2018 Chrysler Pacifica is perfect for your family

The Chrysler Pacifica has long been held up as the standard of family minivans — and for good reasons, too. With a slew of amenities and available features, from budget-friendly hybrid technology to its spacious interior, the new Pacifica is the perfect choice for large families on the lookout for the best vehicle. Let's delve into the details of the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica, the most awarded minivan three years running. Available Trim Levels You're the smartest neighbor on the block, and what you park in your driveway is proof. Consumers Digest and Consumer Guide both named the outgoing model year a best buy, and we think the 2019 model will result in more of the same accolades for this industry-leading minivan. more The Pacifica is available in seven well-appointed trims, for maximum customizability, comfort, and convenience. Pick from the L, LX, Touring Plus, Touring L, Touring L Plus, Hybrid Touring Plus, and the top-of-the-line Limited. Hybrid Technology Chrysler takes the minivan another giant leap into the future with its Hybrid Touring Plus package of technology. The first minivan of its kind, Chrysler's hybrid delivers money-saving fuel efficiency. It offers an outstanding 32-mile pure electric range and an efficiency rating of 82 MPGe. With a total range of 520 miles, the Pacifica will take your family into the next generation. Spacious, Well-Appointed Interior The new Pacifica's interior design has your large family in mind. Chrysler loaded its flagship minivan with all the kid- and parent-friendly features you could ask for. Discover power-sliding doors, stow-and-go seats, a power liftgate, plus seating for eight passengers with 243 possible seating configurations. Slide the front seats forward for quick access to the in-floor bins, and take advantage of an overall cargo area featuring 140.5 cubic feet for luggage, trips to the big box stores, or for that birthday bike. Horsepower to Keep Up With Life Your family's life is often on the go, and you need a vehicle that keeps up. Chrysler understands the demands you put on your daily commuter, which is why they installed a potent, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine under the hood of every Pacifica. This powerhouse delivers 287 horses and 262 pound-feet of torque for an impressive best-in-class towing capability of 3,600 pounds, while still earning 28 mpg highway. Safety First There's nothing more important than your family's safety on the open road. Opt for the available Advanced SafetyTec suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision and lane-departure warnings, brake and lane-keep assist, parallel parking assistant, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and automatic headlamps. Equipped with this advanced safety technology, it's easy to see why the Chrysler Pacifica was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2019. When equipped with the optional SafetyTec package, it earned a superior rating for crash avoidance and mitigation. Have you been shopping for the best family vehicle? Discover all the different ways the 2019 Pacifica outshines the competition at a Chrysler dealership near you. Check out our inventory of the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica for sale in Wichita. Image via Davis-MooreCDJRF.com

Many modern cruisers are fitted with a myriad of fancy gadgets that bring luxury appeal to just about any vehicle. One of these in particular is Uconnect Navigation available for Chrysler, Dodge, FIAT, Jeep, and Ram models. This feature uses advanced GPS technology, audible directions for turn-by-turn assistance, and a user-friendly interface designed for effortless traveling. With that in mind, here are four ways you can get more out of your Uconnect system. Interactive Touchscreen Display Uconnect's touchscreen is the central hub for everything you need to navigate around. From here you can access the “Where To?” screen and type in a desired address, track your recent inputs, check your favorite places, and locate points of interest. You can also use the One-Step Voice Destination Entry feature for hands-free convenience. As you start your route, you'll be gifted with audio directions, precise vehicle map positioning via sensor-assisted GPS, and 3D graphics with detailed city, terrain, and landmark views. more Voice-Activated Features Whether you're heading home or traveling afar, your main priority is staying focused on the path ahead. Fortunately, Uconnect Navigation lets you easily access directions to your destination via voice command. But finding your desired route isn't the only thing you can control hands-free. Use your voice to manage your music playlist, adjust the radio station, or make a call, all without taking your focus off the road or your hands off the steering wheel. SiriusXM Traffic Plus and Travel Link Services You might be able to avoid traffic if you drive early in the morning or late into the evening, but most times it's inevitable. Instead of getting caught up in the mess, avoid the congestion of rush hour with Uconnect's SiriusXM Traffic Plus and Travel Link services. The former offers a detailed report of road closures, construction sites, accident sightings, and even your vehicle's traffic speed. The latter is also helpful in getting you to your destination quickly and safely, especially during a road trip. Travel Link brings up daily forecasts, major storm alerts, and weather maps to help you steer clear of potential dangers. It's also handy when navigating around town, as it keeps you up to date with local fuel rates, movie theater showings, and sports reports. Uconnect Access This feature helps you get to where you need to go with ease since it can be managed from the Uconnect Access mobile app. It lets you enjoy perks like Send ‘n Go, a system where you can search for destinations on your smartphone and then transfer the data to your Uconnect touchscreen for later use. Uconnect Access also helps in emergency situations thanks to features like 911 Call, Roadside Assistance, and Vehicle Health Alert. If you ever lose sight of your car, Vehicle Finder and Stolen Vehicle Assistance can easily be activated right from your mobile device. Getting directions and a solid route doesn't have to be a hassle. With Uconnect, you can effectively navigate your way with an interactive touchscreen, through voice command, or right from your smartphone. Photo by AlBargan | Licensed under cc BY-ND 2.0

It's true. You can't run laps down the I-135 at top speeds. But, you can incorporate some racing techniques into your daily commute that will improve your skills. You're sitting in that seat to drive, so why not enjoy it? Thrill behind the wheel with these four tips from pro race car drivers you can use on the road. Avoid Traffic and Storms When you can't drive 65, use an app to steer clear of traffic congestion. Just like on the track, you want to avoid a pile-up.  According to Business Insider, Americans spend a shocking 42 hours and $1,400 in gas idly sitting in traffic each year. Try to use alternative routes rather than jumping on the interstate. more Well-equipped Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler brand vehicles are loaded with a trial subscription to SiriusXM Traffic, Traffic Plus, and SiriusXM Travel Link. With SiriusXM Traffic, get real-time information on flow, accidents, construction, and more. Travel Link keeps you in touch with detailed weather information right at your fingertips. Check the Fundamentals Maintaining your car's basic systems will ensure it keeps you zooming down the road. Once a month, give your tires the "penny” test. This is a classic method to ensure your wheels are in good shape. Place a penny head down between your tires' tread. If you can see Lincoln's entire dome, it's time for new rubber. Check your engine oil every other time you hit the pump. It only takes a minute while you're filling up to pull out the dipstick and give it a glance. Is it full? Is it black? These are two things to keep an eye on. If you notice something amiss, get it to your dealership for an oil change. Service departments often include routine maintenance free as part of your purchase. Avoid the Heat According to the private group DMV.org, the maximum speeding ticket in Kansas is $528.00. Ouch. If you're going to put a ton of miles on the highway, it's best to go the speed limit. Rumor has it you won't get a ticket in the 5 to 8-mile-per-hour-over window, but that's ultimately up to the cops. You may earn some brownie points with a firmly attached seat belt. Stay Aware New race car driver Natalie Fenaroli says you need cat-like reflexes and razor-sharp focus to drive professionally. You need those same traits navigating Wichita, so be conscious of what's going on around you. Awareness — knowing where all the other cars are — is critical for safety on the road. Don't merely focus on the cars ahead of you. Look around, and remember that with distance comes comfort. Stay about one or two car lengths away from other vehicles around you. If road conditions are wet, give yourself more distance and, therefore, more time to react. We all enjoy a bit of get-up and go on the road, but the track is a very different place. Try out these four driving tips from professional racers you can use every day on the way. Photo by Dave Hamster | Licensed under cc BY 2.0