2022 Volkswagen Taos 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. Inside, the Pacifica stood out from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim. This top-tier model featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and quilted leather seats, creating a luxurious feel. The Pacifica's doors closed with a solid thud, and its sound-deadening technology effectively minimized road noise.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos, positioned as a compact SUV, offered a simple yet detailed design. It came in S, SE, or SEL trims, with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and options for front-wheel or 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Taos featured a handsome exterior with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, complemented by roof rails and skid plates. Inside, the Taos had a mix of hard plastics and soft surfaces, with the SEL trim offering two-tone perforated leather and contrast stitching. The interior was spacious, with ample legroom and comfort for both front and rear passengers. However, the cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with the 4Motion version offering less volume due to its independent rear suspension.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid version with a V6 engine, dual-motor electrically variable transmission, and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The Pacifica's AWD system, reintroduced after 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, enhancing fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed. The hybrid model boasted an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range exceeding 500 miles, with fuel economy ratings of 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 achieved 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD reducing these figures slightly.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The 4Motion AWD system paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission offered spirited performance but suffered from erratic shifting and turbo lag. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission provided smoother driving but was limited to front-wheel drive. The Taos SEL 4Motion in Sport mode delivered confident handling with responsive steering and effective brakes, though its ground clearance of 6.6 inches was less than some competitors. The EPA rated the Taos SEL 4Motion at 28 mpg combined, with testing results showing an average of 27.1 mpg.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats provided 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 with in-floor storage bins. The second-row under-console storage was a convenient addition, and the third-row bench seat offered ample legroom. The Pacifica's cargo area was generous, with the Pinnacle trim boasting best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos emphasized interior space, with deeply bolstered front seats offering extensive seat-track travel and height adjustment. The SEL 4Motion included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat provided generous legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents enhancing passenger comfort. Cargo space varied by drive system, with the front-wheel-drive version offering more volume due to its torsion-beam rear suspension. The Taos also featured a center pass-through, ideal for ski trips.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured Uconnect 5, a modern and customizable infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional in-seat entertainment for the second row. The Pinnacle model offered FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view. Audio options ranged from a standard six-speaker system to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, with SE and SEL trims featuring an 8-inch display with MIB3 software. All trims included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. The Taos SEL added navigation and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio system. However, the MIB3 system's user experience and voice recognition were less than ideal, with complex menu navigation and limited voice control functionality.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered 97 standard safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key 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 Volkswagen Taos democratized its IQ Drive safety technologies, making them standard or available across trims. The IQ Drive package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Taos SEL added rain-sensing wipers, road sign recognition, and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. However, the reverse automatic braking system could be overly sensitive, though it could be turned off permanently.