2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior with Nissan's new signature design. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its traditional robust and athletic styling. The SUV featured a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, giving it a modern look similar to the Nissan Kicks, Rogue, and Pathfinder. However, the interior remained somewhat dated, with a mix of modern and older design elements. The leather seating was comfortable, but other design choices, like the rouched material on the door panels, made the interior appear past its prime.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was a unique offering in the minivan segment, combining practicality with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. While not a standout in terms of aesthetics, the Pacifica Hybrid provided a comfortable and functional interior. The black Nappa leather upholstery added a touch of quality, but the overall design felt soft and dated compared to more modern, angular styles. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid embraced its minivan identity, offering a practical and efficient solution for families, especially with its electric-only driving range.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. It featured a 7-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD, making it a capable off-roader despite its hefty weight of over 2,700 kilograms. The Armada's fuel efficiency was less impressive, with an estimated 17.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 15.4 combined. However, it excelled in towing capacity, offering a best-in-class 3,856-kilogram maximum.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, on the other hand, combined a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing 260 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid system allowed for an electric-only range of 51 kilometres, making it ideal for short commutes. The Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres, thanks to its regenerative braking system. While the driving experience was not particularly exciting, the powertrain's efficiency and seamless transition between electric and gasoline modes were commendable.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality with its spacious interior, though access required a bit of a climb. The SUV featured a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, but its broad dashboard made some controls hard to reach. The Platinum trim offered comfortable captain's chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to seven. Cargo space was adequate, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 2,692 litres with seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading challenging for shorter individuals.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, providing three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The interior featured triple-zone climate control, quality leather upholstery, and numerous storage solutions. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n’ Go seats, though they required removal for maximum cargo space. The Pacifica Hybrid offered 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row and up to 3,978 litres with seats removed, surpassing many full-size SUVs.

The 2021 Nissan Armada boasted a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with features like navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and rear-seat entertainment system. While the steering wheel controls were functional, they lacked the sophistication found in other SUVs.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and offered a FamCam system for monitoring rear passengers. The available 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system required some adjustment for optimal sound quality. The Pacifica also offered Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat entertainment, though personal devices were often preferred by passengers.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot warning. However, it lacked advanced driving assist technologies like ProPilot Assist. The NHTSA gave it a three-star rollover rating due to a 23.7-percent rollover risk.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety features than any other vehicle. It included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist. However, 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.