2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Genesis GV70

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 was marked by 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 stood out from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim. This top-tier model boasted a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and quilted leather seats, creating a luxurious feel without compromising on practicality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, while inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models, maintained a unique appearance with its quad LED strips and large shield-shaped grille. The sloping roofline and ribbed detailing added a muscular profile, blending SUV bulk with athletic elements. The Sport Prestige model featured unique styling, including 21-inch wheels with a web pattern and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's elliptical theme was inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with minimalistic design elements like a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents. The interior offered a variety of color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery in the Sport Prestige model. However, base models came with leatherette seats. The GV70's interior design was both daring and functional, though it compromised on storage space.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 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 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 Pacifica Touring and Touring L models 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 various 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, 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 reducing these figures.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode sharpened throttle response and maintained high revs, though the chassis lacked the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX and BMW X3. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but fell short of luxury driving standards, with a firm ride on 21-inch wheels and less precise steering. Despite its sporty features, the GV70's overall character leaned more towards comfort than performance.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The removal of armrests in favor of a padded center console lid enhanced the feeling of togetherness in the front seats, while still providing ample storage space. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating with in-floor storage bins. The Pacifica's second-row under-console storage and Stow 'n Go third-row bench seat added to its practicality. The cargo area was spacious, with the Pacifica Pinnacle offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The GV70's daring interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, it included a covered storage cubby with USB ports for phones. The Sport Prestige model's front seats were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were less accessible.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors and the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system was responsive and customizable, though it lacked a head-up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the second-row in-seat entertainment system offered a variety of games. The Pacifica's 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 unique features like a rear-facing child seat view.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system's tile-based layout and glass rotary controller were both functional and visually appealing. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch head-up display, with a 3D effect enhancing the graphics. The GV70 included a digital-key feature and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services provided remote camera activation and other features, free for three years.

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, 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 Genesis GV70's crash-test ratings were unavailable, but it came standard with numerous safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. The GV70 also featured eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The system performed well on highways, though its lane-centering function struggled with curves.