2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, which some might have found boring, but it had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. This design was likely to age well, and the SUV was notably large for its class, offering a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and the option to carry up to seven with a small third-row seat.

Inside, the Tiguan combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though the engine start button's location on the center console was unusual. The cabin featured shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system, but it had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi. The steering wheel stalks also felt a bit flimsy. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants, and pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding the $1,195 destination charge.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite being a minivan, offered a unique plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired 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 could be recharged using a standard household outlet, making it convenient for daily use without needing a home charging station.

The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with black Nappa premium leather and a design that, while soft and dated, was functional. The minivan offered three rows of comfortable seating and ample cargo space, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The Pacifica Hybrid's driving dynamics were unremarkable, but its powertrain was efficient and smooth, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD available as a $1,400 option on most models. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the Tiguan feel breathless during passing maneuvers or when extra power was needed.

The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, but real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg with AWD. Despite its powertrain's shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires lacked grip in corners, encouraging a slower driving pace. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making it suitable for long road trips.

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 electric drive system's torque was available immediately, and the Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone. The van's regenerative braking system captured energy and fed it back to the battery, contributing to an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg during testing.

The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was smooth and efficient, with the transition between electric and gasoline power nearly imperceptible. However, the driving experience was dull, with light and uncommunicative steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and limited cornering grip. The weight of the battery pack sometimes produced an unnatural ride quality, but the Pacifica Hybrid excelled in efficiency and practicality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a comfortable interior with large doors and tall seating hip points, making it easy to get in and out. The front seats provided a wide range of adjustments, and the V-Tex leatherette upholstery was convincing. The back seat was spacious, with excellent legroom and foot space, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The Tiguan's cargo space ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet, depending on the presence of the third-row seat.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, with three rows of comfortable seats and ample cargo space. The minivan 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, but they did not collapse into the floor, requiring removal to maximize cargo space. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the Pacifica Hybrid offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 140.5 cubic feet with the second row removed.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, offering an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The system had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system, while other trims had a six-speaker system.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services. The system allowed for five user profiles and included FamCam, a rear-seat camera system. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system and an available rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV. The voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss, but the overall system was user-friendly and responsive.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available starting with SE trim, and the SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a comprehensive package of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system. The minivan had adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist, but the adaptive cruise control needed refinement. The Pacifica Hybrid 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.