2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that included a revised exterior. New standard LED headlights flanked the Pacifica’s new hexagonal grille, giving the front end a more muscular aesthetic compared to the previous three years. The rear featured a new all-LED taillamp running the width of the model, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents, were also introduced.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by offering a blend of practicality and premium features. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, stood out with its luxurious design, 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 added to the upscale feel. The minivan also featured well-weighted doors and advanced sound-deadening technology for a quieter ride.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its conservative yet timeless design, aligning its new front styling with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models. The restyled grille, new VW logo, and standard LED headlights contributed to its refreshed look. The Tiguan lineup was simplified to S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970, featured a sportier look with Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a richer-looking cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color options. However, the hard plastic covering the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button engine starting, and heated front seats. The SE trim and above added remote engine starting, new interior colors, and a panoramic glass sunroof.

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 for 2021, activated on-demand based on various driving conditions and deactivated to improve fuel efficiency when not needed.

The Pacifica Hybrid had 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 slightly lower at 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the front wheels, with VW’s 4Motion AWD available as an option. The AWD system could decouple the rear axle to save fuel when not needed. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for 4Motion models.

The Tiguan’s Hill Descent Control system engaged in Offroad mode, but with just 7.6 inches of ground clearance, it was best suited for well-traveled paths. The engine’s torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. The Tiguan achieved an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined, with our test drive averaging 24.7 mpg. The ride and handling were nimble and responsive in normal driving situations, but the tires and suspension struggled when pushed for outright fun.

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 included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin for various items. 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 second-row passengers benefited from under-console storage that slid outward, providing space for charging cords, tissues, and other items. The second and third rows offered plenty of legroom, with Stow ’n Go seats that tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The Pacifica Pinnacle boasted best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel a breeze.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, a giant among compact crossover SUVs, offered a spacious interior comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. FWD models included a standard third-row seat, while 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line featured comfortable leather-wrapped front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The panoramic glass sunroof added to the cabin’s airy feel.

The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults and children, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard for 2022 added sophistication but proved harder to use. Cargo space was among the best in its class, with FWD models offering 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The 4Motion model provided 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology that elevated its minivan capabilities. Hands-free sliding doors were available in mid-grade and above models. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, Chrysler’s most modern and customizable system, offered a graphically appealing and responsive interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with navigation that rerouted quickly even in urban settings. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with four new games added to the existing roster.

Audio options included a standard six-speaker system, a 13-speaker Alpine system, and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon systems. 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 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base Tiguan S, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

Natural voice recognition was a touted feature of MIB3, but it required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. Car-Net offered a complimentary Remote Access plan for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, and vehicle location tracking. The Safe & Secure plan included automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

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 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert). The IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems included Travel Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which slowed the SUV and brought it to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).