2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Volvo XC90

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 previous three 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 and luxury. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, offered premium features such as quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The dashboard was flat, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and included Piano Black plastic trim with wood accents and real metal surrounds. The minivan also featured enhanced sound deadening technology, making for a quieter ride.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo’s image with its design, maintaining traditional styling features like a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille. However, the details made the difference, with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights. The Inscription trim level added extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, making it the flashiest of the XC90 trims.

Inside, the XC90 embraced “Swedish minimalism” with thoughtfully arranged, nice-looking materials. Matte-finish wood trim and wool upholstery options added a natural touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a high-end feel. The interior was designed to be functional without overwhelming the occupants with flash, offering a restrained yet luxurious environment.

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 V6 hybrid engine paired with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, 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 more than 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 the AWD version.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, achieving 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque.

The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, with AWD optional, while the T6 and T8 had standard AWD. Despite the impressive power output, the small engine struggled to provide flexibility, especially at low speeds. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only practical at low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality and old-school luxury, with an optional air-suspension system and a quiet cabin. It also had a respectable 5,000-pound towing capacity for most models.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats provided a sense of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Storage options included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin, power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow ’n Go seats with in-floor storage bins.

The second-row seats had under-console storage that slid outward, providing space for charging cords, tissues, and other items. The third-row seats offered ample legroom, and the Stow ’n Go feature allowed for easy loading. The Pacifica Pinnacle boasted best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel convenient.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with headroom and legroom in all three rows being average for the segment. The third-row space was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. An optional power moonroof and standard four-zone climate control enhanced the interior’s spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but storage space was limited.

Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model was near the bottom of the segment, with 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The hands-free power tailgate added convenience.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was graphically appealing, responsive, and easy to use. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional second-row in-seat entertainment system offering games and various ports. The sound system options ranged from a six-speaker setup to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with advanced features.

The 2021 Volvo XC90’s Sensus infotainment system emphasized simplicity and functionality. Standard features included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The touchscreen was user-friendly, but the text and typeface made reading menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad was also too small for most phones.

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 NHTSA.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist offered smooth and quick reactions but struggled with highway curves.