2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a design that was more refined and athletic than its predecessors. Its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a recognizable and handsome appearance. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal. Despite its high price tag, the interior materials felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior lacked the luxury feel expected at its price point, making it less appealing compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

In contrast, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that enhanced its exterior with new LED headlights and a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular look. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp and the Chrysler wing badge, adding to its sophisticated design. Inside, the Pacifica offered a premium experience, especially in the Pinnacle trim, with quilted leather seats, wood accents, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Pacifica's interior was designed with comfort and luxury in mind, making it a standout in the minivan segment.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines, with the ST trim featuring a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and addictive power. The Explorer's rear-wheel-drive chassis provided excellent weight distribution, enhancing its nimble handling and cornering capabilities. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 horsepower and a hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. However, the hybrid's fuel economy did not justify its additional cost. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pacifica also offered a hybrid powertrain with a total range of over 500 miles and an all-electric range of more than 30 miles. The hybrid delivered 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The Pacifica introduced all-wheel drive for the first time in 16 years, with an on-demand system that activated automatically based on driving conditions. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the AWD version saw a slight decrease in fuel efficiency.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample interior space, making it suitable for long road trips. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof, enhancing passenger comfort. The third row was spacious enough for short journeys, although the bench was too flat for extended trips. The Explorer offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches made it easy to operate, although the thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats provided a sense of togetherness, while the under-stack storage area was perfect for personal items. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating. The Pacifica's second- and third-row seats offered ample legroom, and the Stow 'n Go feature allowed for easy cargo loading. The Pacifica Pinnacle boasted best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making it ideal for family travel.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was well-organized, it lacked innovation, and system updates required an external WiFi connection. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ offered semi-automated driving features, but its performance was not as refined as competitors.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was modern, responsive, and easy to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the navigation system rerouted quickly. The Pacifica offered an optional in-seat entertainment system with games and multiple ports for personal devices. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view. The Pacifica's sound system options ranged from a six-speaker setup to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system, providing a high-quality listening experience.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer received an Acceptable rating in the IIHS small overlap test on the driver's side, but the NHTSA had not yet tested it.

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, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although the IIHS had not yet rated it.