2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant exterior refresh, featuring new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille that contributed to a more muscular aesthetic. This design shift moved away from the elegance of previous models, yet retained a touch of sophistication as the eye moved towards the sides and rear. The rear boasted 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. 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. This top-tier model featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and quilted Nappa leather seats, creating a luxurious feel. The Pacifica also excelled in sound deadening, ensuring a quiet ride.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced the Onyx Edition trim, which featured a blacked-out exterior, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, and unique grille design, giving the SUV a sporty appearance. The interior of the Onyx Edition included water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats in a grey two-tone scheme, with metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels. While the StarTex material was practical, it had a tendency to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable addition. The Ascent's interior was designed for comfort, with triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a wiper de-icer. The SUV's wide rear doors and available captain's chairs made loading easy, while the panoramic sunroof and rear-side window shades added to the comfort. The Ascent offered ample storage, including a dashboard shelf and large cupholders, though the latter could be challenging to clean. Cargo space was generous, with 458 litres behind the third row and up to 2,140 litres with seats folded.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 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. 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 had a fuel consumption of 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined. The AWD option, available for the first time in 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, improving fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came standard with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with a fuel consumption rating of 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The Ascent's flat-four engine design provided a lower centre of gravity for improved handling. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, contributing to brisk acceleration and a towing capacity of up to 2,270 kilograms. Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 22 centimetres of ground clearance enhanced the Ascent's off-road capabilities. The SUV's responsive acceleration, excellent visibility, and absorbent suspension made it nimble in urban settings, though the brakes could be overly responsive. On highways, the Ascent's lane-keeping and lane-centring technologies could feel unstable, but turning them off improved the driving experience.

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 personal items and under-console storage for second-row passengers. Standard features included rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats for flexible cargo space. The Pacifica's second- and third-row seats provided plenty of legroom, though taller adults might prefer the middle row. The minivan's cargo area was spacious, offering best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent accommodated up to eight people, though the third row was best suited for children. The SUV offered a comfortable driving position and was equipped for winter weather with features like heated front seats and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second row was easy, thanks to wide rear doors and available captain's chairs. The Ascent provided ample storage, including a dashboard shelf and large cupholders. Cargo space was generous, with 458 litres behind the third row and up to 2,140 litres with seats folded.

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, though a head-up display was not available. The second row's in-seat entertainment system offered games and ports for personal entertainment. The Pacifica's sound system options ranged from a standard six-speaker system to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system in the Pinnacle Hybrid. The Pinnacle model also included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent's base trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services. While the system was user-friendly, its voice recognition technology needed improvement. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, but a premium sound system was not available. Additional technology features on the Premier trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 safety features, with many becoming standard at the Touring-L grade. These included 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 2022 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent's EyeSight driver-assist technology included adaptive cruise control and lane-centring, though it could be affected by direct sunlight. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and available blind-spot monitoring.