2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen had completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, introducing a second generation of its compact crossover SUV. This redesign addressed the original Tiguan’s size issues and aimed to be more competitively priced against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The result was a stylish vehicle with a conservative German design, featuring clean lines and a horizontal grille adorned with VW’s new flat logo. However, closer inspection revealed some cost-cutting measures.

Inside, the Tiguan’s interior was plain and featured dull surfaces and hard black plastic, a far cry from Volkswagen’s previous reputation for superior interiors. The cockpit was simple, bordering on boring, with the focus shifted to electronics. The optional digital dashboard and glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system were highlights, offering a modern, smartphone-like appeal.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, resulting in a revised exterior with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular look. The rear featured 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 stood out from its competitors with a blend of practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The flat dashboard housed a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the interior featured Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds. Quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats added to the upscale feel. The Pacifica also boasted well-weighted doors and advanced sound-deadening technology for a quiet ride.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine drove either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan’s curb weight ranged from 3,757 pounds for the front-wheel-drive model to 3,847 pounds for the all-wheel-drive version. Despite its size, the Tiguan offered a snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, though highway passing with a fully loaded vehicle required patience.

The Tiguan’s handling was impacted by its larger size and longer wheelbase, making it less nimble than some competitors. The suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable ride even on rough roads. The steering firmed up in sport mode but remained light in normal settings. While not the most fun to drive, the Tiguan’s size advantage made it a practical choice.

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, producing 260 horsepower. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered either all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain.

AWD was a new addition to the Pacifica lineup, automatically activating when needed and deactivating 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 in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with slightly lower numbers for the AWD version.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, starting with its second-row seats that could slide up to seven inches, making the third row more usable. The third row, while not spacious, offered enough legroom for shorter adults and children. Front-drive Tiguans came with the third row as standard, while AWD models had it as a $595 option. The split second-row seats folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row collapsed, and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models.

The Tiguan’s front seats offered plenty of hip and shoulder room, and the abundant glass and seating position made it feel roomier than its competitors. This made the Tiguan appealing to those downsizing from larger SUVs or upgrading from smaller vehicles.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats were roomy, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow ’n Go seats with in-floor storage bins were standard. The second-row seats had under-console storage, and the third-row seats offered ample legroom for children and adults.

The Pacifica’s cargo area was spacious, with best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters in the Pinnacle trim. The Stow ’n Go seats tumbled into the floor, allowing for easy loading and maximizing cargo space.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 the following year. The current system, however, was already one of the best on the market. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen with bright colors, responsive touch, and a glass surface. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad.

VW’s Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, was a fully digital instrument panel that could be customized and reconfigured. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, with a clean design and quick responsiveness. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option. The Pinnacle trim featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature.

A six-speaker sound system was standard, with three upgrades available, including a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system. The hands-free sliding doors were offered in mid-grade and above models, adding convenience to the minivan’s features.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan came with an improved standard safety package, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. All models were equipped with Car-Net, a telematics package offering remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location. The Tiguan received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for top-of-the-line SEL Premium models with LED headlights.

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 with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, third-row lock out, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.