2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that included a revised exterior. The new standard LED headlights flanked a hexagonal grille, giving the Pacifica a more muscular look compared to its previous elegant design. The sophistication of the original design remained evident as the eye moved from the front to the sides and rear, where a new all-LED taillamp spanned the width of the model, featuring the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Chrysler also introduced six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents to the exterior.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by walking a line between ruggedness and premium quality. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, aimed at luxury customers, featured practical yet comfortable and classy finishes. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, included Piano Black plastic trim with wood accents and real metal surrounds, making it the poshest new minivan on the market. Quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats completed the upscale look. The Pacifica also boasted well-weighted doors and advanced sound-deadening technology for a quieter ride.

Cadillac had been working to restore its reputation for refinement, and the XT5 was a testament to that effort. Updated for the 2020 model year with 40 upgrades, including a new engine option and revised styling, the 2021 XT5 carried these changes forward. The SUV featured standard LED lights at the front and back, highlighting its beefy proportions and sophisticated posterior. Twenty-inch wheels were standard, adding to its robust appearance.

Inside, the XT5's design was more upscale than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer. The cabin featured sweeping horizontal design lines and straightforward materials positioned thoughtfully. The Premium Luxury trim level exuded elegance with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents. However, the interior did not offer the same level of luxury as the Escalade, but it was a significant improvement over previous Cadillac models.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a V6 hybrid engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered either all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, new to the Pacifica lineup, activated on-demand based on various driving conditions to improve fuel efficiency and performance.

The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of more than 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models seeing a slight decrease in fuel efficiency. The hybrid powertrain provided a smooth and efficient driving experience, making it a strong contender in the minivan market.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 came in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was smooth when upshifting but clunkier when downshifting. The Sport drive mode made shifts more jittery.

The XT5's throttle response was immediate with the V6, but it lacked low-end torque for confident acceleration. The engine start-stop technology was seamless, except for the heating and air conditioning shutting down during stops. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in various driving conditions, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the AWD V6. The base engine achieved 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD. These figures were comparable to rivals like the Infiniti QX50 and Acura RDX.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats provided ample space and a sense of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Storage options included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin for purses or muddy shoes. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, Stow 'n Go bucket seats with in-floor storage bins, and a Stow 'n Go third-row bench seat.

The Pacifica's second- and third-row seats offered plenty of legroom, with Stow 'n Go seats that tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The rear cargo area was spacious, with the Pinnacle trim offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters. The Pacifica's design and features made it a practical and comfortable choice for families.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 had enough room for four adults in two rows, though it technically seated five with a three-seat bench in the second row. The back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants, but legroom was good in both rows. The front seats were not as comfortable as they appeared during extended road trips due to a hard bottom cushion. Heated front seats were standard, with available heated and ventilated seats that activated based on the car's climate.

The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the Nissan Murano and Lincoln Nautilus, but benefited from a deep rear cargo area. However, wheel bump-outs minimized the width of the space. The cargo-management system allowed for dividing and securing loose items, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight and small map pockets.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology that elevated its minivan capabilities. Hands-free sliding doors were available on mid-grade and above models. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern, customizable, and responsive, with a clean design. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though a head-up display was not offered. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with four new games added to the existing roster.

The Pacifica offered a six-speaker sound system, with available upgrades to a 13-speaker Alpine system and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon options. The 20-speaker Harman Kardon system provided a high-quality listening experience. The Pinnacle model featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 had a streamlined infotainment system and center stack, with climate controls housed in Piano Black plastic that provided haptic feedback. The tri-zone automatic climate control's temperature was adjusted via a chrome toggle switch, though it often ran colder than displayed. Heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard rear seats were available.

The XT5's standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen housed numerous functionalities, with a rotary controller on the center console for screen navigation. The system included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, AUX port, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and USB-A and USB-C ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hot spot and 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. A rear camera mirror and head-up display were also available, providing useful information and reducing distractions.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, third-row lockout, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2021 Cadillac XT5's safety features included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Rear-seat reminder and a rearview camera were standard. The available Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, allowing large wildlife and hazards to be seen at a distance. General Motors' Teen Driver software was also standard, allowing parents to limit vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.