I see the case for the "go everywhere family vehicle" to have AWD, definitely makes sense. But just by the very statement then you need a vehicle that has slightly more capability. A slightly raised, transverse drive-train platform crossover SUV is a comparable choice. And it should have a button to lock the AWD in low speeds, if you are arguing capability.
The factory tires were complete trash for capability. My wife loved the car during a test drive, but hated it after her first real day using it. She was driving a grand cherokee, and got used to launching it off the line every time she hit the gas. So here she is spinning tires pulling out of stores. (no need to comment on her driving, I know, she knows, she doesn't agree) So first rain, and here she is spinning tires. Forget snow, she wouldn't even try it. Meanwhile, I was comfortable taking trips to our place in the catskills with snowy back roads. I will say I got stuck once. I backed into a unplowed driveway to unload the van. Slight down hill, stock tires, and that little bit of snow touched bottom when the fronts spun trying to pull out. I don't fault the van for that one. Had I pulled in, would have been fine. Had my current tires, probably been better.
I bought SRT replica wheels, and some Continental DWS high performance All-season tires, and what a phenomenal difference. Only spin in rain coming out of parking lots, and its minor. I can punch it and get aggressive in turns without spinning up the inside tire. She loves it, can really use the power in the dry, and can drive however she feels comfortable. For Long Island snow, and the occasional trip to catskills, works great.
So not to argue peoples preference, people are going to like what they like. There is next to no height under these vans. so all we are really talking about is pure grip of tires to ground, you are not going to power through any deep snow or anything like that. It will high center immediately, and dig 4 neat little holes. And also this is only grip when applying power, during every other event, a RWD, FWD, AWD will stop and steer the same. There are a very small amount of people that truly benefit from the combination of features in a Pacifica AWD. Doesn't mean you can't like to have every feature
. (thats the whole point of a car market, buy what you like) As far as a necessity or realized value, if you truly need your low clearance minivan to have AWD, then you would likely benefit more from a Chevy Traverse, or realistically better tires and practice. Adding a complexity and cost of an AWD system to an economical people/volume mover seems counter intuitive to me. But sounds like they are going to sell tons of them.
I have had similar discussions with friends and family about their "must have" pick up truck as well. They don't like when you compare costs and realized value most of them would benefit from a minivan, not their 70k pickup truck. Or even better a Chevy Traverse
. Actually one friend could have bought a minivan for daily use and used pick-up for the couple things he needed the capability for, for the price he paid for his "really need" truck. Hey do what you want, just don't try to justify it on a value, or necessity basis. Just say you really like it, and I'm willing to pay for it.
Side note, I added a hitch to my pacifica, and now can tow my 4x8 utility trailer(aka, my pick up truck). Can load more than my buddy's pick up truck. I love towing my ATV's and going to the same dirt roads, and fields he goes with his truck, with the Pacifica. He knows I have a grand cherokee as well, but take the van just to annoy him.
-tratpop
