Chrysler Pacifica vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant exterior refresh, presenting a more muscular aesthetic with its new hexagonal grille and standard LED headlights. This design shift moved away from the elegance of previous models, yet retained a touch of sophistication as the eye traveled from the front to the sides and rear. The rear featured a new all-LED taillamp spanning the width of the vehicle, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents, enhancing its bold look. Inside, the Pacifica stood out from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim. This top-tier model boasted a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, quilted leather seats, and upscale materials, making it a luxurious choice in the minivan segment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile. However, it distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille featuring laser-etched knurling. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a new body-on-frame architecture with independent suspension and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, it offered high-end features such as 24-way power front seats with massage and memory functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim. The interior also included unique touches like seat controls on the doors and a "Grand Wagoneer" badge on the dashboard, emphasizing its luxury status.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid version combining a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, delivering 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The hybrid model boasted an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range exceeding 500 miles, achieving 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models slightly reducing these figures. The AWD system, newly reintroduced after 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, enhancing traction without compromising fuel efficiency.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, generating 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, impressive for its 6,400-pound weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. This system provided up to 10 inches of ground clearance and enabled the vehicle to ford up to 24 inches of water. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering at higher speeds.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats provided ample space and a sense of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing traditional armrests. The Pacifica featured power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating, allowing for flexible cargo configurations. The second-row under-console storage and Stow 'n Go third-row bench seat added to its practicality. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making it a top choice for family travel.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer accommodated seven passengers with standard second-row captain's chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. With 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed, the Grand Wagoneer provided ample storage. However, its 94.2 cubic feet of total cargo space fell short of some rivals. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone climate control, and large storage bins, although forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors and the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. This system offered a modern, customizable interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. The Pacifica offered a range of audio systems, including a 20-speaker Harman Kardon option. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat functionality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and featured a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and Fire TV for Auto. The Uconnect 5 system provided an Android-based operating system with over-the-air updates, although the screen response was occasionally slow.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although the IIHS had not yet rated the model.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered standard safety features such as a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.