2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Nissan Murano

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant mid-generation refresh, showcasing a revised exterior that included new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular appearance compared to its previous elegant design. The rear featured an 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 added darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica stood out with its premium materials and practical design, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which boasted quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The minivan's sound-deadening technology was enhanced, providing a quieter ride.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, once a cutting-edge design, had become more mainstream with its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end. Its interior was conservative, focusing on comfort and ease of use, making it ideal for commutes and road trips. The Murano's trims ranged from the base S to the luxurious Platinum, each adding more features like power-adjustable seats, leather upholstery, and a premium Bose stereo system. The Murano's design emphasized two rows of seating, providing ample headroom and legroom, with partial reclining functionality in the second row.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid version with a V6 engine, dual-motor electrically variable transmission, and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, delivering 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The Pacifica's AWD system, available for the first time in 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, enhancing fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed. The hybrid model boasted an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, achieving 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica offered 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models slightly reducing these figures.

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured a single engine option: a 3.5-liter V6 producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. The V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, though the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano excelled in comfort, offering a smooth ride and refined driving characteristics, making it suitable for commuting and road trips. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, lower than many midsize and compact SUVs.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats provided ample space, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating with in-floor storage bins. The Pacifica's second-row under-console storage was a convenient addition, and the third-row bench seat offered Stow 'n Go functionality. The cargo area was spacious, with the Pinnacle trim providing best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2021 Nissan Murano offered up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with them in use, less than some competitors. However, it compensated with ease of use, featuring a traditional shifter design and a center console with trays and cubbies. The Murano prioritized two rows of seating, providing generous headroom and legroom, with partial reclining functionality in the second row. The SL and Platinum trims included a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors in mid-grade and above models. Its Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The second-row in-seat entertainment system offered a variety of games and connectivity options. Audio upgrades included a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Pinnacle model introduced FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a sensible menu layout and hard buttons for easy navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with available tech upgrades like an 11-speaker Bose stereo system and navigation.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica boasted 97 standard safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key 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 NHTSA.

The 2021 Nissan Murano included standard driver assistance features as part of Nissan Safety Shield 360, such as reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view parking monitor were available.