2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Volvo XC40

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 robust appearance, moving away from the elegance of previous models. Despite these changes, the Pacifica retained elements of its original sophisticated design, 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 to the exterior.

Inside, the Pacifica distinguished itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival by balancing practicality with premium touches. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim exemplified this with its luxurious features, including a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and quilted Nappa leather seats. The minivan's doors had a solid, well-weighted feel, and its sound-deadening technology effectively minimized road and engine noise, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, with its traditional SUV styling, featured a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning with Volvo's familial design cues like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The XC40 Recharge variant stood out with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also sported a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a distinct rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The XC40's interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly.

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 variant 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. The hybrid model boasted an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with fuel efficiency rated at 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres and 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The V6 Pacifica achieved 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, with AWD models seeing slightly reduced efficiency.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 featured a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque in the T4, and 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet in the T5. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for AWD and a combined 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the T5 and T4 achieved the same in 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 180 km/h, emphasizing safety over speed.

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 solutions included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin, ideal for various items. Standard features included rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, power-adjustable seats, and Stow ’n Go seating for flexible cargo space. The Pacifica boasted best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making it a practical choice for family travel.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, while not particularly spacious, offered clever storage solutions to compensate for its limited interior space. The centre console featured a removable trash bin, and the glovebox door included a bag hook. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was designed to hold a phone securely, with a wireless charging pad available as an option. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its modern, customizable interface and quick responsiveness. While it lacked a head-up display, the system offered easy-to-use navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The second row's in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. 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 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with top-notch graphics and menu layouts. The Recharge model also offered OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The lack of a start button and the potential for a Digital Key feature added to the XC40's modern appeal.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 standard or available safety features, including automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning with active braking. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated the model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, capable of future updates for advanced driver aids.