2022 Subaru Forester 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 other minivans like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona. While the Sienna emphasized spaciousness and the Sedona opted for a utility-vehicle-like design, the Pacifica balanced practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The Pinnacle offered comfort, soft-touch materials, and classy finishes, including a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds. Quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats completed the upscale look. The Pacifica also featured well-weighted doors and advanced sound-deadening technology for a quieter ride.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in various trims, including the new Wilderness model, which we tested in Bend, Oregon. The Wilderness trim featured a white exterior, dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945. An option package added a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate, bringing the total to $36,014. The Wilderness trim included a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, giving it a rugged look.

Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with hard plastic and soft surfaces creating a cabin that exuded quality and clarity of purpose. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for stereo, climate, and main menu shortcuts. The Wilderness trim also featured copper-colored stitching and accents, adding a touch of style. The Forester's interior was practical, with easy-to-use controls and a well-made feel, although the Wilderness's cladding and matte-black hood decal were not universally appealing.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 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 and deactivated to improve fuel efficiency when not needed.

The hybrid powertrain provided an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 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 AWD system operated smoothly, engaging and disengaging without noticeable changes, and the hybrid models used both on-road driving and wall charging to power the battery.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and AWD, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply and a towing capacity of 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated the Forester Wilderness's fuel economy at 26 mpg combined, and our test drive in central Oregon averaged 25.9 mpg.

The Forester's engine emitted the characteristic grumble of a boxer-style engine, and the CVT featured eight programmed ratios, providing a smooth driving experience. The Wilderness trim included SI-Drive for a more lively response and Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system, which managed speed during hill descents and re-engaged automatically when needed. The Wilderness's longer springs and shocks improved ground clearance to 9.2 inches, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, from town roads to off-road courses, although it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

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 feeling of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Storage options included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin, 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 second-row passengers benefited from under-console storage that slid outward, providing space for charging cords, tissues, headphones, and art supplies. The second and third-row seats offered plenty of legroom, with Stow 'n Go seats that tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The Pacifica's cargo area was spacious, with best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters in the Pinnacle trim, making family travel a breeze.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit and a practical interior. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable material on the rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, allowing for a three-person roof tent.

Comfort levels were high in both the front and back seats, with tall seating positions providing excellent visibility. Rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports added to passenger comfort, and the back seat easily held two adults. Storage space included bins in each armrest, bottle holders in each door panel, dual front seatback pockets, and cupholders in the fold-down center armrest. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof) with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors in mid-grade and above models. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, with a clean design and quick responsiveness. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the second-row in-seat entertainment system offered four new games, including Connect Four. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature.

A six-speaker sound system was standard, with three upgrades available: 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, and the navigation system was easy to use and read on the fly.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. The Premium trim offered access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting through an active Starlink plan. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a 180-degree forward-view camera.

The Harman Kardon audio system produced clear, rich sound, and the navigation system was helpful, although a breadcrumb function would have been useful. The PIN Code Access feature allowed owners to leave the key fob in the SUV and use a PIN code to re-enter the vehicle, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

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 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with twice the field of vision of the previous system. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology that monitored for drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).