2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant mid-generation refresh, showcasing a revised exterior that included new standard LED headlights flanking a hexagonal grille. This update gave the Pacifica a more muscular appearance, moving away from the elegance of previous models. The sophistication of the original design was still evident, particularly as one viewed the sides and rear of the van, which featured a new all-LED taillamp running the width of the model with the Chrysler wing badge at its centre. Chrysler also introduced six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents to the exterior.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival by offering a blend of practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The interior boasted a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds. The Pinnacle trim further enhanced the premium feel with quilted Nappa leather seats, suede centre row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The Pacifica's doors had a well-weighted feel, and the minivan featured advanced sound deadening technology to minimize road noise.

The 2021 Nissan Armada received a significant facelift, aligning its design with Nissan's new signature exterior style. The SUV's exterior updates included a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED headlights and taillights, giving it a modern look while retaining its traditional beefy and athletic body styling. The Armada was available in SL and Platinum trims, with the latter offering captain’s chairs as an option. The SUV featured body-colour over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and an acoustic windshield and front side windows as standard.

Despite the exterior updates, the Armada's interior remained somewhat dated, with a modern upper centre stack but other design elements that appeared past their prime. The SUV's interior featured leather and quilted leather seating materials, but the use of rouched material on the door panels and abstract patterned hard plastic inlays detracted from the overall aesthetic. The Armada's interior space was generous, with comfortable seating for first- and second-row occupants, but the third row was less accommodating for adults.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine paired with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres. The traditional V6 Pacifica had fuel consumption ratings of 12.4 L/100 km in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, while the AWD version had slightly higher consumption rates.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a 5.6-litre V8 engine paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The Armada featured automatic four-wheel drive and was capable off-road, with a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and 23.4 centimetres of ground clearance. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with ratings of 17.5 L/100 km in the city, 12.9 on the highway, and 15.4 combined. The Armada had a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,856 kilograms.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious front seats and a practical cabin layout. The minivan featured power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating for the second and third rows, providing ample legroom and storage options. The Pacifica boasted best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making it ideal for family travel.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, offered a broad interior with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen. The front seats were 10-way power-adjustable, and the Platinum trim offered second-row captain's chairs. The Armada's cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 1,413 litres behind the second row, and 2,692 litres with both rows folded. However, the high load floor made loading and unloading challenging for petite individuals.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features. The Pacifica offered a range of sound system upgrades, including a 19-speaker Harman Kardon option.

The 2021 Nissan Armada's tech refresh included a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and a rear-seat entertainment system. The Armada's steering wheel allowed for limited control of the infotainment system.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with up to 116 safety features, including automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. However, the Armada had a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA and lacked advanced driving assist technologies.