The Chrysler Pacifica arrived in 2017 as the replacement for the Town & Country minivan, and it's fair to say the Pacifica took the segment to an entirely new level. As well as introducing the first-ever hybrid powertrain to the minivan market, the 2019 Pacifica you'll find today at a Chrysler dealer in Portage is very well-equipped at all levels, has plenty of cargo space and offers incredible utility. Most of that should be a given for any decent minivan these days, but the Pacifica is also very attractive and its performance and handling even borders on the sporty.

Despite the popularity of crossovers, trucks and SUVs, Chrysler Portage will tell you nothing copes with those family hauling duties anywhere near as well as a minivan. The 2019 Pacifica makes a strong case for itself as the best minivan in its class. It's available in L, LX, Touring, Touring-L, Touring-L Plus and Limited trim levels. There's also an available S Appearance Package that brings a blacked out trim and other cosmetic enhancements to the Chrysler minivan.

Under the hood of all non-hybrid Pacifica models is a 3.6-liter V-6 producing a very capable 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, which powers the front wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine is smooth, with plenty of punch for accelerating, it handles a full load with ease, and even allows the Pacifica to tow up to 3,600 pounds. The transmission is controlled by a rotary dial and there's an "L" position designed to help with low-speed cornering and towing.

Because of its extensive lineup of trim levels and prices, there really is a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica for almost every minivan buyer. Just because it's very affordable at the entry level doesn't mean its short on standard features, though. Base L models come standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, a rearview camera, 17-inch wheels, air conditioning, blind-spot monitors and rear parking sensors. Depending on the specification, the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica can seat either seven or eight passengers. But getting the versatility of a folding second-row seat will mean going for the LX trim or higher.

Top-of-the-range Limited models pull out all the stops, with luxuries that include power sliding side doors, a hands-free power liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated and cooled front seats, HD radio, navigation and leather upholstery. The Premium even comes with a Blu-ray entertainment system with twin ten-inch screens, a powered third-row seat, and an in-van vacuum for cleaning up after the family.

A vehicle primarily designed for families has to be safe, and the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica doesn't let us down in this vital area. The Chrysler was crash-tested last year and gained a full five-star rating from the NHTSA, while the IIHS gave it the coveted Top Safety Pick accolade. Blind-spot monitors and rear parking sensors are standard across the range, and most models come with forward-collision warnings with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.