2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant exterior refresh, giving it a more robust appearance with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. This update shifted the Pacifica's aesthetic from elegance to a more muscular look. Despite these changes, the van retained some of its original sophistication, especially noticeable along its 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 a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Pacifica's doors had a solid, well-weighted feel, and the vehicle featured enhanced sound deadening technology for a quieter ride.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban shared its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup, giving it a supersized appearance with a tall hood and long proportions. The Suburban was available in six trims, each offering different grille, fascia, and wheel designs. Our RST test vehicle featured a striking Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior with 22-inch wheels, giving it a sporty look. Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin with varying levels of comfort, from the base LS to the plush High Country. The RST trim included 10-way power seats and Jet Black perforated leather with Victory Red stitching. However, the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel a bit dark. The Suburban's size provided ample space for passengers and cargo, but it also made maneuvering and parking challenging in tight spaces.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid version with a V6 engine, dual-motor electrically variable transmission, and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, 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, reintroduced after 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions to improve fuel efficiency. The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 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 AWD models slightly lower.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-liter V8, part of the Sport Performance package, provided noticeable power and acceleration, especially during towing tests. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds. Most trims came with rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive available as an option. The independent rear suspension improved ride quality and increased cargo space.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats provided ample space and a sense of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Storage options included an under-stack area for personal items. 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 for passengers. The Pacifica's cargo area was spacious, with best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in passenger and cargo space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. The third row offered adequate space for adults, and access was easy. The Suburban boasted 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. The power-sliding center console provided additional storage, though the Suburban's size made maneuvering and parking challenging in tight spaces. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls was a notable change from previous models.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors on 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 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 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of technology features, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 10.2-inch display on higher trims. Wireless device charging and a WiFi hotspot were standard on LT and above. Audio options ranged from a basic six-speaker system to a premium Bose CenterPoint system on higher trims.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with 97 standard safety features, increasing to 100 on the Pinnacle trim. Key features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban included the Chevy Safety Assist suite, with features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with specific ratings for crash protection and rollover resistance.