2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that included a revised exterior. The new hexagonal grille and standard LED headlights gave the Pacifica a more muscular look, moving away from the elegance of previous models. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp running the width of the vehicle, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents, were also introduced.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by offering a blend of practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The Pinnacle featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds. Quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats added to the upscale feel. The Pacifica also focused on sound deadening, with new windows, seals, and insulation to keep noise at bay.

Volkswagen created the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport by removing the third row from the standard Atlas, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches, and shortening the length by 5.2 inches. This resulted in a bold, sporty appearance, especially in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The interior remained roomy for five people, but the cargo space was reduced to 40.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 77.8 cubic feet maximum.

The Atlas Cross Sport's interior featured a mix of appealing and less impressive elements. The Pure Gray exterior paired well with the Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior, but the hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality. Storage areas lacked rubber or fabric linings, leading to potential rattles and scraping noises. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas Cross Sport offered a spacious and comfortable cabin with plenty of storage options.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered either all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain.

AWD was a new addition to the Pacifica lineup, automatically activating when needed and deactivating to improve fuel efficiency. The hybrid powertrain provided an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models seeing a slight decrease in fuel efficiency.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine, which did not require premium fuel, also had a 5,000-pound towing capacity compared to the turbo-four's 2,000-pound limit. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and VW's 4Motion AWD system available.

The V6 engine felt more energetic in the two-row Atlas Cross Sport, despite its aging design and occasional lack of refinement. The test vehicle averaged 19.2 mpg, slightly less than the larger Atlas. The 21-inch wheels and Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-season tires contributed to a harsh ride quality at lower speeds, while the suspension felt too soft at higher speeds. The Atlas Cross Sport excelled in highway driving, where the ride quality was more agreeable.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and ample storage. The power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats with in-floor storage bins were standard features. The second-row under-console storage and Stow 'n Go third-row bench seat added to the practicality. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and track width with the larger seven-passenger model, providing a roomy interior for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The panoramic sunroof and rear side-window sunshades added to the comfort. The cargo area offered plenty of load-floor real estate, with additional storage underneath.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature. The sound system options ranged from a six-speaker system to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came standard with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch display, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. The infotainment system offered access to Car-Net connected service subscription plans, but the user experience could be frustrating without the Car-Net WiFi hotspot plan.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system as standard. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and IQ Drive. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant system and an Area View 360-degree surround-view camera system. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings but did not earn the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.