2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban presented a bold and polarizing front-end design, borrowing elements from the Camaro's design language. This approach resulted in a combination of small headlights and large, busy grilles that did not favor the Suburban's massive frame. Despite the exterior's divisive appearance, the interior maintained a familiar layout with controls in their expected places, ensuring ease of use. The Suburban offered a range of trims, from the base LS to the luxurious High Country, each adding features like leather upholstery, advanced infotainment systems, and off-road capabilities in the Z71 trim. However, the High Country trim, while upscale, lacked the soft-touch materials found in true luxury SUVs, making it more akin to an upscale pickup.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan stigma, offered a unique proposition with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain. It combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, providing a total 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 interior featured quality materials and thoughtful storage solutions, though its styling appeared somewhat dated. The Pacifica Hybrid's seating was comfortable across all three rows, and it offered significant cargo space, especially with the third-row seats folded. However, the driving experience was unremarkable, with light steering and a lack of cornering grip, making it feel more like an appliance than an engaging vehicle.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of powerful engine options, starting with a standard 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. A more robust 6.2-liter V8 was available, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine provided 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The Suburban excelled in towing capacity, with the 5.3-liter V8 capable of towing up to 8,300 pounds. Its independent rear suspension improved ride comfort, though it still exhibited some truck-like handling characteristics.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid's plug-in hybrid system combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it efficient for short trips. The transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly seamless, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery. During testing, the Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. However, the driving experience was lackluster, with light steering and unremarkable regenerative brakes. The Pacifica Hybrid prioritized efficiency over driving engagement, making it ideal for those seeking practicality and fuel savings.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban boasted impressive cargo space, with 144.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. Even with the second-row seats in use, it offered 93.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, with spacious second-row captain's chairs. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, though the button shifter design was less intuitive. The power-sliding center console was a novel feature, though its functionality was questionable.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three rows of comfortable seating and significant cargo space. The interior featured quality materials, with heated and ventilated front seats and a new clean air filtration system. Storage solutions were abundant, with extra shelves and bins throughout the cabin. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go seats, though they required removal to maximize cargo space. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. Removing the second-row seats increased cargo capacity to 140.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an available navigation system and rear entertainment system. The head-up display provided clear graphics, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The available 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered Amazon Fire TV for its rear-seat entertainment system, though personal devices often sufficed for passengers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options like the rear-view camera mirror and Safety Alert Seat provided additional safety benefits.

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 and a comprehensive package of driver-assist and collision-avoidance features. However, adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist was not available. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars.