Jeep Renegade vs Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, was inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. It shared its underpinnings with the Jeep Compass, but its design was distinct, carrying over the subtle refresh from 2019. The Renegade's interior was modern and functional, with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, offering easy access to controls. It came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each with unique features and equipment.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was a unique offering in the minivan segment, combining practicality with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Despite its minivan appearance, it provided a perfect package for efficiently transporting up to seven people. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with quality leather upholstery and a clean air filtration system. It offered ample storage solutions and a spacious cabin, making it ideal for families. The Pacifica Hybrid's design was more rounded and flowing, which some might find dated compared to more modern, architectural styles.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided better torque and refinement, though the transmission sometimes struggled with smooth shifts. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with impressive maneuverability and visibility, making it a great city car. The Trailhawk trim, with its off-road capabilities, was the only one with Jeep's "Trail Rated" designation.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The electric drive system's torque was immediately available, and the Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible. The Pacifica Hybrid's driving dynamics were unremarkable, with light steering and a somewhat unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted weight. However, its powertrain was praised for its efficiency and seamless operation.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use. Its tall, boxy design provided ample headroom in both rows, and the front seats offered great legroom. The Renegade featured various storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for additional space.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and significant cargo space. It featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and ample storage solutions. 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 Pacifica Hybrid provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second row removed.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kenwood premium audio system was available.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The FamCam overhead camera system was available, and a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system was standard on Limited trim. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered an Amazon Fire TV rear-seat entertainment system, though it was not widely used by passengers in testing.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made several safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. However, the Trailhawk trim did not include emergency braking. The Renegade received a four-star crash test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive package of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system. It offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist, though 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.