[mjoshi]

Little bit of background, I've been driving Odyssey for 10 years without any lane assist or backup camera or any of this bells and whistles with regards to safety, My Acura have backup camera but nothing else.
So people who have purchased their van with Safteytec Group package, What do you think about it ? Was $995 spent extra was worth it or you think its more gimmick rather than useful of the system ?

 

[Pappa60]

My two cents. Worth it just for the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

The 360° camera is cool and helps once you start to look at the "top" view more (instead of just concentrating on rear view that's also shown at same time, old habits).

Lane keeping helps on interstate drives (don't use on urban roads)

"Auto park" cost me $3,600 in repairs (wife attempted to auto parallel park, van jumped curve, hit light post, she forgot "she" controlled the speed), in her defense she never used it before or since!

Active braking (frontal) seems to work great, rear auto brake didn't work w/ light post though (maybe she was going over 7MPH?) but worked to stop me hitting a pole once.

BLIS works great! Auto high beams and auto wipers work great too!

Oh, did I mention I love the ACC? It being able to completely stop and start the vehicle while engaged works good too.

Hope this helps!

 

[mjoshi]

Thank you, that was good insight.

 

[CentralFla]

The Safetytec Group package is standard starting with the Touring-L, which I have. I've had this feature on my last three vans, and to me this is one of the best items offered. I personally wouldn't want a vehicle without it, it's that good. Not only does it alert you to vehicles in your blind spot (illuminated alert, or illuminated/audio alert when turn signal activated), but also cross path detection when backing out of a parking spot or even your driveway, as well as back-up sensors. So I'd say to you, you won't regret it and like 'power steering' you'll never want to be without it.

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[mick0212]

Little bit of background, I've been driving Odyssey for 10 years without any lane assist or backup camera or any of this bells and whistles with regards to safety, My Acura have backup camera but nothing else.
So people who have purchased their van with Safteytec Group package, What do you think about it ? Was $995 spent extra was worth it or you think its more gimmick rather than useful of the system ?

In typical Chrysler fashion there are two different packages - the SafetyTec Group ($995) and the Advanced SafetyTec Group ($1995 iirc). The Advanced package is the one with adaptive cruise control and a number of the other features. As far as I know it's only available on the Limited and Touring L Plus (and hybrid).

Personally I'd be just fine without the SafetyTec package, but I do covet that ACC, so if the Advanced SafetyTec package was available on the lower trims I'd bite the bullet and pay the money.

 

[Bluesfox]

Pappa60 nailed it. All of the features are A+ for our family, except that the auto park is a gimmick. No desire to use the auto park. But easily ignore the feature.

The ACC (game changer), lane assist, blind spot, auto beam lights (unexpectedly really cool), 360 cameras, driveway sensors when reversing and auto wipers are all well implemented. Don't remember the price, but would be willing to pay 1.5x based on daily utility.

 

[PacificaJohn]

If you love yourself and your family, spend the $1995.

 

[dmg2010]

SafetyTec is 995, Advanced SafetyTec is 1995.

 

[Norbert]

Totally worth it. You can't put a price on safety. I bet in a few years all of these optional safety features will be standard on all cars, like airbags and ABS.

 

[BrettP]

I recommend getting SafetyTec and Advanced SafetyTec BEFORE even considering Uconnect Theater, Wheel upgrades, etc.. The park assist is a gimmick as stated previously but the rest of the features seem very well implemented to me.

 

[tsax6010]

The Advanced SafetyTec was more than worth the money in my mind. Adaptive Cruise Control is the bees knees.

Having said that, I also invested in a MaxCare warranty. Our previous '13 T&C had repeated issues with the blind spot monitors. While my issues were covered under warranty, the sensors were a cool $1k a piece out of pocket. I have heard reports of $6k or more to replace the front radar sensor on the Pacifica - and even if the cost is half that it would still have been cheaper to pay for the warranty.

The main reason I traded in my T&C was for the safety systems available on the Pacifica. It is a shame that the Advanced SafetyTec package is not available on lower trims. Minivans are often equated to family - you should be able to protect your family the best you can without having to buy a lot of other bells and whistles you may not want. I understand FCA needs to provide incentives to convince people to spend more money on higher trim levels, I just don't think that safety should be the bait on the hook.

 

[dmg2010]

I understand FCA needs to provide incentives to convince people to spend more money on higher trim levels, I just don't think that safety should be the bait on the hook.

Manufacturers have been introducing safety features on the higher trims and then they slowly work their way down to the lower trims. They have already agreed to make AEB standard by 2022.

 

[Gohawks1224]

Well worth it. I happily paid for this option. While my insurance rate increased slightly over my 2011 Mazda CX-9, the piece of mind knowing that my family and I will be safer is worth it.

BTW, by 2022, all cars in the US will have advanced emergency braking.

 

[mickeyboat]

The advanced safety tech group is the main reason we purchased the Pacifica. Purchased van in Jan. Love the adaptive cruise control. Wish all my autos had it. Love the lane assist, wish all my cars had it. Only had the emergency stop feature kick in once so far a guy in next lane suddenly appeared in front of me from an on ramp going much much slower and it reacted faster than I could to slow down. The 360 degree camera helps in closed in maneuver situations. Much better than back up camera only like some of my autos have.

Park assist is a gimmick that I have only tried in an empty parking lot and did not find it useful. I do not need it but my wife might use it.

The advanced safety tech package is the only option we wanted with out Limited 8 seater.

 

[Gohawks1224]

Park assist is a gimmick that I have only tried in an empty parking lot and did not find it useful. I do not need it but my wife might use it.

.

you need other cars around for the park assist to work. BUT... it is a party trick for perpendicular parking. I have found it useful in parallel parking especially with limited tight spots.

 

[mjoshi]

Thank you all for taking time and responding to my question, much appreciated. Now second question - how big is difference between 8 seat and 7 seat ? We never had 8 seat vehicle prior to this and want to know how much difference it is between two with regards to Pacifica. One advantage we had with Odyssey was the sliding middle row seats so it was easier to get in and out in Ody with 7 seats. People who have 7 seats vs 8 seats in their Pacifica, do you miss anything out ?

 

[dmg2010]

You should start a new thread.

 

[joysofboys]

Excellent info on the safety tec package everyone!
As for 7 vs. 8 seats, we would love 8 seats, but are not willing to give up a sunroof. 8 seater vans cannot have a sunroof because the seat belt is secured to the roof of the van for the 8th seat.
The Pacifica sunroof is huge and awesome. We've joked that it is as close as you can get to a convertible minivan.

Access to the 3rd row is easy. The 2nd row seats tip forward, even with car seats secured.

 

[mickeyboat]

Thank you all for taking time and responding to my question, much appreciated. Now second question - how big is difference between 8 seat and 7 seat ? We never had 8 seat vehicle prior to this and want to know how much difference it is between two with regards to Pacifica. One advantage we had with Odyssey was the sliding middle row seats so it was easier to get in and out in Ody with 7 seats. People who have 7 seats vs 8 seats in their Pacifica, do you miss anything out ?

8 seater has no sun roof ever. 8th seat easily removed. No change to excellent 3rd row access with 8th seat. 8th seat folds into wonderful wide arm rest and more cup holders.

 

[Gohawks1224]

Assuming the trim you are looking at is the top of the line Limited, sunroof is what you lose out on. If you are looking at the other trims, then the "biggest" difference is an inboard fold down armrest vs using the eight seat as an inboard armrest. Other than that, both seating options allow for the tilt of the outboard seats to provide easy access into the back. I was able to fit a rear facing outboard, 11 year old center, and my wife outboard with no issues or complaints.

eight seat option gives you the flexibility.

The second biggest difference is, removing that center seat will leave a big hole on the floor where all sorts of stuff can get lost in. I do have husky liner, but had to cut the center out. When I take that center seat out of the car, I will put that center cut out back on the floor. It provides some protection.