2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

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 with premium touches. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, offered a luxurious experience with quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, combined with Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds, made it the poshest minivan available. The doors felt well-weighted, and sound deadening technology kept the cabin quiet.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, extending its length by 1.6 inches and adding revised front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty new character lines. The sharp body lines contrasted with lower body cladding, and new alloy wheel designs completed the exterior updates. Inside, the instrument panel and center console were separated to emphasize a more horizontal layout, giving the interior a wider look. New ambient lighting and a rear USB port added sophistication and convenience.

The most exciting updates were the new N Line and Kona N trims, which brought unique styling elements and performance features. The N Line had exclusive black seats with red stitching, a black headliner, and alloy sport pedals, while the Kona N featured wide fenders, 19-inch alloy wheels, and N sport bucket seats. The Blue Wave exterior color and N Line-exclusive 18-inch wheels gave the test vehicle a handsome appearance, and the interior material quality was appropriate for the price point.

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, 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 either 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 AWD models.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of engines and transmissions. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line and Limited trims had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The Kona N, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N also featured exclusive driving modes and performance enhancements like launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential. The test vehicle, a Kona N Line with AWD, provided ample power and a sporty driving experience, with minor turbo lag and some clunkiness in lower gears. The Kona's handling was composed, and the cabin was quieter than expected for its price point.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats were comfortable, and the padded center console lid replaced armrests to create a feeling of togetherness. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow ’n Go seats with in-floor storage bins. The second- and third-row seats provided ample legroom, and the Stow ’n Go feature allowed for easy loading. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel a breeze.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while small, provided ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants. The N Line's front seats held occupants in place during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings, limited headroom, and legroom. Cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet available with all seats up and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured Uconnect 5, a modern and customizable infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional in-seat entertainment for the second row. The Pinnacle model added FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat feature. Audio options ranged from a six-speaker system to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system, providing a high-quality listening experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona added more tech for 2022, starting with an 8-inch display on the base SE trim. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. The Limited and Kona N trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona also offered Digital Key, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless device charging on higher trims. Hyundai Blue Link provided remote services and was complimentary for three years.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 on 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 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, Highway Drive Assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kona received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crashworthiness tests. The forward collision-avoidance system received "Superior" and "Advanced" ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash protection, respectively.