re: Is the Chrysler Pacifica the best minivan choice currently?

If I was forced to give up my Odyssey, I'd consider the new Kias.

IMO, if you have more than two kids, a van is infinitely better than an SUV.

Sliding doors are so much easier in parking lots, press a button and all kids load up on their own with no risk of banging doors on adjacent vehicles. Car seats in an SUV in a parking lot are a much bigger pain.

They drive like cars, hell I can whip a u turn in my Odyssey that a Tahoe could never do.

My household: family car = Odyssey, personal car = pilot. 4 kids.