2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

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 included darkened features and black accents.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from other minivans like the 2021 Toyota Sienna and 2022 Kia Sedona. While the Sienna emphasized spaciousness with hardy materials and the Sedona opted for a utility-vehicle-like design, the Pacifica struck a balance. The lower-cost Voyager was rough-and-ready, while the Pacifica offered a premium feel, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The Pinnacle featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, real metal surrounds, quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The Pacifica also boasted well-weighted doors and advanced sound-deadening technology.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued to embrace its minivan identity while incorporating SUV styling cues. The Sienna featured a macho front end, re-engineered door hinges, and slides that buried the slider channel below the rear side window frame. The rear doors had integrated styling details, and the overall profile was assertive. Standard 17-inch wheels could be upgraded to 18-inch or 20-inch wheels on higher trims. The interior avoided a minivan feel with an uncluttered design and clever storage solutions, including an under-console storage area, big door pockets, and abundant cup holders.

The Sienna's second and third rows offered comfortable, roomy seating, with available second-row captain’s chairs with ottomans and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. The third row was a 60/40-split bench that stored away into the floor. The Sienna also featured power-operated sliding doors and a rear tailgate with foot-motion triggers, making it convenient for families with full hands.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 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 trims offered either all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain.

AWD was a new addition to the Pacifica lineup, automatically activating on-demand based on various conditions. The hybrid powertrain models, designated as 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 AWD models slightly lower at 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna exclusively featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trims. The AWD system added a separate electric motor driving the rear wheels, providing 54 hp and 89 pound-feet of torque. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport.

The Sienna's handling was impressive for a minivan, thanks to the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform’s front suspension and steering and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The Sienna Hybrid achieved EPA fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined for FWD models, and 35 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined for AWD models. The Sienna's 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats and came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

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 included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power first- and second-row windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, Stow ’n Go bucket seats with in-floor storage bins, and a Stow ’n Go third-row bench seat.

The Pacifica's second- and third-row seats offered plenty of legroom, with Stow ’n Go seats that tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The rear cargo area was spacious, with the Pacifica Pinnacle offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was a family workhorse, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading luggage and freight. Cargo measurements were 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound maximum towing capacity.

The standard 60/40-split third-row bench stored away easily, and each row had storage cubby space and cupholders. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated with foot-motion triggers, providing convenience for families.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors on mid-grade and above models. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, with a clean design and quick responsiveness. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second row's in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with new games added. Audio options ranged from a six-speaker system to 13-, 19-, and 20-speaker Harman Kardon systems. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with advanced features.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna offered a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sienna included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an available rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Platinum trim included a 10-inch head-up display, and higher trims could upgrade to a digital rearview mirror.

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, 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 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit.