[CenTexas]

We've found that no other NEW mini-van on the market compares to the Pacifica "stow and go" system (at least on the non-hybrid model). Thought I would post our observation here for others:

2017 Chrysler Pacifica - 2nd and 3rd row seats literally fold into the floor, giving you a huge, fairly flat and level area for hauling. You can lay an entire sheet of plywood (4'x8') back there!

2016 Nissan Quest - offers the next best option to the Pacifica, but seats do not fold into the floor. But they do fold forward and flatten out, creating a "raised" floor.

2016 Kia Sedona - offers two options for 2nd row. The standard option has a 3rd row seat back that folds into the floor, but the 2nd row seats "kneel" behind the 1st row seats. You lose about a foot of depth in the storage area since the seats cannot be removed. And if you get the upgraded "recliners" for the 2nd row, you lose another 10" of rear-loading depth since they do not kneel.

2016 Honday Odyssey - 3rd row folds flat, but 2nd row seats must be unlatched and physically removed from the van (we had this on a 2001 Quest and it is a pain - heavy to move and must store them somewhere, too)

2016 Toyota Sienna - rats! I forgot the details. Can someone help complete this list? I know they dont' go flat like the Pacifica (the only new van out there that does at this time (even though our 2008 Quest goes flat.

 

[cue003]

The Toyota is 2nd row seats need to be removed. The 8th seat can be store out of the way in the back of the van when not needed but the outboard seats need to be removed. 3rd row folds into the floor.

 

[ezdays]

There's no comparison, we owned a 2007 Mountaineer with third row seats. They were motor-driven, fit fairly flat (not as much as our T&C or Pacifica), and we kept them that way most of the time. Unfortunately, the one time that we needed them (picking up our son and his family), a gear in the motor broke and there was no way to bring up the one seat, even manually. It took almost a full day to replace the motor and drive assembly (around $220 on line), all for a cheap plastic gear that didn't last more than around 10 uses.

 

[azcreeker]

I think the qwest is based off a Suv plateform and has higher step in

 

[johnheiam]

I just checked the Toyota Sienna. The 2nd row seat slides forward to touch the back of the the front seat, and kind of tips up. It takes up about 2 ft of space. It is not nearly as good as the Sedona in this respect.

 

[migs]

Yes in my opinion the Pacifica 2nd row seat design is the best in the industry for the convenience aspect.
However, this particular design raises the load floor slightly and takes away from the valuable TOTAL interior passenger volume compared to the competition, despite Pacifica having the largest exterior dimensions of any minivan.


Total Interior Passenger Volume
Sienna 164 cubic ft
Pacifica 165 cubic ft
Odyssey 170 cubic ft
Sedona 172 cubic ft
Quest 178 cubic ft
*source cars.com


these figures do not include the specs for the incoming redesigned 2018 Odyssey and Sienna that may or may not have more space

 

[cue003]

Migs, good point on the height of the interior space. That is where the Pacifica loses out is in overall cubic numbers. Just because a vehicle has a larger number doesn't mean it will necessarily carry the specific object you have in mind. Volume is L*W*H and you got to think about all three and also how large is the actual opening to get your object into the van.

 

[soontobe]

Also the second row seats don't have seat back pockets.

 

[MrPerception]

I currently own an Odyssey and have never had a need to take out the second row, so being able to stow that row has never really been a consideration for my needs. I do however like the idea of having the extra storage in the floor and would probably use that for long trips if I decided to purchase the Pacifica sometime in the future. I always hated the compromise in seat design to make that second row be able to fold into the floor, but am thoroughly impressed with the design of the new seats. Still not quite as comfortable as my current vehicle, but a huge improvement. It's the kind of compromise I could easily live with.

 

[migs]

Regarding the total passenger interior volume 165 cubic feet for the Pacifica a few posts above, I'm not sure if those specs that I got from cars.com include the available storage space in the second row stow and go.
Anyone have any idea if Chrysler lists the total volume of the stow and go cavities of the second row?

 

[mattlreese]

I used the stow and go feature the first weekend I bought the van. Doing a bunch of remodeling in my house. Took two trips to the dump and then a big trip to home depot. Sure I could have taken the 2nd row out, but the stow option is so easy.

As a dude I was pretty much sold on getting a van because I can turn it into a truck. I have not yet put a full 4x8 sheet of plywood in it, but I have put full size doors in there.

 

[kentfield1951]

I use the stow and go all the time, as it makes putting a road bicycle easy to take without removing the front wheel. I also use the seat bucket for storage of camera equipment below the floor cover, to remove it from view when parked in city crime areas or landscape shoots where break ins are common.

 

[Bond007]

I use the stow and go all the time, as it makes putting a road bicycle easy to take without removing the front wheel. I also use the seat bucket for storage of camera equipment below the floor cover, to remove it from view when parked in city crime areas or landscape shoots where break ins are common.

Those are great points for me to consider. Thanks for your input.