2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a sleek and sophisticated appearance, indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterparts except for a subtle “P400e” badge on the tailgate. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, preserving the SUV's clean lines and avoiding any unnecessary styling changes. This approach underscored Land Rover's commitment to design, ensuring the PHEV remained visually appealing despite its higher price tag.

Inside, the Range Rover Sport PHEV exuded luxury with high-quality materials throughout the cabin. The test vehicle, priced at $93,200 with options, featured Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its already impressive presence. Front seats were heated, ventilated, and highly adjustable, though the narrow inboard armrests were less comfortable. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a tall riding position and excellent climate control, making the SUV a favorite among younger passengers.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica received a mid-generation refresh that included a more muscular front end with new LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp spanning the width of the vehicle, adding a modern touch. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents for a sportier look.

Inside, the Pacifica was designed with family life in mind. The cabin featured spacious seating, ample storage, and practical amenities like power-sliding rear doors and Stow 'n Go seats. The Pinnacle trim level took luxury to the next level with quilted leather seats, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The Pacifica also boasted a well-weighted feel and advanced sound-deadening technology, ensuring a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of a 31-mile all-electric range, the test vehicle struggled to stay in EV mode, achieving only 28.4 miles before the gas engine kicked in. The SUV averaged 41.9 mpg in EV mode and 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, a modest improvement over previous models.

The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and various driving modes. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, making smooth stops challenging. Off-road capability remained strong, with a permanent 4WD system and the ability to ford 33.4 inches of water. Recharging the battery took 14 hours using a standard household outlet, but the process was inconsistent, often leaving the battery at only 75% capacity.

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 V6 engine, dual-motor electrically variable transmission, and a 16-kWh battery, producing 260 horsepower. The hybrid model achieved an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, with an impressive 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined.

The Pacifica's AWD system, available for the first time in 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, improving fuel efficiency when not in use. The traditional V6 model achieved 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the AWD version saw a slight decrease in fuel economy. The hybrid model offered a smooth and efficient driving experience, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's higher price tag came with a compromise in cargo space. The battery's placement under the raised cargo floor reduced the already tight 27.5-cubic-foot space, making it challenging to secure items. However, the SUV comfortably seated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The panoramic glass roof added a touch of luxury, though practical storage was limited.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica excelled in family-friendly design, offering spacious seating and ample storage throughout the cabin. The front seats were comfortable, with a padded center console lid replacing traditional armrests. The second and third rows provided plenty of legroom, and the Stow 'n Go seats allowed for easy cargo loading. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making it ideal for family travel.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which proved complex and occasionally frustrating to use. Despite spending time setting up the system, the touchscreen technology often behaved unpredictably, lacking haptic feedback and causing occasional confusion. While the SUV offered advanced technology, it required a tech-savvy driver to navigate its features effectively.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern, customizable, and user-friendly. The system featured a clean design, quick responsiveness, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Pinnacle trim included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with advanced features, and a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system for a premium audio experience. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, adding to the minivan's family-friendly appeal.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including a new steering-assist system. However, the SUV's higher center of gravity and head-toss effect required smooth driving to limit discomfort. The lane-keeping assist system was abrupt, leading to its deactivation during testing. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the SUV's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet rated the model.