2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of trim levels, including Essential, Preferred, Luxury, and Ultimate, with the latter two featuring a turbocharged engine for enhanced power and performance. All-wheel drive was standard on most trims in Canada, except for the Essential, where it was an optional upgrade. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, with a distinctive grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and unique fender stampings. Inside, the SUV boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard and high-contrast interior colours, though the materials didn't quite match the high-style design. Despite this, the build quality was excellent, and the controls operated with refinement.

In contrast, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, featuring a revised exterior with new LED headlights and a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular look. The Pacifica retained some of its original sophistication, with a new all-LED taillamp and Chrysler wing badge at the rear. The interior was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The Pinnacle trim elevated the Pacifica to a premium level, with quilted Nappa leather seats, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and upscale finishes. The Pacifica's design was both practical and luxurious, making it a standout in the minivan segment.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, but the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine was the preferred choice, delivering 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided better performance, especially at higher altitudes, and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe offered a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms and had varying fuel efficiency depending on the engine and drivetrain configuration. The turbocharged engine with AWD consumed 12.0 L/100 km in the city and 9.2 on the highway. The Santa Fe was praised for its smooth ride, decent handling, and quiet highway experience, though it lacked driver engagement.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower. The Pacifica's AWD system was a new addition, providing on-demand activation for improved traction. The hybrid model had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with a fuel consumption of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The traditional V6 Pacifica had a combined fuel efficiency of 10.6 L/100 km, which increased with AWD. The Pacifica's performance was enhanced by its smooth AWD system and efficient hybrid powertrain.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was designed with family needs in mind, offering creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric. The test vehicle featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel. The Santa Fe's dual-zone climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the panoramic sunroof added to the comfort. The rear seats were comfortable for adults, with reclining options and heated cushions in higher trims. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was limited, with 1,017 litres behind the rear seat and 2,019 litres in total. The hands-free "smart" liftgate was a convenient feature for accessing the cargo area.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed for family life, with spacious front seats and a practical centre console. The minivan featured rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating for flexible cargo space. The Pacifica's second- and third-row seats provided ample legroom, and the Stow 'n Go feature allowed for easy loading. The cargo area was generous, offering best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres. The Pacifica's interior was both functional and luxurious, with thoughtful storage solutions and comfortable seating for all passengers.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a touchscreen display, stereo control knobs, and shortcut buttons. It included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Preferred trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services with three years of free service. The Ultimate trim featured a larger display, navigation system, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. The Santa Fe also offered a head-up display and a sophisticated voice recognition system, making technology integration seamless.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, with a clean design and responsive interface. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system was optional, with additional games and ports for personal entertainment. The Pacifica offered a six-speaker sound system, with upgrades available to a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Pinnacle model featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with advanced features for family safety and convenience.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a safe choice, earning a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. It offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Luxury trim added blind-spot monitoring and a Blind View Monitor. The Preferred grade included an ultrasonic occupant alert system, providing additional safety for families.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 safety features, with many available at the Touring-L grade. These included automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. The Pinnacle grade added adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and lane departure warning. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, ensuring peace of mind for families.