Chrysler introduced plenty of innovations during its 100-year history with the brand being responsible for features that we often take for granted. They include rubber engine mounts, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, the first cruise control system, and even the first practical alternator for automobiles. Other innovations include Stow-n-Go seating but if founder Walter P. Chrysler were to look at his beloved namesake now, chances are good he would be horrified at what he would see with the brand down to only one model and limping along on life support with no sign of the engineering spirit that once defined it.
Despite the brand going through a rough period, Chrysler is still prepared to celebrate its 100th anniversary with the brand not only debuting the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica 100th Anniversary Edition but also using the occasion to confirm it will be bringing a new CUV model to buyers as well.
Celebrating with a whimper
When you usually celebrate 100 years, you usually throw a big celebration with the U.S. Army preparing an elaborate extravaganza for its 250th anniversary. However, the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica 100th Anniversary Edition doesn’t look the part at first glance. Unlike other special editions we have seen from the Stellantis group of brands, there’s no special edition badging with the only semblance of visual identity being an “Est in 1925” sticker on the back with the rest of the van starting out life as a Select model with designers adding Luster Grey wheels, Semi-gloss Granite Crystal fascia and grille with the wing emblem getting a similar treatment, and gloss black mirror caps.
This model also gets Chrysler’s “Safety Sphere” package standard but buyers only get three colors to choose from: Red Hot, Hydro Blue, and Bright White. The interior gets its fair share of garnishments also but there’s not much to talk about in that regard since the bulk of it is carried over unchanged. Both the regular Pacifica and its PHEV cousin get in on the act with base versions starting at $44,390 and $52,565 respectively with performance also being unchanged for both vans.
The best is yet to come but prepare for a long wait
Despite the dreary state of affairs for the brand at the moment, Chrysler is still confident that it will survive for another 100 years with Chrysler CEO Chris Fuell stating “Chrysler’s 100th anniversary is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How often do you get to sit behind the wheel of history and feel what it was like when Chrysler revolutionized the road? Because Chrysler isn’t just a name — it’s a symbol of progress and a century of innovation. From engineering breakthroughs to design firsts, Chrysler has always been ahead of its time. And while we’ve brought amazing products to life over the past 100 years, we’re not done yet.”
To prove that they are far from being done, Fuell revealed that the brand will have a new crossover model that will go on sale in 2027 with this CUV potentially being a key barometer of the brand’s ability to still function as a meaningful player in the Stellatnis team. In addition to the new CUV, the Halcyon concept also appears to be teasing a potential revival of the Chrysler 300 a model that reflected the golden age of Chrysler even in the 2000s when it made its return to replace the aging 300M (pitching the moniker’s alphabet focused tradition by not embracing the letter “N.” EVs were supposed to be the new direction for Chrysler but with EV demand slumping, the brand might shift focus and instead bring vehicles that have either pure gasoline engines or hybrid engines with EVs potentially being put on the back burner until market conditions change.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.