2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely carrying over from its previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to follow the adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim level appeared plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but the Forester's clean and unpretentious look stood out among compact crossovers. The Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with complementary paint colors like Dark Blue Pearl. The Forester's interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand years of use, and the Sport trim added orange accents for a touch of flair. Cloth upholstery was standard on Base, Premium, and Sport models, while Limited and Touring trims featured leather. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, while not a visual stunner, offered a unique proposition as a plug-in hybrid minivan. The Pacifica Hybrid's design didn't try to hide its minivan roots, even with the S Appearance Package. The base Touring L started at $49,095, with the Limited trim at $54,095, and the Pinnacle version at $57,645. Our test vehicle, a Limited trim with extra-cost paint, the S Appearance Package, and a Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system, had an MSRP of $57,680. The interior featured black Nappa premium leather, but the rounded, flowing design felt dated compared to more modern, angular styles. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid's electric-only driving range and efficient powertrain made it a compelling choice for those needing to transport up to seven people efficiently.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This boxer engine configuration provided a lower center of gravity compared to inline-four engines. The Forester had a 1,500-pound towing capacity and standard Trailer Stability Assist. While adequate for most situations, the engine lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds. The suspension tuning prioritized comfort over handling, resulting in significant body roll in corners and a bouncy ride on uneven pavement. Subaru's standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and X-Mode, with Dual X-Mode on Sport models, enhanced the Forester's off-road capabilities. The Forester also featured hill-descent control on Premium and higher trims and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it more capable on rough terrain than many competitors.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The 16-kWh battery pack allowed for up to 32 miles of electric-only driving, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The Pacifica Hybrid never felt underpowered, even when fully loaded, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, contributing to an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg on a mixed driving loop. Unlike the Toyota Sienna, the Pacifica Hybrid offered a smooth and quiet driving experience without the need for multiple driving modes. However, the driving dynamics were uninspiring, with light and uncommunicative steering, grabby regenerative brakes, and limited cornering grip. The low-mounted battery sometimes resulted in an unnatural ride quality.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a spacious feel, though it could lead to higher cabin temperatures on sunny days. The Forester had 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing some competitors. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench, and a power liftgate was only available on higher trims. The interior featured decently sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, but the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average phone, and wireless charging was not available. A power-adjustable driver's seat was also not standard on the Base trim.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three rows of comfortable seats and ample cargo space. The interior 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 seats but did not fold into the floor, requiring removal for maximum cargo space. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, with cupholders, USB ports, and side 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 removed, surpassing many full-size SUVs.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, though the setup felt overly complex.

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 supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The system's voice recognition technology was inconsistent, and the 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system required adjustment for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV was available but may be unnecessary for families with personal devices. The Pacifica Hybrid also included a surround-view camera system and parking assist, though the latter was less useful than traditional driving skills.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features included Subaru's EyeSight system, with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. The Forester also offered optional blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight system's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering functions were adequate but lacked smoothness, and the lead-vehicle start alert could trigger false alarms.

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 to prevent leaving children or pets inside the vehicle. The Pacifica Hybrid featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist, though the adaptive cruise control needed refinement. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.