2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

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 elements 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 model's width, 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 balancing practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which boasted luxurious features such as quilted Nappa leather seats and a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, built on a new platform, was offered in North America as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and expanded cargo space. Its front design featured a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights and Bi-LED headlights, forming a unique shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird. The Tucson's side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. At the rear, toothy LED taillights added a distinctive touch. Depending on the trim, the Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with stain-resistant cloth seats standard and leather-trimmed options available on higher trims. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered design contributed to a sense of spaciousness.

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 variant combining a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, delivering 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The hybrid model had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with a fuel consumption of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 12.4 L/100 km in the city and 8.4 on the highway, with AWD models seeing slightly higher consumption.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, delivering 226 combined horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid was notably more powerful than competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Tucson's ICE engine achieved 8.2 L/100 km combined with FWD and 9.0 L/100 km with AWD. The hybrid was more efficient, using 6.3 L/100 km in the city and 6.4 combined. A plug-in hybrid version was also planned, promising even greater power and efficiency.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious front seats and a practical centre console. Standard features included rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating for the second and third rows, providing ample legroom and storage options. The Pacifica boasted best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making it ideal for family travel.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, a budget-friendly compact SUV, offered a well-appointed interior with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat standard and an eight-way version available on higher trims. The new platform allowed for increased passenger and cargo space, with rear seats offering more legroom than the RAV4. The Tucson's 1,095-litre cargo space was comparable to competitors like the Forester and CR-V, with a dual-level cargo floor adding versatility.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its modern design and responsiveness. Standard features 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 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, and connectivity options like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The centre console's touchpoints were responsive, though some drivers found them challenging to use without taking their eyes off the road.

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. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, with standard features like forward collision-avoidance assist and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety options included blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai provided a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty for the Tucson.