What does it have going for it? Gorgeous styling, superb road manners and over-the-top functionality. It's relatively big for the crossover segment of the market, slightly wider than the Town & Country minivan albeit just a little less than two inches shorter. It towers over its LH sedan siblings but doesn't quite measure up height-wise to the funky PT Cruiser.

Why does size matter? Capacity of course. The Pacifica can load a sizable amount of gear when the 50/50 split third row is folded flat and still fit four occupants in absolute comfort. The middle seats are limousine-like buckets, complete with their very own center console and DVD entertainment - a requisite option in this day and age. Those in the front are pampered too, with ample leg and headroom and more elbow space than any vehicle I can remember testing.

Flipping the rear seats up can be difficult if on the short side, as it's a fair reach to the pop-out handles attached to the top corners of the seatbacks. I had no problems but a 5'2" grandma might, ruling out my dear mom. Still the vehicles referred to in this review are pre-production therefore it is possible Chrysler will be addressing this problem before the cars hit dealer showrooms. Once the seatbacks are upright there's room for two more, but keep in mind the third row isn't designed for adults over the long haul. I'm a mere 5'8" and my head hits the roof if I try to sit upright in the rearmost seat. For short trips mind you, it beats the rain.