2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that revised its 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. Chrysler also introduced six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents.

Inside, the Pacifica stood out from its 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 balanced practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The Pinnacle offered comfort with quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, featured Piano Black plastic trim with wood accents and real metal surrounds, making it the poshest new minivan on the market.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, with its Selenite Gray paint and 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, had a design that reminded some of an athletic sneaker. Mercedes shelved many V8-powered models for 2022, leaving the AMG GLE 53 Coupe with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine. The interior was sumptuous, featuring high-end materials like Nappa premium leather and a Dinamica simulated suede headliner. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design added a high-tech appearance, while ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night.

Despite its complexity, the GLE Coupe's interior design masked its evident complexity with a facade of simplicity. The lack of traditional controls or white-on-black control markings could be challenging for newcomers, but with time, drivers acclimated to the vehicle's technology. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe's interior was both luxurious and functional, providing a comfortable and supportive driving experience.

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 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 all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, new to the Pacifica lineup, 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 over 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 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,800 rpm. The engine included EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that added extra power when needed and helped conserve fuel. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 19 mpg, with our test vehicle achieving 18.5 mpg. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe also had a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system with fully variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, and the AMG Active Ride Control suspension with active roll stabilization and AMG Performance brakes maximized performance. The GLE Coupe's speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering made urban driving and parking easier, while the AMG Active Ride Control suspension provided a comfortable ride on highways and nimble handling on winding roads.

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 feeling of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow ’n Go seats were standard features. The second-row seats had under-console storage, and the third-row seats offered plenty of legroom. The Pacifica's cargo area was spacious, with the Pinnacle model offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe could hold up to five people, but it was more comfortable for four. The sport-bolstered, multi-contour front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Forward visibility was fine, but rear visibility was challenging, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat provided ample room for adult legs and feet, and the cargo hold offered 27.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 63.2 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down. Available comfort upgrades included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a Warmth and Comfort Package, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was modern, customizable, and responsive. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with 13-speaker Alpine and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon options available. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe came with the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens under a single piece of glass. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a Burmester surround-sound audio system. MBUX was easy to use, with natural voice recognition technology and multiple interaction methods. Optional features included an MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture recognition, an augmented video feature for navigation, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system.

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 with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, third-row lock out, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe included numerous safety features, such as forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot monitoring system. The Pre Safe Sound system emitted a “pink noise” tone before a collision to protect hearing. The Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. The GLE Coupe's lane-keeping assistance technology was finely tuned to operate transparently until needed. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.