2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant exterior refresh, giving it a more muscular appearance with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. This change marked a departure from the elegance of previous models, while still retaining some sophistication as the eye moved to the sides and rear. The rear featured a new all-LED taillamp spanning the width of the vehicle, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica stood out from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by offering a premium feel, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which boasted quilted leather seats, suede pillows, and Beber floor mats. The interior was practical yet luxurious, with a flat dashboard and a 10.1-inch touchscreen, complemented by Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, still in its second generation since its 2005 launch, carried over the 2018 refresh into 2021. This refresh introduced the dual-screen center console, a defining feature of Land Rover interiors. The Range Rover Sport offered a variety of trims, each with distinct features. The base SE trim included leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-speaker Meridian sound system. Higher trims like the HSE Silver and Autobiography added luxury features such as quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and 22-way power-adjustable front seats. The SVR and SVR Carbon Edition focused on performance, with a powerful V8 engine and sport seats. The Range Rover Sport's interior was luxurious, with ample headroom and legroom in the first and second rows, though the optional third row was best suited for children.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid powertrain combining a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, new to the Pacifica lineup, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, enhancing fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed. The Pacifica Hybrid boasted an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range exceeding 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 achieved 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with a slight decrease when AWD was added.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more powerful P400 version, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition offered plug-in hybrid and diesel options, with the P400e plug-in hybrid achieving 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition boasted a more powerful version with 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, with a height-adjustable air suspension and Terrain Response system for various terrains. The Range Rover Sport could tow up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seating area was roomy, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests, providing ample storage space. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating with in-floor storage bins. The second-row under-console storage was a convenient addition, offering space for charging cords and other essentials. The Pacifica's seats provided sufficient legroom for children and adults, with Stow 'n Go seats allowing for easy loading. The cargo area was spacious, with the Pinnacle trim offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, though it provided only 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space when in use. The first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was best suited for children. The Range Rover Sport's cargo space was adequate for road trips or extra bags, though more spacious options were available.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors in mid-grade and above models. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. The Pacifica offered a range of sound system upgrades, with the 20-speaker Harman Kardon system providing a high-quality listening experience. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat functionality.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen controlling climate and vehicle settings, and the upper screen housing the infotainment system. While the system had a learning curve, it featured dials for multiple functions and a simplified touchscreen layout. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, along with a real volume button. Despite some bugs in earlier models, the system offered a decent user experience, though there were better systems on the market.

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, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet rated the model.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available at an extra cost. Other available features included a surround-view parking camera and driver drowsiness monitoring.