Chrysler Readies Overland-Ready Pacifica Concept

Chrysler is taking a bold new direction with its beloved Pacifica minivan—this time, venturing off the pavement and into the world of overlanding. During the Chrysler Carlisle Nationals, Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell let it slip that the company is building a brand-new concept vehicle based on the Pacifica, specifically tailored for the upcoming Overland Expo.

For families across America, the Pacifica has been a go-to for its space, comfort, and practicality. But imagine taking that same spacious platform—often called the “Swiss Army knife” of utility vehicles—and transforming it into a capable off-grid adventure machine. That’s exactly what Chrysler and the Mopar team appear to be doing.

While official details are still under wraps, Feuell’s comments hint at a shift toward embracing the “van life” and overlanding communities—movements that exploded in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as people sought freedom and self-sufficiency on the road. And let’s be honest, the Pacifica makes a lot of sense for this kind of lifestyle. It offers a lower price of entry compared to full-size vans, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and the kind of flexible interior space that DIYers and adventurers crave.

If Chrysler’s concept follows the formula of other overlanding builds, we can likely expect upgrades like all-terrain tires, roof-mounted accessories, solar charging capability, lifted suspension, auxiliary lighting, and custom sleeping or storage setups inside. It might even get some extra skid protection and beefier body cladding to help it handle mild off-road trails.

This Pacifica overlanding concept also fits into the bigger picture for Chrysler’s future. Feuell confirmed that the brand is pushing forward with a fresh lineup of vehicles, including an updated Pacifica, a D-segment crossover, a full-size sedan (possibly bringing back the 300 Series name), and a compact crossover. But it’s this unexpected twist—a minivan turned off-road explorer—that really has us excited.

We’ll have to wait until the Overland Expo next month to see the full reveal, but if done right, this Pacifica concept could open the door to a whole new audience for Chrysler—families and individuals who want to explore the backcountry without sacrificing comfort and convenience. Stay tuned.