2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a testament to Subaru's strategy of adapting to the crossover trend by enhancing its Impreza hatchback with rugged aesthetics, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and a higher driving position. This approach mirrored the success of the larger Outback, which had outlasted many station wagons in the U.S. market. The Crosstrek distinguished itself from the Impreza with black body cladding, unique 17-inch wheels, and a raised ride height offering 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These modifications gave the Crosstrek an SUV-like appearance and more character than the Impreza, further accentuated by vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. Despite its SUV mimicry, the Crosstrek retained the Subaru Global Platform, ensuring a refined driving experience, although the interior remained functional yet plain, with some questionable design choices like clashing color accents.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid embraced its minivan identity, offering practicality and efficiency over rugged aesthetics. Despite the stigma associated with minivans, the Pacifica Hybrid provided a unique proposition as a plug-in hybrid with three rows of seating, a feature not found in any mainstream SUV. The Pacifica Hybrid's design was not particularly striking, even with the S Appearance Package, and it came with a hefty price tag. However, it offered a comfortable interior with premium materials, although its styling appeared somewhat dated compared to more modern designs. The Pacifica Hybrid's appeal lay in its practicality and efficiency, making it a compelling choice for those prioritizing functionality over style.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrains, with the Sport and Limited trims featuring a 2.5-liter boxer-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with a 2.0-liter engine delivering 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The boxer engine's design, a Subaru hallmark, provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling despite the SUV-like ride height. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on lower trims, while a CVT was available and standard on higher trims. All models came with AWD, featuring torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved traction on loose surfaces. The Crosstrek's handling was predictable, with a comfortable ride and low wind noise, although the higher center of gravity resulted in noticeable body roll. The new 2.5-liter engine offered modest performance improvements, with adequate acceleration but noticeable CVT droning.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The electric drive system provided immediate torque, ensuring the Pacifica never felt underpowered, even when fully loaded. The van could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, contributing to an impressive average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg during testing. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain seamlessly transitioned between electric and gasoline modes, offering a smooth driving experience. However, the driving dynamics were uninspiring, with light steering, unremarkable brakes, and limited cornering grip. Despite these shortcomings, the Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was praised for its efficiency and ease of use.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity compared to other small crossovers. It provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded. The Crosstrek included a rear-seat reminder system and a convenient front cubby with USB ports, although rear passengers lacked charging options. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was excellent due to the large side windows and low front fascia.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three spacious rows of seats and ample cargo space. It featured triple-zone climate control, quality leather upholstery, and numerous storage solutions, including a large floor tray and a long storage bin behind the center console. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go seats, although they required removal to maximize cargo space. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Pacifica Hybrid offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded. Removing the second-row seats increased capacity to 140.5 cubic feet, surpassing many SUVs.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured the Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and additional features like WiFi and SiriusXM. The system was user-friendly, with large analog controls for essential functions. Subaru also included a secondary display for additional information, although its redundancy was noted.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, offering appealing graphics and a user-friendly interface. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system allowed for five user profiles and included features like FamCam for monitoring rear passengers. However, voice recognition was inconsistent, and the Harman Kardon sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered an optional rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV, although personal devices were preferred by passengers during testing.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS for the 2020 model. It offered standard EyeSight driver-assist features on CVT-equipped models, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. EyeSight's cameras were well-protected but had limitations in certain conditions.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety features than any other vehicle, including a rear-seat reminder system. It provided a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, although adaptive cruise control lacked lane-centering assist. The system required manual intervention in certain situations, such as when vehicles exited the lane or cut in front. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.