This vehicle is neither fish, nor fowl. It’s not a minivan. It’s not an SUV. The seating position is high, but doesn’t require a step up to enter. You just slide across. You sit nearly on par with minivan drivers, but are surrounded by an instrument panel, three-row seating layout (2-2-2), and trim more suited to an upscale automobile. The A-pillars are substantial – imparting a feeling of great strength – but don’t unduly impinge on visibility. Four adults (stick small adults and kids in the rearmost seats) will fit comfortably, but don’t plan on carrying much in the way of cargo if all the seats are filled. There’s very little room behind the third row of seats if they’re occupied.

Before you jump to conclusions, the Pacifica isn’t a station wagon, either. Though many older wagons sat six, or eight, the middle row was a folding bench seat, while the third row often faced rearward and had room for more than feet. Granted, most of the time the rear seats will be folded flat into the floor, making the Pacifica a four-passenger, four-door with extra cargo capacity that can seat five or six in a pinch. Each passenger gets his own reclining seat – heated in all but the third row if you get the $500 Cold Weather Package – and nearby cup holder. There’s an in-flight movie if you order the $1,070 video system for the rear compartment, but you have to bring your own peanuts, drinks, and meal. The aisle isn’t wide enough for a beverage cart.

As you might have guessed, it appears Chrysler has created an executive jet for the road. There’s ample room, plenty of quiet (as long as the pilot isn’t urging the 3.5-liter V6 to reach cruising speed quickly), and countless amenities. It eats highway miles like candy, and is reasonable – but not especially easy – on fuel. In highway driving our “Butane Blue” Pacifica tester returned a solid 21.5 mpg, 1.5 mpg short of its 23 mpg highway rating. (It must have been the turbulence.)

Families that have shipped their oldest off to college will appreciate the Pacifica most. With the rear seats stowed it can haul a lot of stuff, keep the youngsters entertained with the video system, and not demand that Catherine and Caitlin, or Justin and Jared rub shoulders during the drive. With the optional all-wheel-drive the Pacifica should be able to handle most any weather condition the driver might reasonably face, without the need to lug around the weight and image of a luxury SUV. It can’t climb boulders, or conquer the Rubicon, but most of the SUVs out there get no closer to this than a trip down a dirt road anyway. Nor is its price out-of-whack when compared to upmarket minivans and SUVs. It’s just different. And, in this case, different is good.