2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, featuring a revised exterior with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular aesthetic. The rear showcased an all-LED taillamp running the width of the model, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. The S Appearance Package added darkened features and black accents, enhancing its bold look. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which featured premium materials like quilted leather seats, suede pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, combined with sound-deadening technology, provided a sophisticated and quiet cabin experience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid retained the look of its gas-only variants, with subtle differences like "Hybrid" badges, blue Honda logos, and unique LED fog lights. Inside, it featured different trim and unique instrumentation to show battery status and power distribution. The CR-V Hybrid came in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard AWD. The Touring trim, tested with Platinum White Pearl paint and ivory leather, offered a rich two-tone cabin. However, the fake wood trim detracted from the overall quality. Despite this, the CR-V Hybrid provided a comfortable and spacious interior, with supportive front seats and remarkable rear seat room.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered AWD or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, new to the Pacifica lineup, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, improving fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed. The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models slightly lower at 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, producing a total of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most appropriate one. Additionally, three driver-selected modes—Econ, Sport, and EV—were available. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight from the battery pack and electric motors improved weight distribution and maintained 8.2 inches of ground clearance. Despite some droning under acceleration, the CR-V Hybrid was quick off the line, handled predictably, and returned 33.7 mpg on the testing route, below the EPA rating of 38 mpg combined.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and ample storage. The front seats provided a sense of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and Stow ’n Go seats. The second-row under-console storage and Stow ’n Go third-row bench seat added convenience. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel easy.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in carrying people and cargo. The front seats were supportive, with the driver’s seat offering 12-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided ample legroom, with air conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. Interior storage was impressive, though the Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger took up center console space. The CR-V Hybrid offered 33.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly less than the standard CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured Uconnect 5, a modern and customizable infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games for 2021. Audio options included a six-speaker system, a 13-speaker Alpine system, and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon systems. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, featured a seven-inch touchscreen with a power/volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. The system was slow to start, and voice-recognition technology was limited. The Touring trim included wireless smartphone charging, though it took up center console space. The nine-speaker premium audio system sounded good, and the infotainment system supported text messaging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Pandora internet radio.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving-assistance systems. Standard features were adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. The CR-V Hybrid also had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. It earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.