Anyone born after the 1900s is usually completely against anything the elders of Gen X and Gen Y (or Millennials, whatever) are in favor of. The minivan, however, is the one thing that seems to be a multigenerational pariah, even though it tends to check the boxes under the “need” column for car buyers. You know, things like comfort, cargo room, number of seats, charging ports, etc. Dillon Gabriel, a 24-year-old NFL rookie, is looking to change that image as the new ambassador of an oldie but goodie, the Chrysler Pacifica.Â
Not gonna lie, I chuckled while typing that last sentence. It just hits different. A standout quarterback, Gabriel broke NCAA football records and is second in all-time passing yards. He wrapped up his college career by finishing third in voting for the prestigious Heisman Trophy, then heard his name called during this year’s NFL Draft.Â
Okay, so it was the Cleveland Browns who rang, but Gabriel was drafted nonetheless. With his sporting credentials, you’d think he’d have his pick of partnerships, especially in automotive. Yet Gabriel walked past the performance cars, beefy trucks, and shiny SUVs. He also didn’t linger on the bougie luxury marques.Â
Instead, he chose the most sensible family vehicle out there and signed a deal to rep the Pacifica. Last playing for the Oregon Ducks, Gabriel actually drove around town in, you guessed it, a Chrysler. As reported by Browns fansite, Dawg Pound Daily:
Although generally made for families with children, Gabriel drove a Chrysler Pacifica minivan in Eugene, Oregon, instead of a flashy sports car. He would use this car to deliver things to practice or to get a whole batch of teammates together so they could spend time during long commutes.
Prioritizing camaraderie and experiences over material goods? Okay, now he’s sounding like a Gen Zer. But it’s a smart move as minivans are having a banner sales year so far. During the second quarter, the Toyota Sienna enjoyed an eye-opening 61% year-over-year increase, with the Kia Carnival right behind with a 57% jump. The Honda Odyssey also enjoyed a YOY bump of 28%.
The Pacifica, however, was the only one in the segment to experience a sales slide. But that’s okay. Although not as recently refreshed as its competitors, the Pacifica was the 2024 sales champ as the only minivan to sell in six figures. Perhaps there’ll be a comeback in the second half?
During a guest appearance on the Keep It Aloha podcast, Gabriel said his college ride was a leased Pacifica hybrid, which he would fuel up about every three weeks. Despite the fact that “people will clown you,” to Gabriel, the soccer mom status symbol passed his vibe check:
“The minivan was fire. People don’t understand, the minivan’s legit. Space. It’s efficient…it’s a great decision.”
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Not as great as having to play pro football in Cleveland. But, hey, at least Gabriel’s new minivan can comfortably fit all the QBs currently on the Browns’ roster (which is five for those of you who don’t follow the handegg league). Hmm, since the Pacifica can seat up to eight, there might even be room for Deshaun Watson’s notoriously bloated contract!
Jokes aside, though, as a fellow member of Team Minivan, I wholeheartedly agree with Gabriel. Perhaps he can normalize the term “minivan enthusiast” and make it an appealing car choice to everyone. Now that would be fire.
Top graphic images: Stellantis; ESPN
I loved watching the building next to me get a gut-rehab. You’d have about 4 construction guys show up daily in their F250’s, Titan’s, and Silverado’s, spend about 15 minutes to find street parking within 1/4 mile, but as their work truck to deliver lumber, plywood, concrete, stone, etc. they used an old beat up Toyota Sienna that had no mirrors or operating door handles on the driver’s side. That thing apparently has a payload capacity that’ll put a 3500 class truck to shame.