2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant mid-generation refresh, resulting in a more muscular exterior with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. This redesign gave the Pacifica a robust aesthetic, moving away from the elegance of previous models. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp spanning the width of the vehicle, with the Chrysler wing badge at its centre. Inside, the Pacifica offered a premium feel, especially in the Pinnacle trim, with features like a flat dashboard, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and upscale materials such as quilted Nappa leather seats and wood accents. The Pacifica's design was practical yet luxurious, with sound-deadening technology enhancing the driving experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor updates from the previous year. The Execline trim featured R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels, contributing to its upscale look. The Atlas's interior was simple yet premium, though some materials felt low-cost, with hard plastics detracting from the overall quality. Despite this, the Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, with genuine leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof available in higher trims. The Atlas's design was functional, with a focus on practicality and comfort, though it lacked the refinement of the Pacifica.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine with a 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 fuel efficiency when not in use. The traditional V6 Pacifica had a fuel consumption 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 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel for maximum output. The V6 engine, optional for some trims and standard for the Execline, produced 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Atlas's V6 could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, but its acceleration was leisurely, and the engine lacked refinement. The Atlas featured driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the 4Motion AWD system providing additional calibrations. The V6's fuel consumption was 12.2 L/100 km combined, with the AWD system decoupling the rear wheels to improve efficiency.

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 space. The Pacifica's cargo area provided best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making it ideal for family travel. The interior included under-console storage for second-row passengers and ample legroom for all occupants.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space, comfortably seating seven adults with sufficient head and legroom. The SUV's low step-in height made entry and exit easy, and the cabin featured numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, causing items to slide around. The Atlas offered 583 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,741 litres with the second and third rows folded. The Atlas's interior was practical and accommodating, with features like heated seats and a panoramic sunroof available in higher trims.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was responsive and easy to use, though it lacked a head-up display. The Pacifica offered an optional second-row entertainment system with games and multiple ports for connectivity. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, with an 8-inch display standard and a 10.25-inch version available in higher trims. The Atlas featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. However, the system was slow to load, and the user experience was cumbersome, with issues in tuning and voice recognition. The Execline trim included a 12-speaker Fender audio system, but the infotainment system's usability detracted from the overall experience.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 safety features, with most becoming available at the Touring-L grade. These included automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Pinnacle grade added features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated it.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included standard safety features like automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, and Side Assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and an adaptive front lighting system. The Execline trim featured Area View and Park Assist technology. However, the Atlas's Lane Assist system had issues with old construction markings, and the parking sensors were overly sensitive. The Atlas received four-star ratings in frontal-impact tests from the NHTSA and did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.