2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious and commanding driving experience. Its upright layout and aggressive front bumper design gave it a rugged appearance, although it wasn't intended for off-roading. The two-tone roof and red wheel center accents added a touch of modern style. Inside, the Seltos featured a clean, intuitive design with upscale influences, such as a seamless LCD screen for climate controls and a well-integrated touchscreen atop the dash. The various trim levels, from LX to SX Turbo, provided a range of features, including leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and advanced driver assistance systems.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, while not a visual stunner, was a practical and efficient minivan. Its plug-in hybrid drivetrain combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, offering a total output of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The interior was comfortable, with quality leather upholstery, triple-zone climate control, and ample storage options. However, the Pacifica's rounded styling made it appear dated compared to more modern designs. Despite this, it remained a highly functional vehicle for transporting up to seven people efficiently.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims offered a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided brisk acceleration and better highway performance. The Seltos also featured a Drive Mode dial with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout, the Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid's plug-in hybrid drivetrain was based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery. During testing, the Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. However, the driving experience was unremarkable, with light and uncommunicative steering, grabby brakes, and limited cornering grip. Despite these drawbacks, the Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was efficient and well-suited for its intended purpose.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered impressive cargo space for a subcompact SUV, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious vehicles in its class. The interior featured numerous storage compartments, including large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors, a spacious center console, and a tray between the front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, making the Seltos a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, with three rows of comfortable seats and ample cargo space. The interior featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were plentiful, including extra shelves in the front door panels, a large floor tray under the center console, and a long storage bin behind the center console. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go seats, but they did not fold into the floor. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, with cupholders, USB ports, and side window shades. The Pacifica Hybrid offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a Bose premium sound system. The larger screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside other information. However, the system had some quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when plugged in and only one data-capable USB port. Despite these issues, the infotainment system was generally straightforward and intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for easy navigation.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The system offered appealing graphics, a simple user interface, and quick response times. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. However, the voice recognition technology was hit-or-miss, and the Harman Kardon premium sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV was a notable feature, but it might be unnecessary for families with their own devices.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included a suite of driver-assistance features, such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The Seltos also featured a helpful alert for when the vehicle in front had moved away at a stoplight.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive list of standard safety and security features, including a rear-seat reminder system. It offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist, although the adaptive cruise control needed refinement. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.