2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Lexus RX

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 offering a premium feel, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which boasted quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The interior was designed with practicality and luxury in mind, featuring a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds.

The 2022 Lexus RX maintained its modern and sporty design, with sharp character lines and angular features that stopped just short of being excessive. The RX's aggressive styling set it apart from competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The F Sport trim added performance-oriented features such as 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and a unique front fascia. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, while the F Sport trim added sporty elements like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. Despite its luxury appeal, the RX's center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected. The RX offered a limited-edition Black Line trim with exclusive black-colored features and contrast gray stitching for those seeking high-end looks.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid powertrain with a combined output of 260 horsepower. The hybrid model featured a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, providing an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of more than 500 miles. The Pacifica's AWD system, available for the first time in 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions to improve fuel efficiency. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the hybrid delivered 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the RX 450h hybrid added two electric motors for a combined 308 horsepower. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the drive modes offered minimal changes in driving dynamics. The RX 350 achieved 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, while the RX 450h hybrid boasted 30 mpg combined.

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. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating for flexible cargo space. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making it ideal for family travel.

The 2022 Lexus RX provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its standard two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models offered limited cargo space, with only 7.45 cubic feet available with all seats upright. The RX's cargo area featured a high load-in height due to its sporty bumper design. Interior features included a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net for added convenience.

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

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available as an option. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the touchscreen's positioning was ergonomically unfriendly, and the touchpad was difficult to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus App provided remote engine start and vehicle settings customization.

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. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features were blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights but received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.