2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that included 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 rear featured a new 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, which added darkened features and black accents, were also introduced.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium touches. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, aimed at luxury customers, featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim with wood accents, and quilted leather seats. The minivan also boasted sound-deadening technology, ensuring a quiet ride.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe impressed with its value proposition. Despite its reasonable price, the Santa Fe felt like it should cost more due to its quality materials and advanced features. The lineup included two new gasoline engines and a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, with trim levels ranging from SE to Calligraphy. The exterior saw significant changes, including a redesigned front end with new running lights, grille, and bumper.

Inside, the Santa Fe moved upmarket with new colors, patterns, and textures. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, featured premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The new bridge-style center console housed electronic transmission controls and other settings, while a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel added a high-tech touch. The Calligraphy’s interior exuded quality, with fit and finish that made it feel like a steal at its price point.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine paired with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 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. The AWD system, new for 2021, activated on-demand based on various driving conditions and deactivated to improve fuel efficiency when not needed. The Pacifica Hybrid 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 AWD models.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims featured a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe Hybrid combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric drive motor, producing a total of 226 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The Limited and Calligraphy trims boasted a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with the turbocharged engine providing impressive performance and fuel efficiency. Both powertrains achieved 24 mpg in combined driving, with the turbo slightly more efficient on the highway.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and ample storage. The front seats provided a sense of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow ’n Go seats with in-floor storage bins. The second-row under-console storage and Stow ’n Go third-row bench seat added to the minivan’s practicality. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel a breeze.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe provided ample passenger room without a third-row seat. All trims featured dual-zone automatic climate control, with stain-resistant fabric for cloth seats and leather available for higher trims. The Calligraphy trim offered premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. Comfort features included an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat provided plenty of legroom and comfort, with air-conditioning vents, quick-charge USB ports, and rear side-window sunshades. The Santa Fe offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured Uconnect 5, a modern and customizable infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with new games added. Audio options included a six-speaker system, a 13-speaker Alpine system, and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon systems. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat feature.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was loaded with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch head-up display. The basic 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch screen included upgraded voice-recognition technology and enhanced Blue Link connected services. The 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system provided excellent audio quality. Blue Link offered a range of connected services, including remote engine start and climate control adjustment. The Santa Fe also featured Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist technology.

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, lane-departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, 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 Santa Fe offered an impressive array of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist used blind-spot monitoring sensors to warn occupants of approaching vehicles or cyclists. The rear-occupant alert system detected movement within the SUV for up to 24 hours. Blind-Spot View Monitor displayed a video view within the digital instrument cluster. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and lane-following technologies. The Santa Fe earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with LED projector headlights.