With the Pacifica's two-box, six-seat setup and rear side doors that opened conventionally – instead of the sliding doors found on minivans – Chrysler marketing types dubbed it a "grand tourer" when it arrived in 2004.

Even though it was built alongside the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country in Windsor, Chrysler didn't want the Pacifica to be labeled merely a "minivan." In reality, the '04 Pacifica was one of the industry's first crossover vehicles.

Regardless of the Pacifica's first-to-market advantage, conservative upscale styling and plethora of luxury features, critical crossover customers had some doubts that have prevented it from becoming more ubiquitous in Canadian laneways.

Regrettably, the Pacifica had the interior packaging of a chopped-roof Caravan. Those relegated to the back-row seats found headroom tight and little room for luggage.

The lack of cargo space prevented many owners from any type of long-distance touring – grand or not. And early Pacificas were saddled with middling engines. It didn't help that it was heavy, especially when equipped with optional all-wheel-drive.

You may be asking, exactly what is a crossover, pray tell?

A cynic's definition would simply be, "A minivan I'm not embarrassed to be seen in." In other words, three-row people movers dressed up like sport utility vehicles attempting to offer a car-like drive.

Among others, the Acura MDX, Audi Q7 and Mazda CX-9 are good examples of state-of-the-art crossovers. Some industry analysts have predicted crossover sales in North America will reach 3 million a year by 2010.

That attractive statistic, along with all of these whippersnapper crossovers challenging the pioneering Pacifica, has forced Chrysler into updating its crossover for 2007.

The base Pacifica starts at $34,945. That gets you front-wheel drive with a 3.8-litre V6 – outputting 200 hp and 235 lb.-ft. – a five-speed automatic transmission and two-row seating for five. Standard safety features include all-row side curtain air bags, electronic stability program, electronic throttle control, and traction control.

There's a mid-range Pacifica Touring, which an be had in FWD or optional AWD plus three rows of two seats (that's six, for those keeping track).

My test vehicle was the range-topping Pacifica Limited AWD, starting at $46,215. With options like a navigation system that incorporates a rear backup camera, upgraded sound system, high-intensity-discharge headlights and hands-free communication, it listed for $51,825.

To the Touring, the Limited AWD adds leather-faced heated seats in the first and second rows, monochromatic exterior, fog lamps, side-curtain air bags, parking sensors, power sunroof and liftgate, 19-inch chrome rims and AWD. A more powerful 4.0-litre V6 and one more gear in the slushbox is also standard on the Limited AWD.

From its centre console that runs through to the second-row bucket seats, to the high beltline, the Pacifica's interior has always felt either reassuringly cozy or slightly claustrophobic – take your pick.

Even as full-featured as the Limited AWD is, the Pacifica's cabin, as a whole, feels dated.

Most of the switchgear is leftover from the current Chrysler minivans that will be phased out later this year.

The navigational system, with its small screen centred in the driver's instrumentation, is noticeable when competitors can boast larger, easier-to-use interfaces.

The Pacifica Limited AWD's new 253 hp 4.0L V6, with 262 lb.-ft. of torque, shaves a couple of seconds off the previous model's 10-second 0-to-100 km/h gallop.

The new six-speed transmission shifts smoothly, too. And the AutoStick manumatic allows you select your own gear. But at times, the gearbox had a hard time deciding which gear it wanted to be in, especially if driving with a light throttle.

The Mercedes-Benz-derived rear suspension guarantees a soft ride. The Pacifica, particularly in Limited guise, is at its best when driven like a luxury car.

Like many luxury cars, the steering is one-finger light. But it does give good feel just off-centre and is accurate when steering you and your (potential) five friends though the turns. Even with 2,141 kilograms of curb weight, the crossover is fairly well controlled in its body motions.

The ride may be luxury-car smooth, but the Pacifica's body engineering is showing its age. There's plenty of noise entering the cabin when the tarmac gets rough and the suspension moans and groans at bad pavement.

Unfortunately, overall, the '07 Pacifica is generally the same vehicle that appeared four years ago.

The Chrysler's dated cabin and superfluous road noise means newer crossover competitors are more refined. It doesn't help that internal competition is coming in the form of the new (and potentially excellent) updated Chrysler Town & Country minivans this fall.

Because of this, the full-tilt boogie Pacifica Limited AWD seems too pricey. Perhaps the less expensive Pacifica models present more value if you're looking for a Chrysler crossover.