The Chrysler Pacifica has long been a popular choice for families seeking a versatile and spacious minivan. For the 2020 model year, Chrysler continued to offer the Pacifica, building upon its reputation and design. Understanding the safety performance of a family vehicle is paramount, and the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica has undergone rigorous testing to ensure occupant protection. This article delves into the crucial safety aspects of the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, drawing on data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to provide a comprehensive overview of its crashworthiness.
The IIHS, a leading authority in vehicle safety, conducted small overlap frontal crash tests on the Chrysler Pacifica. It’s important to note that these ratings apply to models built after August 2016, which incorporated critical structural improvements. These enhancements addressed an initial issue where the driver door detached during testing, leading to a strengthening of the upper hinge and the door hinge pillar area. The subsequent tests, conducted on vehicles with these improvements, demonstrated significantly enhanced safety performance.
Let’s examine the detailed ratings from the IIHS small overlap frontal test for the Chrysler Pacifica, which directly reflects the safety standards applicable to the 2020 model due to the carry-over design and structural integrity.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Small Overlap Frontal Test – Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The table above reveals that the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, mirroring the tested 2017 model post-improvement, achieves a “Good” overall rating in the small overlap frontal test. This is the highest rating offered by the IIHS, indicating a strong level of protection in this challenging crash scenario. Specifically, the driver injury measures are all rated as “Good,” meaning a low risk of significant injuries to the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, lower leg, and foot in a real-world crash of similar severity. The “Good” rating for driver restraints and dummy kinematics further confirms that the seatbelts and airbags effectively controlled the occupant’s movement during the impact, minimizing potential injury.
Despite the overall “Good” rating, the “Structure and safety cage” received an “Acceptable” rating. While still a respectable score, it indicates that while the occupant survival space was maintained “reasonably well,” as observed in the test, there was some degree of structural compromise. The image above illustrates the dummy’s position relative to the vehicle structure after the crash, demonstrating that the survival space remained largely intact, contributing to the low injury risk.
A crucial aspect of occupant protection is the effectiveness of airbags. The frontal and side curtain airbags in the Chrysler Pacifica performed as intended during the test, as shown above. They worked in coordination to prevent the driver’s head from impacting hard structures or external objects, a critical factor in preventing head injuries. This system is expected to perform similarly in the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, offering robust head protection in frontal and side impact scenarios.
The detailed measurements from the crash test further support the “Good” ratings for lower leg and foot injury measures. As pictured above, the driver’s space was maintained well in the footwell area, and the risk of injuries to the legs and feet was assessed as low. The technical data provides granular insights into occupant compartment intrusion and injury metrics.
Technical Measurements from Crash Test (CEN1635):
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 12 |
| Footrest | 14 |
| Left toepan | 11 |
| Brake pedal | 5 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 4 |
| Steering column | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 7 |
| Upper dash | 8 |
| Lower instrument panel | 9 |
These intrusion measurements indicate the degree to which the vehicle structure deformed into the occupant compartment during the crash. Lower numbers generally signify better structural integrity and less intrusion. While some intrusion is evident, particularly in the lower occupant compartment, the overall measurements suggest a moderate level of structural deformation, consistent with the “Acceptable” rating for structure.
Driver Injury Measures:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 71 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 8 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.18 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 1.2 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.8 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 2 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.73 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.31 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 2.2 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 1.7 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 45 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 28 |
The driver injury measures provide quantifiable data on potential injury risks. For example, the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) score of 71 is well below the threshold for concern, and the absence of peak gs at hard contact indicates effective head protection. Similarly, neck, chest, and leg injury measures are all within acceptable limits, reinforcing the “Good” injury ratings.
Conclusion:
The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, leveraging the robust design and safety enhancements of the models tested by IIHS after August 2016, demonstrates a strong commitment to occupant safety. The “Good” overall rating in the small overlap frontal crash test, coupled with “Good” ratings across all driver injury measures, positions the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica as a safe and reliable minivan choice for families. While the “Acceptable” rating for structure suggests room for improvement in ultimate structural rigidity, the vehicle effectively protects occupants in a demanding crash scenario. For those prioritizing safety in a minivan, the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica stands as a compelling option, backed by independent crash test data and a focus on real-world occupant protection.
