2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had a rugged and angular design, a departure from its previous soft-roader styling. Its front fascia, reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner, featured stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille, giving it a mechanical look. Dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills suggested it was more than just a grocery-getter, capable of off-road adventures. The interior was simple and functional, with tasteful shiny trim. While leather upholstery was unavailable, the base fabric seats were comfortable, and the interior materials were of good quality, though not as luxurious as some competitors.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, resulting in a more muscular aesthetic with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp running the width of the model, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. The S Appearance Package added darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which offered 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.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid boasted 219 horsepower, 16 more than the standard version, and an impressive combined EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon. This fuel efficiency was consistently achievable in real-world driving. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, delivering power to all four wheels. The first electric motor provided up to 118 hp to the front wheels, while the second motor, mounted under the cargo floor, delivered 54 hp to the rear wheels. The hybrid system's clever design eliminated the need for a heavy driveshaft, improving handling and fuel economy. The RAV4 Hybrid's engine felt well-matched to the vehicle, offering quick acceleration and smooth regenerative braking. It could tow up to 1,750 pounds and featured light steering and a soft suspension for easy driving.

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-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered AWD or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system activated on-demand based on various conditions, improving fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed. 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 in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with slightly lower numbers for the AWD version.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch screen was optional) positioned atop the center dashboard. The center console included space for a cell phone, two cupholders, and a large storage bin. The cabin was comfortable for long trips, with a spacious rear seat offering impressive legroom. The cargo area provided 37.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity, and the hybrid hardware did not compromise interior or cargo space, maintaining the same 98.9 cubic feet of passenger volume as the standard RAV4.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and ample storage. The front seats allowed for a feeling of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and Stow ’n Go seats. The second- and third-row seats provided plenty of legroom, and the Stow ’n Go seats tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The cargo area was spacious, with the Pinnacle trim offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced Android Auto alongside Apple CarPlay, with both features standard. The infotainment system included a USB-A port on the dash, with additional USB-A charging ports in higher trims. The RAV4 Hybrid also featured Predictive Efficient Drive, which optimized battery usage based on driver inputs and navigation data. Drivers could select from Eco, Sport, Trail, and Normal drive modes to suit their preferences.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the second-row in-seat entertainment system included new games. The Pinnacle trim added FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat. The sound system options ranged from a six-speaker setup to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system, providing a high-quality listening experience.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking, dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and had two safety recalls for engine coolant leaks and suspension issues.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered 97 standard safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.