2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille. These changes added 2.4 inches to the length of the vehicle, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers, as well as side skirts. Despite these cosmetic changes, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before, which is used by most current VW models. The interior of the Atlas took a minimalist approach, with a standard seating configuration of seven seats across three rows. However, the material quality on the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, while not a looker even with the S Appearance Package, was a unique offering as a plug-in hybrid minivan. The base Touring L started at $49,095, with the Limited trim costing $54,095, and the Pinnacle version at $57,645. Our test vehicle, a Pacifica Hybrid Limited, had extra-cost paint, the S Appearance Package, and a Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system, bringing the MSRP to $57,680. The interior featured black Nappa premium leather, but the rounded, flowing styling made it appear soft and dated. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid was a practical and efficient vehicle for transporting up to seven people.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine rated at 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The driving experience with the base 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine, but only 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy was also unimpressive, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 22 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD, while the VR6 engine was rated at 19 mpg combined with FWD and 18 mpg with AWD.

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 system output of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, with a 16-kWh battery pack located under the second-row seating area. The regenerative braking system helped capture energy and feed it back to the battery, resulting in an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg during our test drive. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was smooth and efficient, with nearly imperceptible transitions between electric and gasoline power. However, the driving experience was dull, with light and uncommunicative steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and a lack of cornering grip.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered average passenger and cargo space for its segment, with 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The Atlas provided more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom, which was the worst among its competitive set. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable, with thin, flat cushions. The Atlas featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. The interior controls were logically laid out, and the Atlas offered up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad. The Atlas also had up to 17 cupholders, although the material quality was below average.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The Pacifica Hybrid Limited featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were impressive, 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, 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 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 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility. The base S trim level had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Higher trim levels featured Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit, a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW's new MIBIII infotainment system later in the 2021 model year, which included multi-phone pairing capability, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. The base six-speaker audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on SEL and higher trim levels. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was also new for 2021.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. Uconnect 5 included simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to check on rear-seat passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium 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 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, but a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 Atlas, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trim levels. The Atlas was set to receive more sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety and security features than any other vehicle in the industry. New for 2022 was a rear-seat reminder system. The Pacifica Hybrid had a complete package of standard driver-assist and collision-avoidance features, but adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist was not available. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with the only concern being a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.