row seats with a large cargo floor panel, opening up space for storage or sleeping.
The Pacifica then received an extensive array of aftermarket-accessories to transform it into what the automaker dubbed the “ultimate adventure minivan.”
Exterior updates
Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept gets an array of off-road accessories, including this rugged roof rack.
The list of exterior modifications is extensive and includes:
- Arktos matte-finish paint color with Foreshadow accents
- Off-road 31-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires mounted on 18-inch Foreshadow wheels
- Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform roof storage rack
- Roof-mounted auxiliary TYRI LED lighting
- Roof-mounted ARB retractable awning
- Paint protective wrap on lower-body panels
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Interior updates
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By removing the third row – replacing it with a custom cargo cover – the cabin provides room for sleeping.
A concept cargo floor
- A 115-volt, 450-watt accessory outlet in the rear
- Katzkin leather seating
- All-weather flooring mats
- Unique Cement Gray color scheme with Liquid Titanium accents and orange seatbelts
There are no plans to put the Grizzly Peak Concept into production but it is meant to suggest what overlanders could do to take the Pacifica and update it for more exotic adventurers. Chrysler officials have long argued that their minivan can be used for more than just running family errands.
The show car could be the last one we see off the current Pacifica line, however. As it marks its centennial, the automaker is getting ready to start rolling out an entirely new family of products picking up on the design cues of the Halcyon concept first shown in February 2024. The first of these will debut in 2027 and will be based off the new STLA Large platform developed by parent Stellantis.
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