2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity, however, contributed to its timeless appeal, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint added to its visual appeal, though some design elements like the taillights and roof C-pillar could have been improved. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch cattle-brand logos, which sparked mixed reactions from passengers. Despite the luxurious feel, the presence of hard plastic in lower trims was a drawback, especially given the high price point.

In contrast, 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. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp running the width of the model, adding to its sophisticated look. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which featured quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard design, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the use of premium materials made it one of the poshest minivans available.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience. The Expedition offered a towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 9,200 pounds with four-wheel drive. Its adaptive damping suspension and independent rear suspension design contributed to a comfortable ride, although the oversized 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy on imperfect pavement. The Expedition averaged 17.7 mpg in real-world driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

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 hybrid powertrain with a combined output of 260 horsepower. The V6 engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid used a dual-motor electrically variable transmission. The Pacifica introduced an all-wheel-drive system that activated on-demand based on driving conditions, improving fuel efficiency when not in use. The hybrid model boasted 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 achieved 22 mpg combined, dropping to 20 mpg with AWD.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo carrying, and passenger hauling. The King Ranch variant featured power running boards for easy access, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class comfort, and the third-row seat was spacious enough for adults. The standard-length Expedition offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded. The long-wheelbase Expedition MAX provided even more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, featuring spacious seating and ample storage. The front seats were comfortable and allowed for a feeling of togetherness, with a handy under-stack area for additional storage. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow ’n Go seats for easy cargo loading. The second- and third-row seats offered plenty of legroom, and the Pacifica Pinnacle provided best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters. The under-console storage for second-row passengers and the spacious cargo area made family travel convenient and comfortable.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which was user-friendly but sometimes slow to respond. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist were notable highlights, especially for those who frequently towed trailers.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was equipped with Uconnect 5, a modern and customizable infotainment system. It featured a clean design, quick responsiveness, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system offered a variety of games and ports for external devices. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with advanced features like rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat. The available 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system provided a high-quality listening experience.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests and a 4-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered 97 standard safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies 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 NHTSA.