2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that gave it a more muscular aesthetic with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. This change moved away from the elegance of previous models, but the sophistication remained evident as the eye moved to the sides and rear. The back featured a new all-LED taillamp running the width of the model, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Chrysler also introduced six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by walking a line between rugged utility and premium luxury. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, aimed at luxury customers with features like quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, combined with Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds, made it the poshest new minivan on the market. The doors had a well-weighted feel, and sound deadening technology kept road noise at bay.

Toyota gave the 2021 RAV4 a rugged-looking exterior reminiscent of a traditional SUV, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This aggressive styling stood out against the competition and added to the perception that the RAV4 was more than just an ordinary vehicle. However, under the sheet metal, the RAV4 was based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models like the Camry and Sienna.

The RAV4 offered several options to enhance its appearance, such as the Adventure model with an Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, and the TRD Off-Road with matte black wheels and red interior accents. Inside, the RAV4 featured rugged styling touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles. Material quality was good on lower trims but didn't elevate with higher prices. The TRD Off-Road model had SofTex upholstery, which was lighter than leather but didn't offer real leather even on the top trims.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine paired 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.

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 slightly lower at 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a "Dynamic Force" 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and loved to rev, with power peaking at 6,600 rpm. However, the transmission struggled to keep up, and the steering lacked feel, making for a less dynamic driving experience. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime offered more power and better fuel economy, with the Prime producing 302 horsepower.

On the highway, the RAV4 provided a quieter cabin and a comfortable ride, but its off-road capabilities were more notable. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road models featured a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity. However, the RAV4's suspension articulation and approach, departure, and breakover angles were limited for serious off-roading.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats allowed for a feeling of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Storage included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin, power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats with in-floor storage bins. The second-row under-console storage slid outward, providing space for charging cords, tissues, and other items.

The Pacifica's second- and third-row seats offered ample legroom, with Stow 'n Go seats that tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The cargo area was spacious, with the Pinnacle trim offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 provided competitive headroom in both rows and good outward visibility, but legroom was slightly behind competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat didn't slide fore and aft like some competitors, and cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, slightly behind the Honda CR-V. The oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls were easy to use, but the center-console storage was limited.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured Uconnect 5, a modern and customizable infotainment system with a clean design and quick responsiveness. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional second-row in-seat entertainment system offering games and various ports. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature. Audio options ranged from a six-speaker system to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, with higher trims offering 8- or 9-inch screens. The infotainment system was easy to use but not flashy, with a well-positioned touchscreen and shortcut buttons. The RAV4 Prime offered a head-up display, but the gasoline RAV4 did not.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, 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 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist.