2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring. It stood out among midsize SUVs and crossovers with its distinctive design. The front end, while less dramatic than the 2021 Sienna minivan, made a statement with wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The side profile featured a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and the taillights borrowed elements from Lexus models. The Highlander managed to look longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size.

The XSE trim level, new for 2021, added a more aggressive front end, suspension tuning, and an appearance package. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum, featured chrome roof rails and accents, giving it an upscale look. Inside, the Limited trim shone with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and dark brown trim. The wood details, even if not real, looked fabulous. The Highlander thrived when leaning toward luxury, offering comfort and convenience as must-haves for a family car.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan image, was a unique offering. It combined a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with the practicality of a minivan. The Pacifica Hybrid's 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, providing a total system output 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 transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery.

The Pacifica Hybrid's driving dynamics were unremarkable, with light steering, uncommunicative brakes, and a dull driving experience. However, it excelled in efficiency, achieving an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg on a mixed driving loop. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was impressive, but the driving experience left much to be desired. The minivan packaging and the dull driving experience were potential drawbacks, but the powertrain's brilliance earned it a relatively high rating.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable choice for family transportation. The Highlander Hybrid was available as a separate model. While not a drag racer, the Highlander provided adequate power for merging onto highways and compared well with competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot.

The Highlander's suspension was soft and comfortable, though it tended to lumber through corners. The XSE trim tightened the suspension with higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, adding some driving excitement for family-focused shoppers.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid's plug-in hybrid drivetrain combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing 260 horsepower. The 16-kWh battery pack allowed for up to 32 miles of electric-only driving. The Pacifica Hybrid never felt underpowered, even with a full load of passengers. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible.

The Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg on a mixed driving loop. However, the driving experience was dull, with light steering, uncommunicative brakes, and a lack of cornering grip. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was impressive, but the driving dynamics left much to be desired.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered a spacious and comfortable interior. The front seats featured large shelves for cell phones and a wireless charging pad in the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed plenty of legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward to maximize space. The third row could accommodate adults, but only if the second-row passengers were willing to compromise on comfort. The rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, blowing straight down on passengers' heads.

Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 16 cubic feet, but folding down the third row increased it to 48.4 cubic feet. With both the second and third rows folded, the Highlander offered 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space, sufficient for most needs.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility. It featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options included extra shelves in the front door panels, a large floor tray under the center console, and a long storage bin behind the center console. Second-row passengers had their own climate control panel, grab handles, and side window sunshades.

The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, but they did not collapse into the floor. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, with cupholders, USB ports, and side window shades. The Pacifica Hybrid offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were easy to use, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, but navigation struggled with points of interest. The JBL audio system sounded good but not overly impressive.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It offered appealing graphics, a simple user interface, and speedy response. Uconnect 5 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to check on rear-seat passengers. The 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV was available but not essential if passengers had their own devices.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a comprehensive package of standard driver-assist and collision-avoidance features, including a rear-seat reminder system. It had 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 safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.