2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant mid-generation refresh, resulting in a more muscular exterior design. The new hexagonal grille and standard LED headlights contributed to a robust front-end appearance, moving away from the elegance of previous models. Despite these changes, the Pacifica retained some of its original sophistication, particularly noticeable along its sides and rear. 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 included darkened features and black accents, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

Inside, the Pacifica distinguished itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium features. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim exemplified this approach, offering a luxurious experience with quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The interior featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, complemented by Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds. The Pacifica's doors provided a solid, well-weighted feel, and the vehicle's sound-deadening technology ensured a quiet ride, thanks to improved windows, seals, and insulation.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a diverse lineup with eight models, ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding the destination charge. The Explorer King Ranch, our test vehicle, featured 4WD, Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, bringing its MSRP to $59,880. Visually, the King Ranch was similar to other Explorer models, with King Ranch emblems, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. The Explorer's rear-drive platform allowed for a long hood, short front overhang, and a rakish roofline, creating a sporty appearance. Inside, the King Ranch boasted exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding.

The King Ranch's cabin combined quality materials with some less impressive elements, typical of vehicles with diverse model lineups. While the interior mostly justified its price, occasional reminders of the base trim were evident. The Explorer's design emphasized a sporty look, with blacked-out roof pillars creating a "floating roof" effect. The King Ranch trim offered a comfortable and stylish interior, but the mix of materials highlighted the Explorer's broad appeal across different price points.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 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 AWD or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, reintroduced after 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, enhancing fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed. 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 2022 Ford Explorer provided three powertrain options. The base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD, with 4WD available. This engine offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and up to 24 mpg in combined driving. The Explorer Limited offered an efficient hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.3-liter V6 engine, generating 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, towing up to 5,000 pounds, and achieving 27 mpg in combined driving. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, standard on ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, delivered 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds and 21 mpg in combined driving. The King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg, offering robust power and acceleration. The Explorer's ride felt more like a traditional SUV, handling off-road terrain with ease, while the sport-tuned Explorer ST provided an engaging driving experience.

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 with a rubberized bin, ideal for various items. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, Stow 'n Go bucket seats with in-floor storage, and a Stow 'n Go third-row bench seat. 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 loading. The rear cargo area was spacious, with the Pacifica Pinnacle offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2022 Ford Explorer catered to families of four, with the option to carry five people with a second-row bench seat. The King Ranch trim featured triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. Massaging front seats were standard, with 14-way power adjustment for drivers and eight-way for front passengers. While the front and second-row seats were comfortable, the third-row seat was challenging for adults to access, with limited legroom. The Explorer's cabin lacked practical storage solutions, with limited center console space and missed opportunities for additional storage. The King Ranch test vehicle had a hands-free power liftgate, revealing 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expandable to 47.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

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, customizable experience with a clean design and responsive interface. While lacking a head-up display, the navigation system was user-friendly and efficient. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enhanced connectivity. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. Audio options included a standard six-speaker system, with 13-speaker Alpine and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon upgrades. The 20-speaker Harman Kardon system provided a high-quality listening experience. The Pinnacle model featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat functionality.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The smaller screen integrated well with the interior, while the larger screen appeared as an afterthought. The King Ranch test vehicle included FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation. Additional features included wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. The Explorer's Sync 3 system lagged behind the newer Sync 4 technology, with limitations in voice recognition and feature operation. The King Ranch also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system.

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, third-row lockout, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated the model.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for all trims. While the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for 2022, the previous year's model received five-star ratings, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. The Explorer featured Ford Co-Pilot360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. Additional safety features included post-collision braking and MyKey programmable functions. The Explorer's safety systems operated smoothly, though steering wheel sensitivity could be improved.