2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

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 also offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality with premium touches, 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 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its sheet metal with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch, giving it a crossover coupe-like appearance. However, this styling resulted in a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, with some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, appearing tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, maintaining the same wheelbase. It came with standard LED lighting and various wheel options, with the R-Line package adding sportier styling features. Inside, the Cross Sport had a minimalist design, but the materials felt subpar, with hard plastics and rubbery leather detracting from the overall feel. The interior's dark colours and flat-bottom steering wheel did not provide a welcoming atmosphere.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a V6 hybrid engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. In Canada, AWD was an extra-cost option for the V6 models, while the hybrid models were FWD only. The AWD system activated on-demand based on various conditions, enhancing fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed. 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. The traditional V6 Pacifica had fuel consumption figures of 12.4 L/100 km in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, with AWD models seeing a slight increase in these numbers.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, featuring a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided a lively acceleration experience, but midrange acceleration was less robust than expected. The transmission was slow to react, though manual shifting was possible. The Cross Sport's ride quality was among the worst in its class, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed in wind and tire noise. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, while the four-cylinder models were rated for 907 kilograms. AWD versions featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance.

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 was ample, with an under-stack area for various items. 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. The second-row under-console storage was a practical addition, and the seats provided ample legroom for passengers. The Pacifica's cargo area was spacious, offering best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport had a large footprint, providing competitive interior space among two-row midsize crossovers. Front-seat and rear-seat legroom were near the top of the class, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. The Cross Sport included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a centre console.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system was optional, with additional games available. Audio options ranged from a six-speaker system to a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the base trim and the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen for higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Execline models featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The Digital Cockpit allowed for customizable display configurations, while analog controls provided ease of use for basic functions.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica boasted up to 116 standard or available safety features, with many being electronic and mechanical. In Canada, key safety features were available from the Touring-L grade, including automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated the model.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with five stars for side crash tests and four stars for frontal and rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with optional features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on Execline models.