2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that included a revised exterior. The new standard LED headlights flanked a hexagonal grille, giving the Pacifica a more muscular look compared to its previous elegant design. The sophistication of the original design remained evident as the eye moved from the front to the sides and rear, where a new all-LED taillamp spanned the width of the model, featuring the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Chrysler also introduced six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents to the exterior.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from competitors like the 2021 Toyota Sienna and 2022 Kia Sedona. While the Sienna emphasized spaciousness and the Sedona opted for a utility-vehicle-like design, the Pacifica struck a balance between practicality and luxury, especially in the top trims. The Pacifica Pinnacle, the highest grade, offered premium features such as a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim with wood accents, quilted leather seats, and Beber floor mats. The minivan also featured well-weighted doors and advanced sound-deadening technology, making it a solidly premium vehicle.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. Riding on the same platform as the Mazda3, the CX-30 was essentially a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The vehicle featured a raked windshield that acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, which could be distracting for taller drivers due to its slight curve.

Inside, the CX-30 offered a comfortable and quiet cabin with a blend of conventional and digital displays. The infotainment screen rose organically from the smooth dashboard, but its usability was compromised by a steep learning curve. The CX-30 came in various trim levels, each adding more features, with the Turbo Premium Plus model offering front-and-rear parking sensors and advanced driver assistance features. The CX-30 provided a sporty, refined ride with well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, though it had a rough ride over potholes.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was powered by either a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine or a V6 hybrid engine. The V6 engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivered 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain combined a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The base Pacifica Touring and Touring L came standard with the V6 engine, while the upmarket Limited and Pinnacle models offered either AWD or the hybrid powertrain.

AWD was a new addition to the Pacifica lineup, automatically activating on-demand based on various conditions to improve fuel efficiency. The hybrid models, designated as 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 AWD models seeing a slight decrease in fuel efficiency.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, with a Sport button enhancing throttle response and shift mapping for a livelier driving experience.

The CX-30's conventional shifter design, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and manual tap-shift mode added to its performance credibility. The vehicle offered a sporty, refined ride with well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, though it had a rough ride over potholes. The suspension performed decently on dirt and gravel roads but struggled on craggy paved roads.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and ample storage. The front seats provided a feeling of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Storage options included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin, power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats with in-floor storage bins. The second-row seats had under-console storage, and the third-row bench seat could be stowed for additional cargo space. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with the seats in use. The Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were folded. The center console provided ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. The rear seats offered solid headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the headroom of larger models like the CX-5.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors on mid-grade and above models. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was graphically appealing, responsive, and easy to use, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system offered four new games, and owners could bring their own entertainment via various ports. The Pacifica also offered a six-speaker sound system, with upgrades to a 13-speaker Alpine system and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon options. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with advanced features.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick and toggle buttons. The system was inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems but lacked touch functionality, making it difficult to use, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's usability issues persisted even after setting up presets, making it frustrating for new users.

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, lane-keep assist, 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 Mazda CX-30 came with standard driver-assistance features such as forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.