2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to capture the growing market for crossovers with its rugged appearance, standard all-wheel drive, and elevated driving position. It shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Legacy and Outback, offering a refined driving experience. The Crosstrek stood out visually with black body cladding, model-specific alloy wheels, and a higher ride height, providing 22 centimetres of ground clearance. While the interior remained largely unchanged from the Impreza, it featured functional but plain aesthetics, with some vibrant colour options like Plasma Yellow Pearl adding character.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was a unique offering in the minivan segment, combining practicality with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Despite its minivan image, it provided a compelling package for transporting up to seven people efficiently. The Pacifica Hybrid's design was not particularly striking, even with the S Appearance Package, but it offered a spacious and comfortable interior with premium materials. The minivan's rounded styling appeared somewhat dated compared to more modern designs, but it embraced its identity without trying to disguise its minivan roots. The Pacifica Hybrid's pricing was on the higher side, but federal and provincial EV incentives helped make it more affordable.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre boxer-four engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 2.5-litre boxer-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, available on the Outdoor and Limited trims. The boxer engine design, a Subaru trademark, provided a lower centre of gravity for improved handling, although the SUV-like stance somewhat negated this benefit. The Crosstrek came with a six-speed manual transmission for the 2.0-litre engine, while most buyers opted for the continuously variable transmission (CVT). All trim levels featured standard all-wheel drive, with X-Mode enhancing off-road capability. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Crosstrek excelled on pavement, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, delivering a total output of 260 horsepower. The electric drive system provided immediate torque, ensuring the Pacifica never felt underpowered, even when fully loaded. The minivan could travel up to 51 kilometres on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system helped extend the electric range, while the transition between electric and gasoline power was seamless. The Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres, outperforming its rival, the Toyota Sienna. However, the driving experience was somewhat uninspiring, with light steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and limited cornering grip.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered competitive passenger space, with the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback. It provided slightly more rear headroom and a total cargo space of 588 litres with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,565 litres with the seats folded. While it offered more cargo space than some competitors, it lagged behind others like the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos. The Crosstrek featured a rear-seat reminder system and a practical front cubby with USB and auxiliary ports, though rear-seat passengers had limited access to USB ports. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was excellent due to the large side glass.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three rows of comfortable seating and ample cargo space. It featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were abundant, with extra shelves, a large floor tray, and a long storage bin behind the centre console. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go seats, though they required removal to maximize cargo space. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, with cupholders, USB ports, and side window shades. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the third-row seats folded, and up to 3,978 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured the Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The system was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions. Subaru also included a second screen above the main touchscreen for additional information display. The EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via chunky steering wheel buttons, ensuring ease of use.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, offering appealing graphics and a simple user interface. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The system's voice recognition technology had some limitations, but the 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system provided excellent audio quality. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat entertainment, though it was less popular with tech-savvy teenagers who preferred their own devices. The surround-view camera system and parking assist features added convenience, though the latter was deemed less effective than traditional driving skills.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS. It featured EyeSight driver-assist technology with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The system's cameras were well-protected but had limitations in certain conditions. The optional blind-spot monitoring system was effective, with prominent warning lights on the exterior mirrors.

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 and collision-avoidance features. However, adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist was not available. The Pacifica's adaptive cruise control needed refinement, as it was slow to resume speed and overly cautious in moderate traffic. 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.