2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V, like many compact crossovers, shared a similar design language with its competitors, making it difficult to stand out in a crowded market. Its exterior styling was marked by a few distinguishing features, such as the grille and some chromed plastic accents, but overall, it wasn't a vehicle purchased for its looks. The colour palette offered limited variety, with several shades of grey, black, and white dominating the options, and only a few units available in more vibrant colours like Radiant Red. Inside, the CR-V presented a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of materials that improved with higher trims, but it still faced stiff competition from more distinctively styled rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid embraced its minivan identity, offering practicality over style. Despite the addition of the S Appearance Package, the Pacifica Hybrid wasn't a head-turner, but it excelled in functionality. The interior featured quality materials like black Nappa leather, and the design, while softer and more rounded, provided a comfortable and spacious environment. The Pacifica Hybrid's unique selling point was its plug-in hybrid capability, offering an electric-only driving range that set it apart from other minivans and three-row SUVs. However, its price point was on the higher side, even with available federal and provincial EV rebates.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for thrilling performance but rather for reliable and smooth driving. It came equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup provided adequate acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in about 8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. The CR-V offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. Its suspension system, featuring a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, ensured decent handling and ride quality, though it lacked the engagement found in some competitors with conventional automatic transmissions.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, on the other hand, delivered a unique driving experience with its plug-in hybrid powertrain. Combining a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, it produced a total of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 51 kilometres on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. Its regenerative braking system helped extend the electric range, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was seamless. However, the driving experience was more utilitarian, with light steering and unremarkable regenerative brakes. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain impressed with its efficiency and ability to handle speed humps with ease.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free tailgate operation, enhancing convenience when accessing the cargo area. Roof rails were standard on most trims, adding to its practicality for carrying additional loads.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, with three rows of seating and substantial cargo space. It offered 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the third-row seats folded. Removing the second-row seats increased the cargo capacity to 3,978 litres, surpassing many full-size SUVs. The interior featured triple-zone climate control, quality leather upholstery, and numerous storage solutions, making it a versatile choice for families. However, the second-row seats did not offer the Stow n’ Go feature, requiring manual removal for maximum cargo space.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims included features like a 300-watt audio system, satellite navigation, and a wireless phone charger. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB and 12-volt outlets available throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM satellite radio. The system allowed for multiple user profiles and included the FamCam overhead camera system for monitoring rear passengers. A 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available, though it required some adjustment for optimal sound quality. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat entertainment, though personal devices were often preferred by passengers.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety technologies as standard across all trims, including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base trim was blind spot monitoring.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system and a comprehensive package of driver-assist technologies. However, adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist was not available. The Pacifica Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated at four stars.