2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that included a revised exterior. The new standard LED headlights flanked a hexagonal grille, giving the Pacifica a more muscular look compared to its previous elegant design. The sophistication of the original design remained evident as the eye moved from the front to the sides and rear, where a new all-LED taillamp spanned the width of the model, featuring the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Chrysler also introduced six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents to the exterior.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from other minivans like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona. While the Sienna emphasized spaciousness with hardy materials and the Sedona opted for a utility-vehicle-like flat design, the Pacifica struck a balance. The lower-cost Voyager was rough-and-ready, while the Pacifica offered a premium feel, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The Pinnacle trim featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, real metal surrounds, quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The doors felt well-weighted, and sound deadening technology kept road noise at bay.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the 2015 model, received updates in 2017 that carried over to 2021. The 2017 model introduced standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the 2020 update improved the infotainment system. For 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving the LS and LT trims. The LS trim included 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto was standard.

The LT trim added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. It also featured upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet. The LT trim offered styling packages like the Redline Edition, Sport Edition, and Midnight Edition. The Driver Confidence Package added driver assistance features, and the LT Convenience Package included a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and keyless open and start.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine paired with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The base Pacifica Touring and Touring L came standard with the V6 engine, with the hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive (AWD) as options. The upmarket Pacifica Limited and Pinnacle were available with either AWD or the hybrid powertrain.

AWD was a new addition to the Pacifica lineup, automatically activating on-demand based on various conditions to improve fuel efficiency. The hybrid powertrain, designated as the Pacifica Hybrid, offered 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 AWD models dropping to 17 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Trax offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled to provide additional power for highway speeds or passing, making plenty of noise in the process. The Trax had a firm ride that could be harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius provided solid maneuverability in tight spaces, making it a sensible choice for city dwellers.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, from the powertrain to the cabin and rear cargo area. The front seats were spacious, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests to create a feeling of togetherness. Storage space included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin for purses, to-go bags, or muddy shoes. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power first- and second-row windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, Stow ’n Go bucket seats with in-floor storage bins, driver’s side Stow ‘n Assist, and a Stow ‘n Go third-row bench seat.

The Pacifica also offered under-console storage for second-row passengers, sliding outward to provide a bin for charging cords, tissues, headphones, and art supplies, as well as cup holders. The second- and third-row seats provided ample legroom, with Stow ‘n Go seats that tumbled into the floor for float loading, even on AWD models. The rear cargo area was spacious, with the Pacifica Pinnacle offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided respectable headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but poorly bolstered rear seats that were harsh over long distances. The front featured multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. The Trax offered 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat folded flat to accommodate larger items. These cargo figures were mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment, and there was no option for a power liftgate or hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured useful technology that elevated the minivan's best features. Mid-grade and above models offered hands-free operation for the traditional push-button sliding doors. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern, customizable, graphically appealing, and quickly responsive, though it lacked a head-up display. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second row's in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with four new games added to the existing roster of nine.

A six-speaker sound system was standard, with three upgrades available: a 13-speaker Alpine system and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon options. The 20-speaker Harman Kardon system provided a high-quality listening experience. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, a highlight of the Trax. The system featured easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and hard buttons and dials surrounding the screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Trax came standard with an array of airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. However, the Trax lacked many standard driver safety features found in rivals, such as forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning.