2021 Buick Envision vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2021 Buick Envision had undergone a significant redesign after two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, available in China and North America, positioned itself between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave in Buick’s lineup. The 2021 model was lower and wider, boasting a more premium crossover styling that gave it a planted appearance. It featured three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut in the Envision lineup. The Avenir models came with upgraded exterior elements, including a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific pearl nickel wheels, while the interior featured leather-appointed seating and a head-up display.

The Envision’s cabin design was driver-centric, with the center stack angled towards the driver, creating a tighter front cabin feel. Despite stylish design choices, the use of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust. The Envision rode on 18- or 20-inch wheels, depending on the trim level, and all models came with LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. The Avenir grade, in particular, stood out with its premium features, making it competitive with luxury-level SUVs.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite being a minivan, offered a unique package for efficiently transporting up to seven people. Its plug-in hybrid drivetrain was based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total system output of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery during driving.

The Pacifica Hybrid’s interior was designed for comfort and utility, with triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and ample storage options. The second-row seats were more comfortable than those in the standard Pacifica, though they did not offer the Stow n’ Go feature. The third-row seat provided reasonable comfort, and the cargo space was impressive, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This was a downgrade from the previous model’s 252 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the Envision’s performance was more about comfortable cruising than sporty driving. The front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel efficiency improved, with the FWD model achieving 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, while the AWD model managed 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery. During testing, the Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. The transition between electric and gasoline power was smooth, and the powertrain operated efficiently without requiring driver intervention. However, the driving experience was unremarkable, with light steering, grabby brakes, and limited cornering grip.

The 2021 Buick Envision’s redesign resulted in less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. Cargo capacity also decreased, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger’s access to controls, and forward visibility was poor. However, the Envision offered standard heated front seats, power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, with three rows of comfortable seats and ample cargo space. The second-row seats were more comfortable than those in the standard Pacifica, though they did not offer the Stow n’ Go feature. The third-row seat provided reasonable comfort, and the cargo space was impressive, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and ample storage options.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and displayed necessary functionalities clearly. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system allowed for five user profiles and simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered an available rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV, a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included a following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and lane-keeping assist. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.