2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

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 showcased 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 bold look.

Inside, the Pacifica distinguished itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium touches. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, catered to luxury-minded customers with features like quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, was complemented by Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds, making it one of the poshest minivans available. The Pacifica also prioritized sound deadening, ensuring a quiet ride by incorporating new windows, seals, and insulation.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, while sporting the brand's signature tiger-nose grille, faced mixed reviews for its front-end design. However, the rest of the SUV's styling was praised for its attention to detail, such as the four-dot running light signature and the symmetrical rear fascia. The SX Turbo trim, with its 19-inch wheels, gave the Sportage a planted stance and proper proportions. Inside, the Sportage adopted Germanic design cues, featuring a black dashboard with metallic accents and plain white instrumentation. The SX Turbo trim added metal pedal covers and offered a choice of interior colors, enhancing the upscale feel.

The Sportage's interior was user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy control of the stereo, cabin temperature, and infotainment system. The transmission shifter's solid operation added to the sense of quality. Despite some criticisms of the grille, the Sportage's overall design exuded style and sophistication, making it a visually appealing choice in the compact SUV segment.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain combining a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, delivering 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The hybrid model 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 achieved 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models seeing a slight decrease in fuel efficiency.

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generating 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, while the SX Turbo trim offered a more powerful 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system available as an option. The Sportage SX Turbo provided quick acceleration, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm. The SUV's suspension system, featuring a MacPherson strut front suspension and independent multi-link rear suspension, delivered a smooth and compliant ride, though some body roll and lateral rocking were noted.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The minivan featured power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating, allowing for easy reconfiguration of the interior space. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim provided best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making it a top choice for families needing ample cargo space.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, while smaller in size, offered a roomy passenger compartment with comfortable seating. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. The Sportage's cargo space, however, was limited, with a maximum volume of 60.1 cubic feet and 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat. The SUV's smart liftgate technology provided hands-free access to the cargo area, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was responsive and easy to use, though it lacked a head-up display. The Pacifica also offered an optional second-row in-seat entertainment system and a range of audio upgrades, including a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Pinnacle trim included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat functionality.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SX Turbo trim added wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, the UVO Link system was considered less advanced, lacking features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring. Despite these limitations, the system was simple and easy to navigate.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with 97 standard features and 100 on the Pinnacle trim. Key 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 Kia Sportage included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a driver monitoring system as standard. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favorable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though only the SX Turbo earned an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.