2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Land Rover Defender brought back the boxy, rugged design that fans had missed since the 2016 LR4. Its squared-off edges, roundish headlights, and short overhangs were reminiscent of classic Land Rovers. The Defender's design included quirky features like step plates on the front fenders and a ladder on the back hatch, though these were more for show than function. The interior was basic and industrial, with cloth seats and exposed screws, emphasizing durability over luxury. Despite its high price, the Defender's interior felt more like a commercial vehicle than a luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica received a mid-generation refresh that gave it a more muscular aesthetic with new LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp that ran the width of the model. Inside, the Pacifica aimed for a premium feel, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which featured quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The dashboard was flat and anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, with plenty of storage options and a well-weighted feel to the doors. The Pacifica managed to balance practicality with a touch of luxury, making it a solid choice for families.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender justified its price with its performance. It featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This mild hybrid system ensured consistent power and quick restarts. The Defender's off-road capabilities were exemplary, aided by Terrain Response 2 and adjustable-height suspension. It could handle steep angles and deep water with ease. The standard engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 296 horsepower, best suited for the smaller two-door 90 model. The Defender's on-road performance was less impressive, with slow steering and a suspension that leaned generously.

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 version with a combined 260 horsepower. The hybrid model had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of more than 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe. The V6 model achieved 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, with slightly lower numbers for the AWD version. The AWD system was a new addition, automatically activating when needed and deactivating to improve fuel efficiency. The Pacifica's performance was geared towards efficiency and practicality, making it a reliable choice for family travel.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was designed for tough conditions, with a focus on durability and functionality. The two-door 90 model could seat up to six people with an optional jump seat, while the four-door 110 model offered an optional third row for seven seats. Cargo space varied from 16 cubic feet in the 90 model to 79 cubic feet in the 110 model with seats folded. The Defender's towing capacity was an impressive 8,200 pounds. The interior was austere but practical, with simple controls and generous headroom and legroom.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind. It featured power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats that tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The Pinnacle trim offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters. The second- and third-row seats provided ample legroom, and the cargo area was spacious enough for family travel. The Pacifica's interior was both practical and comfortable, with plenty of storage options and thoughtful design features.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender featured the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, which was a significant improvement over previous Jaguar Land Rover systems. It included two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air updates. The system had some user interface issues, but overall, it was faster and more reliable. The Defender also offered advanced off-road capabilities, with cameras that showed the ground underneath the front hood and a rearview mirror that doubled as a screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 12-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, with a clean design and quick responsiveness. It featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Pinnacle trim included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat feature. The Pacifica also offered a six-speaker sound system, with optional upgrades to a 13-speaker Alpine system or 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon systems. The technology in the Pacifica was user-friendly and geared towards family convenience.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender came with six airbags and standard safety features like forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and 360-degree cameras. Optional features included rear cross-traffic alerts and alerts upon exiting the vehicle. However, it had not been rated by any U.S. crash testing agency.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).