2020 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was easily recognizable with its signature Jeep round headlights, 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It had a purposeful yet expressive design that appealed to many. The primary trim levels included Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with the latter being the best for off-roading. Special editions ranged from the affordable Jeepster to the pricey High Altitude. The base Renegade Sport trim level started at $25,210, while the High Altitude trim, loaded with extras, brought the MSRP to $36,515. This version featured extra-cost paint, trendy dark gray 19-inch wheels, and a dual-pane panoramic glass roof, giving it a surprisingly grown-up look. However, the interior, dominated by hard plastic, looked inexpensive despite the fancy details.

In contrast, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, featuring new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular aesthetic. The rear had an 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, with darkened features and black accents, were available. 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 housed a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the cabin was filled with soft-touch materials and classy finishes, making it a solidly premium vehicle.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission was standard with both engines, with FWD on base models and AWD on higher trims. The turbocharged engine, tested in the High Altitude trim, provided peak torque at 1,750 rpm, making the Renegade feel energetic. However, turbo lag and a transmission calibrated for fuel economy led to a lack of response during acceleration. The Renegade averaged 23.6 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 26 mpg, and had a small 12.7-gallon fuel tank. The Trailhawk trim, designed for off-roading, offered the best driving dynamics, while the overall ride was flinty with sloppy steering and a loud cabin.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with either a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque or a V6 hybrid engine paired with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower. The base Touring and Touring L trims had the V6 engine, with AWD and hybrid powertrain as options. The Limited and Pinnacle trims offered AWD or hybrid powertrain only. The AWD system, new to the Pacifica lineup, activated on-demand based on driving conditions and deactivated to improve fuel efficiency. The hybrid model 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 city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD reducing these figures slightly.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade's interior felt larger than its competitors due to its boxy design, panoramic glass roof, and vertical side glass. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat made it easy to get comfortable, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Rear seat space was cramped, and there were few practical interior storage spots. Cargo volume measured 18.5 cubic feet behind the back seat and 50.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and ample storage. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, Stow ’n Go seats, and a spacious cargo area. The second- and third-row seats provided plenty of legroom, and the Stow ’n Go seats tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel a breeze.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade impressed with its technology, featuring the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Kenwood premium audio system offered good sound, and the comprehensive driver information center allowed for configurable features. A parking assist system was available for both parallel and perpendicular spaces.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica elevated minivan technology with Uconnect 5, offering a modern and customizable infotainment system. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system, with upgrades to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Pinnacle trim featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature. The second row's in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games and ports for personal entertainment.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered an Advanced Tech Group with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Safety and Security Group added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Renegade earned a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and commendable scores from IIHS, though it did not retain its Top Safety Pick rating from 2019.

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, lane-departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.