2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant exterior refresh, featuring new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille that contributed to a more muscular aesthetic. This design shift moved away from the elegance of previous models, yet retained a touch of sophistication as the eye traveled from the front to the sides and rear. The rear showcased 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 included darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica distinguished itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The interior featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and quilted leather seats, creating a luxurious feel. The Pacifica also emphasized sound deadening technology, ensuring a quiet ride.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, despite its age, maintained a rugged and utilitarian design that appealed to those seeking durability and timeless styling. The 4Runner's two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches conveyed balanced proportions and undeniable utility. Available in SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trims, the 4Runner offered a range of special editions, including the Trail Special Edition. This model featured dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels and a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket. Inside, the Trail Special Edition boasted black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, and a sliding rear cargo tray. The interior was characterized by hard plastics, large knobs, and buttons, reflecting the SUV's mission of simplicity and durability. The 4Runner's charm lay in its straightforward, no-nonsense approach, appealing to those who valued a reliable and enduring vehicle.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain combining a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, delivering 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 either all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, reintroduced after 16 years, activated on-demand based on various conditions to enhance traction and fuel efficiency. The Pacifica Hybrid boasted 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 Pacifica delivered 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models slightly reducing these figures.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine generating 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Trail Special Edition, tested in off-road conditions, showcased the benefits of the A-Trac off-road traction control system, which helped navigate challenging terrains. The 4Runner's part-time 4WD drivetrain required manual shifting into 4-Hi or 4-Lo, and the Trail Special Edition did not offer automatic 4WD. The SUV had a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. On paved roads, the 4Runner felt slow and heavy, with truck-like driving characteristics that added to its charm. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with an EPA rating of 17 mpg combined and 19 mpg on the highway. During testing, the 4Runner averaged 16.8 mpg, resulting in an average range of about 385 miles with its 23-gallon fuel tank.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical features. The front seats provided ample space and a sense of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing traditional armrests. Storage options included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin for various items. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and Stow 'n Go seating with in-floor storage bins. The second-row under-console storage offered additional space for passengers. The Pacifica's second and third-row seats provided sufficient legroom, with Stow 'n Go seats allowing for easy cargo loading. The rear cargo area was spacious, with the Pinnacle trim offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's high ground clearance posed a challenge for shorter passengers, but once inside, the SUV offered comfortable seating with good support. The back seat provided generous legroom, visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The 4Runner's open-air feeling was enhanced by the sunroof, power windows, and rear tailgate glass. A third-row seat was available, but the test vehicle featured a sliding cargo deck with a 440-pound capacity. Cargo space measured up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition's roof rack added extra storage capacity. Interior storage was decent, with practical features like the back bumper serving as a convenient seating area.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors on mid-grade and above models. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered a modern and customizable experience, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. The system was responsive and easy to use, though it lacked a head-up display. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. Audio options included a standard six-speaker system and upgrades to a 13-speaker Alpine system or 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon systems. The Pinnacle model introduced FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat functionality.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition had limited technology features due to its position on the trim ladder. It included a windshield wiper de-icer system and a 120-volt AC power outlet in the cargo area. The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, point-of-interest search, and voice recognition, along with a subscription to Destination Assist concierge services. The system's physical buttons and knobs were user-friendly, even with gloves, and the software provided effective voice recognition and navigation capabilities.

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, 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 Toyota 4Runner featured Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated its roof crush strength as "Good." The SUV's protection for the driver in a small overlap frontal-impact collision was rated as Marginal by the IIHS, and the NHTSA gave the front passenger protection a three-star rating in a frontal-impact crash.