2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, resulting in a revised exterior. New standard LED headlights flanked the Pacifica’s new hexagonal grille, giving the front end a more muscular aesthetic compared to the elegance of previous years. 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 included darkened features and black accents.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from competitors 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 walked the line between practicality and premium feel. The top-tier Pacifica Pinnacle trim offered a luxurious experience with comfort, soft-touch materials, and classy finishes. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, featured an abundance of Piano Black plastic trim with wood accents and real metal surrounds, making it the poshest new minivan on the market. Quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats completed the upscale look.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy distinguished itself with a different grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, additional lower body trim, unique 20-inch wheels, upgraded interior detailing, and a simulated suede interior headliner. These features, some of which were standard on the 2020 Limited trim, made the Calligraphy look fancier and drew attention, though opinions on its unconventional styling varied.

Inside, the Calligraphy trim offered a luxurious experience with a Beige over Navy Blue color scheme and light, striated simulated wood trim. The quilted and stitched premium Nappa leather, combined with the suede headliner, made the cabin feel like a genuine bargain compared to other midsize three-row SUVs. The Palisade’s interior was plush and well-appointed, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a V6 hybrid engine 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 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 slightly lower at 17 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD), with an optional all-wheel-drive system. Drivers could choose between Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes, with AWD models adding a Snow mode and a Lock function for improved low-speed traction. The EPA estimated a Palisade AWD would return 21 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 21.1 mpg with Smart mode engaged.

The Palisade’s firmer suspension tuning provided excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive without sacrificing comfort. It was sure-footed and confidence-inspiring on twisty roads, though it did not encourage aggressive driving. The Palisade was undemanding to drive in typical scenarios, with plenty of power, easy corner judgment, and agreeable steering and brake modulation. Highway cruising was effortless, thanks to the impressive Highway Drive Assist technology.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats provided a feeling of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Storage space included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin, power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, Stow ’n Go bucket seats with in-floor storage bins, and a Stow ’n Go third-row bench seat.

Second-row passengers benefited from under-console storage that slid outward, providing space for charging cords, tissues, headphones, and art supplies. The second- and third-row seats offered ample legroom, with Stow ’n Go seats that tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel a breeze.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior size, seating, and accessibility. The driver and front passenger enjoyed eight-way power-adjustable seats, with the driver also getting an adjustable thigh support cushion and a heated steering wheel. The front seats and second-row captain’s chairs were heated and ventilated, and third-row passengers had separate climate controls and rear side-window sunshades.

The second-row captain’s chairs provided plenty of legroom and support, sliding forward and back to accommodate passenger and cargo needs. The third-row seat was more accommodating than most other SUVs in the class. The Palisade offered plenty of in-cabin storage space, especially in the front center console and door panels. Cargo space measured 18 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and 86.4 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The hands-free Smart Liftgate automatically opened when it detected the key fob, though this feature could be turned off if desired.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured Uconnect 5, a modern and customizable infotainment system with a graphically appealing and responsive design. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with four new games added to the existing roster. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with 13-speaker Alpine and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon options available. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems: an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen requiring a wired connection. The Calligraphy trim included SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, Blue Link connected services, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. Other features included wireless smartphone charging, a Driver Talk intercom system, Quiet Mode, and a head-up display. A surround-view camera system helped with parking and maneuvering in tight spaces.

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 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and multiple lane-keeping systems. A rear occupant alert system reminded drivers to check the back seat, with a more sophisticated ultrasonic system available on higher trims. Most Palisades included active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems, as well as Safe Exit Assist. The Palisade earned top safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the NHTSA.