2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, though no longer purely Swedish, benefited greatly from its acquisition by Geely Holding Group. This transition allowed Volvo to shed its Ford-era constraints and emerge as a near-luxury brand with a focus on safety and innovation. The XC60, positioned between the XC40 and XC90, showcased Volvo's elegant design language with its tailored crossover form, short overhangs, and distinctive Thor’s hammer LED headlights. The interior was a testament to Scandinavian design, featuring clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere, highlighted by a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and elegant HVAC vents.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, while not a visual stunner, offered a unique proposition as a plug-in hybrid minivan. Despite its minivan stigma, the Pacifica Hybrid provided practical benefits like sliding side doors and a spacious interior. The Limited trim, though pricey, came with premium features such as black Nappa leather seats and a Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system. The Pacifica Hybrid's design leaned towards a softer, more rounded aesthetic, which some might find dated compared to the sharper lines of modern vehicles.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models offered 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 models upped the ante with 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, being plug-in hybrids, combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushed these figures to 415 hp and maintained the same torque. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth and secure driving experience, making it an excellent choice for road trips. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, with the T8 achieving 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, on the other hand, utilized a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible. During testing, the Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. However, the driving experience was described as dull, with light steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and a lack of cornering grip.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in comfort and utility, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling harsh winter conditions. The interior featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, making it a practical choice for families. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, as a minivan, provided three rows of comfortable seating and ample cargo space. The interior featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and numerous storage compartments. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n’ Go seats but did not fold into the floor. 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 up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Volvo XC60's infotainment system, Sensus, featured a tablet-style touchpad interface with a portrait orientation. It offered smartphone integration, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality. However, the Sensus system had a learning curve and could be distracting while driving.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system allowed for five user profiles and included features like FamCam, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. However, the voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss, and the sound quality required adjustment for optimal performance.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a paragon of safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Volvo's semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, was also available, integrating adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid also boasted a robust safety package, claiming to offer more standard safety features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-keeping assist, and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the adaptive cruise control needed refinement, particularly in recognizing lane departures and moderating speed. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.