2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant mid-generation refresh, resulting in a more muscular aesthetic with its new hexagonal grille and standard LED headlights. This change marked a departure from the elegance of previous models, yet the Pacifica retained a sense of sophistication, especially 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 included darkened features and black accents, enhancing its overall appeal.

Inside, the Pacifica distinguished itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival by offering a premium feel, especially in the top trims. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, catered to luxury customers with its comfort, soft-touch materials, and classy finishes. The interior featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds. Quilted Nappa leather seats, suede centre row pillows, and Beber floor mats added to the upscale look. The Pacifica also excelled in sound deadening, providing a quiet ride with its new windows, seals, and insulation.

The 2022 Acura RDX, while maintaining a compact SUV profile, offered subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model. The updates included modifications to the grille surround, front and rear bumper styling, and new wheel designs and paint colours. The limited-production RDX PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup included various trims, with the A-Spec Platinum Elite package offering high-quality interior materials and a quieter cabin. Despite some design quirks, the RDX maintained a flair for style, appealing to those seeking a sporty and stylish SUV.

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 V6 hybrid 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 Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with a fuel consumption rating of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres and 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica had a fuel consumption rating of 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, with AWD models seeing a slight increase in these figures.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, providing an enjoyable driving experience. The RDX's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system was standard in Canada, offering torque-vectoring capabilities for improved handling. The RDX's fuel consumption rating was 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres, though real-world testing showed an average of 11.4 L/100 km. The RDX's Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered distinct driving modes, and the adaptive-damping suspension provided a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious front seats and a feeling of togetherness. The minivan featured 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 cargo area offered best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making it ideal for family travel. The under-console storage for second-row passengers provided additional convenience, with a bin for charging cords, tissues, and other items.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. The RDX's interior featured a sporty driving position and a unique control layout, including the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system. The RDX's front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation and a heated steering wheel. However, the back seat lacked support, prioritizing a flat cargo load floor when folded. The RDX's cargo area offered 835 litres of space, with additional hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with optional in-seat entertainment for the second row. The Pacifica offered a range of sound system options, including a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view and other features.

The 2022 Acura RDX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system paired a 10.2-inch display with a touchpad controller, offering a direct one-to-one relationship between the touchpad and screen. The RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The RDX offered three premium sound systems, with the A-Spec Platinum Elite trim featuring a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system. The RDX also included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 standard or available safety features, including automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with active braking. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The RDX included a rear seatbelt reminder system and the AcuraWatch collection of driver-assist and collision avoidance systems. The RDX received a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.