2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

As part of its mid-generation refresh, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica experienced a significant exterior revamp. The introduction of new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille brought a more muscular aesthetic to the Pacifica’s streamlined front end. This update moved slightly away from the elegance seen over the past three years, but the sophisticated design was still apparent from the van's sides and rear. The rear was adorned with a new all-LED taillamp that spanned the model's width, featuring the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Buyers enjoyed six new wheel designs for 2021 and the S Appearance Package, which replaced chrome accents with darkened features and black accents, adding a touch of sportiness.

Inside the Pacifica, Chrysler diverged from the designs seen in competitors like the 2021 Toyota Sienna and 2022 Kia Sedona. While the Sienna emphasized spaciousness with its hardy materials, and the Sedona opted for a utility-focused aesthetic, the Pacifica struck a balance, edging toward premium in higher trims like the Pinnacle. The Pinnacle trim embodied luxury, featuring a class-leading 10.1-inch touchscreen, abundant Piano Black trim with wood accents, and authentic metal surrounds. Quilted leather seats, plush suede pillows for the center row, and Beber floor mats added to the upscale experience. Despite its high-style, the Pacifica was engineered to be sturdy, with substantial doors that closed with a satisfying thud. Special attention was given to soundproofing, with new windows, seals, and insulation to keep out road, engine, and external noises.

For the 2021 Nissan Rogue, a handsome new design lent it a more rugged, SUV-like appearance. It featured dark gray plastic cladding around the lower perimeter and bold skid plates, along with lower door protection. Clean LED lighting elements and a prominent V-Motion grille gave the Rogue a modern, balanced look. Aluminum wheels came standard across trim levels, sized up to 19 inches, enhancing the aesthetic. Optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment imbued the Rogue with a custom feel.

Four versions of the Rogue were available: the base S, the popular SV, the more luxurious SL, and the new Platinum trim, which featured semi-aniline quilted leather and upscale amenities. Each trim level boasted distinctive styling and premium materials, with the Platinum trim standing out for its quilted leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

The test model, an SL, impressed with its Almond-colored leather interior and standard panoramic glass sunroof that brightened a roomier cabin. The controls were thoughtfully arranged, and the use of soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars added to the sense of quality. Despite its nod to 1980s digital clocks on the climate control panel, the Rogue was not technologically outdated, boasting wireless Apple CarPlay and a CD player for varied preferences.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with two powertrain options. The traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine, mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox, delivered 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Alternatively, the hybrid model combined a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, yielding 260 horsepower. The base Touring and mid-tier Touring L featured the V6 engine as standard, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered either AWD or the hybrid powertrain.

AWD made a return to the Pacifica lineup for the first time in 16 years, featuring an on-demand system that engaged based on conditions like temperature slip, stability control activation, and rough road detection. This system deactivated when highway conditions didn't require its use, thus improving fuel efficiency. The Hybrid model had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range exceeding 500 miles, achieving 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 delivered 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD reducing those numbers slightly.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Rogue was criticized for its powertrain. With an only engine option, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, it felt underpowered for its nearly 3,500-pound weight. However, the CVT managed to make the most out of the available torque and included paddle shifters for a pseudo-manual feel. Despite its criticism, the Rogue offered noteworthy adventuring capabilities, thanks to AWD, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes.

The Rogue’s underpowered engine suggested a more robust powertrain might be introduced later, potentially a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder akin to the Altima sedan and Infiniti QX50. Drive modes such as Sport and Eco aimed to enhance or conserve energy, depending on the driving scenario. During testing, the Rogue SL with FWD achieved 27.5 mpg, slightly underperforming its official EPA rating.

Despite powertrain limitations, the Rogue excelled in ride and handling. Its architecture, comprised of 35% high-strength steel, paired with intelligent systems like Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and new Vehicle Motion Control. These features, alongside a strut front and multi-link rear suspension, and 19-inch wheels on the testing model, made the Rogue smooth and predictable, with improved steering feel due to a better assist setup and quicker ratio.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was tailor-designed for family life. Upfront, the removal of armrests for a padded center console lid enhanced a sense of togetherness without compromising storage space, such as the handy under-stack bin ideal for various small items. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power-adjustable first and second-row windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and clever storage solutions like the under-console drawer for second-row passengers.

The Pacifica's second and third-row seats provided ample legroom for children and adults, with the Stow ‘n Go feature allowing seats to fold into the floor for flexible loading space. Unlike rivals, even AWD models came with Stow ‘n Go seats. At the rear, the Pacifica offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel more convenient by offering substantial cargo space.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue aimed for comfort with redesigned and improved Zero Gravity seats across trim levels. These ranged from cloth in the base S model to premium leather in the Platinum trim. Features like Quick Comfort heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear seats were available in higher trims. The cabin comfort was enhanced despite the absence of ventilated seats.

The Rogue prioritized family convenience with standard air conditioning, dual-zone for SV trims, and triple-zone in SL and Platinum trims. Rear air conditioning vents and side window sunshades added to family comfort. The Rogue offered generous headroom and legroom, easier rear-seat loading through wide-opening doors, and capacity for three child safety seats with a central LATCH anchor. Noise reduction improvements, such as aerodynamic enhancements and acoustic glass, provided a quieter cabin.

Storage solutions included a storage tray under the center console and easily accessible door pockets. Higher trims featured a power rear liftgate and a Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. SL and Platinum trims provided up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with a total capacity of 74.1 cubic feet with rear seats folded.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was the most modern FCA had developed. It was responsive, cleanly designed, and included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Though it lacked a head-up display, the navigation system was user-friendly and quick to reroute. The second-row in-seat entertainment played auxiliary media and games, with the available FamCam monitoring camera offering unique features like a child seat view.

Audio options ranged from a six-speaker system to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium setup providing an elevated listening experience. Hands-free sliding door operation added functional convenience in mid-grade models and above.

Nissan’s infotainment offering for the 2021 Rogue began with an 8-inch touchscreen that encompassed Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Move up to SV or SL trims, and the Rogue added NissanConnect Services, WiFi hotspot, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. A larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, door-to-door navigation, and a Bose premium audio system were included in the SL Premium Package and Platinum trim.

Platinum trim also brought cutting-edge tech like wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Despite some usability quirks with knobs and buttons, the Rogue’s system was user-friendly and provided comprehensive technology options.

Chrysler outfitted the 2021 Pacifica with 97 safety features, swelling to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety tech 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 lockout, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

Nissan made safety a priority in the 2021 Rogue, bundling numerous advanced safety features in the Safety Shield 360 suite, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, but replaced adaptive cruise control with a blind-spot warning system. This choice was praised, as blind-spot warning systems significantly improved safety.

The Rogue was equipped with ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system, with added rear pre-tensioning and load-limiting seatbelts in Platinum trim. ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology further enhanced safety, providing adaptive speed adjustments based on navigation data. While crash-test results were pending, the new architecture’s increased high-strength steel and improved crash engineering suggested robust safety performance.