Chrysler UConnect 5 Infotainment System Was Designed to Lead
Chrysler recently unveiled the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica model at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show and what seemed to make the biggest splash in the news was that the model now offers an all-wheel-drive option for the first time ever. However, it turns out that the 2021 Pacifica actually has the honor of also being the first Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) vehicle to feature the company’s latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The current Uconnect 4 system is an industry favorite thanks to its easy-to-use nature, so this new version is sure to improve on that. Here’s how the latest Uconnect infotainment system is making in-car connectivity better:
“Technology has become more and more important and we don’t think it is going to stop. 51 percent of our customers said the technology in their vehicles influenced their buying decision. An even higher percentage (64 percent) said having a positive experience with the in-vehicle technology made them want to go back to the same brand. And nearly 80 percent of customers said having an easy-to-use infotainment system was one of their most important factors,” said Jin Palmer, Head of Infotainment and Feature Planning for FCA.
FCA already showed its willingness to upgrade screen sizes with the Ram 1500 model and now with the latest Pacifica. FCA’s Chief Designer of User experience, Vince Galante, said: “in all of our vehicles, you are going to see larger displays with even more resolution, making everything easier to read.” FCA designed the Uconnect 5 system with square, portrait, and landscape views, thus it’s likely that future FCA vehicle screens will vary in terms of shapes and sizes. Galante also explained how the Uconnect 5 system will offer buyers different features depending on which vehicle it’s in.
“One of the fun things about working for FCA is the ability to work on such a wide range of products. One day you could be working on a Pacifica minivan and the next day work on a full-size Ram, Alfa Romeo, or Fiat,” Galante added. As they say, variety is the spice of life.
Each FCA brand is slated to receive its own Uconnect color scheme along with vehicle-specific features. Where the Pacifica might offer buyers a rear seat monitor, a Challenger Hellcat would instead offer the Performance Pages feature. Drivers will also enjoy screens with smartphone-like widgets, allowing them to not only make multiple user profiles, but also make navigating the infotainment system a lot simpler. Some common customizable widgets include temperature control settings, navigation locations, and other frequently used features.
FCA declined to detail which other vehicles are slated to be equipped with the Uconnect 5 system after the Pacifica. Alfa Romeo remains the only FCA brand to not use Uconnect, but Galante declined to answer if the brand would adopt the new system. Instead, Galante said: “you will see an upgrade in those vehicles to include touch and the dial.” Seems like Alfa Romeo will continue to use its own system, but the rest of the FCA products will make the switch to Uconnect 5 sooner than later.
Get familiar with FCA’s Uconnect infotainment system here at Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Check out our latest Chrysler Pacifica inventory and put one of the industry’s best infotainment systems to the test. Schedule your test drive today and follow us on Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram social media to stay up to date with the latest news and offers.