2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that gave it a more muscular aesthetic with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. This design shift moved away from the elegance of previous models, yet retained sophistication as seen in the streamlined sides and rear, featuring an all-LED taillamp with the Chrysler wing badge. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which boasted comfort and premium materials like quilted Nappa leather seats and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Pacifica's sound deadening technology was enhanced with new windows, seals, and insulation, ensuring a quiet ride.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a conservative yet timeless design with creased and symmetrical lines. The refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen's larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan offered four trim levels in Canada, all with standard 4Motion AWD. The R-Line models had a sportier look, and the Highline R-Line trim featured a rich cabin with leather upholstery, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting. Despite the upscale appearance, the hard plastic in the lower cabin revealed its mass-market status. The Tiguan's exterior and interior updates added a touch of pizzazz, keeping it fresh until a full redesign.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. AWD was available for the first time in 16 years, automatically activating when needed to improve traction. The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with a fuel efficiency of 2.9 L/100 km equivalent. The traditional V6 Pacifica had a combined fuel consumption of 10.6 L/100 km, which increased to 12.0 L/100 km with AWD.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the 4Motion AWD system, which decoupled the rear axle when not needed to save fuel. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Despite its 19 cm ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. The engine's torque arrived later than some competitors, causing momentary turbo lag. The Tiguan's fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 L/100 km combined, with a test drive averaging 9.5 L/100 km.

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. It featured rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating for flexible cargo space. The Pacifica's second-row under-console storage and ample legroom made it comfortable for passengers. The cargo area provided best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making family travel convenient.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line trim offered leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and excellent outward visibility. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, accommodating children and adults comfortably. The Tiguan's cargo space was among the best in its class, with 1,064 litres of luggage volume behind the back seat and a maximum capacity of 2,078 litres in the two-row configuration.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system included games and ports for personal entertainment. The Pinnacle model offered FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system offered an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The Highline R-Line included a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. The Tiguan also offered Park Assist for autonomous parking.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 safety features, with most becoming standard at the Touring-L grade. These included automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. The Pinnacle grade added adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and lane departure warning. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with available Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, while Emergency Assist slowed the SUV if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with improvements expected for 2022.