2021 Lexus RX vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. Inside, it featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland. Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid, with the RX F Sport being the most performance-focused. The 2021 model retained the elongated headlights and refined front-end design introduced in 2020, which aimed to address previous criticisms. Standard exterior features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The F Sport Appearance package added unique styling elements and performance dampers.

Inside, the RX was well-appointed even in its base model, offering features like carpeted floor mats, chrome door handles, and NuLuxe-trimmed seats. Higher trims and packages added semi-aniline leather upholstery, sport seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the center console design and infotainment system were seen as dated, with traditional buttons and a charcoal plastic look that contrasted with more modern setups from other automakers.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan image, offered a unique plug-in hybrid drivetrain combining a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system. This setup provided a total system output of 260 horsepower and allowed the van to travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone. The Pacifica Hybrid's electric drive system delivered immediate torque, ensuring the van never felt underpowered, even when fully loaded. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, contributing to an impressive average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg during testing.

The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain seamlessly transitioned between electric and gasoline modes, with the change being nearly imperceptible. The van lacked various driving modes, simplifying the driving experience to just shifting into Drive and going. While the Pacifica Hybrid excelled in efficiency, its driving dynamics were less impressive, with light and uncommunicative steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and a sometimes unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted battery weight. Despite these drawbacks, the Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was praised for its brilliance and efficiency.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive RX 350 achieved an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive versions and RXL models saw slightly lower fuel economy. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, delivering 308 horsepower and achieving up to 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The RX's suspension and handling improvements made it more dynamic, with the F Sport Handling package adding adaptive variable suspension and sportier features. The RX's top speed was limited to 124 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The van could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, with the gas engine assisting when needed. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, contributing to an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg during testing. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain seamlessly transitioned between electric and gasoline modes, providing a smooth and efficient driving experience. However, the van's driving dynamics were less impressive, with light steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and a sometimes unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted battery weight.

The 2021 Lexus RX offered a functional and spacious interior, with the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h seating five, and the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid seating six or seven. Front and second-row seats provided ample space, while the third row was tight for any age. The RX's cargo space was limited compared to traditional SUVs, with 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row versions offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The van featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were plentiful, with extra shelves, a large floor tray, and multiple bins and cupholders. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, though they did not collapse into the floor. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, with cupholders, USB ports, and window shades. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, wireless charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The touchpad controller for the infotainment system was less refined than competitors, and the RX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, appealing graphics, and a simple user interface. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, Amazon Fire TV for the rear-seat entertainment system, and a surround-view camera system. However, the voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss, and the adaptive cruise control needed refinement.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and scored all Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, blind-spot monitoring, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. The RX had two complete sets of LATCH connectors in the rear outboard seats.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety and security features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system and a complete package of standard driver-assist and collision-avoidance features. However, it lacked adaptive cruise control paired with lane-centering assist. The Pacifica Hybrid's adaptive cruise control needed refinement, as it was slow to recognize lane departures and inept at moderating speed when other motorists cut in. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for frontal-impact protection.