2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant exterior refresh, giving it a more muscular appearance with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. This change marked a departure from the elegance of previous models, yet the Pacifica retained some of its original sophistication, especially noticeable along its 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 stood out from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival by offering a premium feel, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which boasted luxurious touches such as quilted Nappa leather seats and a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

The 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar styling reminiscent of the Ridgeline. The Passport's new nose aimed to give it a tougher look, and this design was applied across all trim levels, including the new TrailSport trim. The TrailSport was designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, offering 20.5 centimetres of ground clearance and traction management driving modes. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and features like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim. The Passport's exterior and interior design aimed to balance ruggedness with comfort, making it suitable for both urban and off-road adventures.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 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 with a V6 engine and dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower. The hybrid model had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres. The Pacifica's AWD system, available for the first time in 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, enhancing traction and stability. The traditional V6 Pacifica had fuel consumption ratings of 12.4 L/100 km in the city and 8.4 on the highway, while the hybrid model used 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Passport's AWD system, Honda's i-VTM4, featured mechanical torque vectoring, distributing up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. The Passport's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 L/100 km in combined driving, with the TrailSport trim averaging 11.0 L/100 km. The Passport excelled in on-road performance, offering a firm ride and athletic handling, though its brakes could become less confidence-inspiring on mountain descents.

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 flexible cargo and passenger arrangements. The Pacifica's cargo area provided best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making it ideal for family travel. The interior included thoughtful storage solutions, such as under-console storage for second-row passengers and a rubberized bin for front-seat occupants.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The interior featured comfortable seats with leather upholstery and heated front seats, while the TrailSport trim added heated rear seats. The Passport's triple-zone automatic climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers. The SUV provided ample storage, including a massive centre console bin and shelving in the door panels. The Passport's cargo space measured 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and expanded to 2,854 litres with the back seat folded down, offering generous utility for everyday use.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its modern design and responsiveness. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with optional in-seat entertainment for the second row. The Pinnacle model offered FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view. The Pacifica's sound system options ranged from a standard six-speaker setup to a premium 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Passport's infotainment system was functional but could benefit from an upgrade. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base Sport trim, and the system's simplicity was appreciated by some users.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 safety features, with many standard on higher trims. These included 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 it.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver aids including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Passport also featured blind-spot monitoring and a rear-seat reminder system. While effective, some Honda Sensing features were less refined, leading drivers to disable them. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision.