2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

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. Despite these changes, the Pacifica retained some of its original sophistication, particularly noticeable as one moved from the front to the sides and rear. The rear featured a new all-LED taillamp spanning the width of the vehicle, with the Chrysler wing badge at its centre. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which boasted a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and quilted Nappa leather seats. The Pacifica's doors had a well-weighted feel, and its sound-deadening technology was enhanced with new windows, seals, and insulation.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out in the midsize SUV segment with its distinctive design. Its front end, while less dramatic than the Sienna's, featured wide headlights, a long hood, and a trapezoidal grille. The side profile was accentuated by a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and the rear taillights bore a Lexus-like design. The Highlander appeared longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The new XSE trim added a sportier look with a restyled front end, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a larger lower air intake. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum, offered chrome roof rails and accents, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Highlander leaned towards luxury, with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and dark brown trim. The wood details, though not real, added to the premium feel. The Highlander prioritized comfort and convenience, essential for family vehicles.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid version combining a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. In Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) was an extra-cost option for internal combustion engine models, while hybrid models were front-wheel drive only. The AWD system, reintroduced after 16 years, activated on-demand based on various conditions and deactivated automatically to improve fuel efficiency. The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with fuel consumption of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres and 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica had fuel consumption rates of 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, with AWD models consuming slightly more.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It was available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. While not designed for high-performance driving, the Highlander offered smooth and predictable operation, making it suitable for family use. It compared well with competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride in terms of horsepower and torque. The Highlander had a soft and comfortable suspension, with the XSE trim offering a slightly sportier feel with higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, and a rear stabilizer bar. These enhancements provided a bit of driving excitement for those seeking it in a family-focused vehicle.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious front seats and a padded centre console lid for a sense of togetherness. Storage space was ample, with an under-stack area for items like purses or muddy shoes. Standard features included rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and Stow 'n Go seating for the second and third rows. The Pacifica's under-console storage for second-row passengers was a practical addition, providing space for charging cords, tissues, and more. The second and third rows offered plenty of legroom, though taller adults might prefer the middle row. The Pacifica's cargo area was spacious, with best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making it ideal for family travel.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in passenger comfort and cargo space. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for storing large cell phones, with a pass-through for charging cords. A wireless charging pad was standard on XSE and above. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward to optimize space. The third row could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. However, the rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, which some might find inconvenient. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,150 litres with the third row folded and 2,245 litres with both the second and third rows down. While not as spacious as a minivan, the Highlander offered respectable cargo capacity for a crossover.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its modern design, responsiveness, and ease of use. While it lacked a head-up display, the navigation system was user-friendly and quick to reroute. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. The sound system options ranged from a standard six-speaker setup to a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system, providing a high-quality listening experience. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat functionality.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch screen available on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, though the navigation struggled with points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, though it only displayed certain apps in full width. A JBL audio system was standard from the Limited grade, offering good sound quality. The system included a volume and tuning knob, but the navigation display was limited to an 8-inch rectangle, raising questions about the value of the larger screen.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica boasted up to 116 standard or available safety features, many of which were electronic and mechanical. In Canada, most safety features were available from the Touring-L grade, including automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and forward collision warning with active braking. Additional features like adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, front parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and lane departure warning with lane keep assist were available in packages or standard on the Pinnacle grade. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. This feature allowed the Highlander to recognize oncoming vehicles at intersections and engage the automatic emergency braking system when necessary. Other standard features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring was also standard. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).