2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Kia Seltos

Despite its classification as a subcompact SUV, the 2021 Kia Seltos had a big-car feel. It featured an upright layout with a commanding view of the road. The headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even though the Seltos was not designed for such terrain. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added to its on-road driving dynamics. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, influenced by upscale brands like Audi. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash added visual symmetry, while the handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, as part of its mid-generation refresh, had a revised exterior with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular aesthetic. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp running the width of the model with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, with darkened features and black accents, were available. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which featured quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard housed a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the cabin was filled with soft-touch materials and classy finishes, making it the poshest new minivan on sale.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for both city and highway driving. The Seltos also featured a Drive Mode dial with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout and 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Seltos handled well with minimal body roll and a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was powered by either a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, or a V6 hybrid engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered AWD or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, new to the Pacifica lineup, activated on-demand based on driving conditions and deactivated to improve fuel efficiency when not needed. The hybrid model 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 city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, with slightly lower numbers for the AWD version.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos also featured numerous cubbies and compartments, including large door cubbies, bottle holders, and a spacious center console. The rear seats offered ample head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, featuring spacious seating and ample storage. The front seats allowed for a feeling of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power 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 second-row under-console storage slid outward, providing a bin for charging cords, tissues, and other items. The second- and third-row seats offered plenty of legroom, with Stow ’n Go seats available even on AWD models. The Pacifica’s cargo area was spacious, with the Pinnacle trim offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo came with a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The large screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside radio, climate, or navigation data. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted the audio to the phone’s output, which could be frustrating. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, with the other solely for charging. Despite these quirks, Kia’s infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, thanks to a helpful home button and hard buttons below the touchscreen.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, featuring a clean design and quick responsiveness. Though it lacked a head-up display, the navigation was easy to use and rerouted rapidly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with four new games added to the existing roster. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with 13-speaker Alpine and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon options available. The 20-speaker system provided a high-quality listening experience. The Pinnacle trim included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included driver-assistance features such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The SX also featured an alert for when a vehicle in front had pulled away, preventing the need for a courtesy honk from the driver behind.

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).