2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-gen Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly similar to the 2019 model, had 90% new parts and direct injection, offering 182 horsepower. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly in the head- and taillights, but the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims and the innovative DriverFocus system, which used facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness.

The Outback was available in seven trims, starting with the 2.5i at an MSRP of $26,645, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, starting at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Limited trim, at $33,445, added features like blind-spot monitoring and a power liftgate. The Touring trim, priced at $37,345, offered ventilated front seats and a sunroof. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, included the turbo engine and off-road enhancements. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims followed, adding the turbo engine for $37,745 and $39,695, respectively.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, featuring a revised exterior with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular look. The rear showcased 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 also introduced.

Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, especially in the new Pinnacle trim, which featured premium materials and finishes. The dashboard housed a 10.1-inch touchscreen, the largest in its class, with a clean design and responsive interface. The Pinnacle trim also included quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The Pacifica’s doors had a well-weighted feel, and the minivan featured enhanced sound deadening technology for a quieter ride.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower. The 2.5-liter engine provided 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the turbo engine delivered a 0-60 time of around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that mimicked a traditional automatic transmission, reducing the typical CVT drawbacks. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system was active all the time, providing consistent power delivery and better handling. The Outback also had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable off-road, though not to the extent of a Jeep.

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 hybrid version combined a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower. The Pacifica’s AWD system, available for the first time in 16 years, activated on-demand based on various conditions and deactivated to improve fuel efficiency when not needed. The hybrid model offered an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, with 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, with slightly lower numbers for the AWD version.

The 2020 Subaru Outback provided 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. The low load height and lower center of gravity improved handling and reduced rollover risk. Visibility was excellent, though the rear quarters had a significant blind spot.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, featuring spacious seating and ample storage. The front seats had a padded center console lid, and the second-row seats included under-console storage. The Pacifica’s Stow ’n Go seats tumbled into the floor for easy loading, even in AWD models. The cargo area was spacious, with the Pinnacle trim offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing but suffered from lag and buried climate-control functions. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern, responsive, and customizable. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The second-row in-seat entertainment system offered games and various ports for external devices. 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 sound system options ranged from a six-speaker setup to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2020 Subaru Outback included a standard safety suite with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was unreliable and often triggered false alerts.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with 97 standard safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key features 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).