2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that gave it a more muscular aesthetic, moving away from the elegance of previous years. The new hexagonal grille and standard LED headlights contributed to a streamlined front end, while the rear featured an all-LED taillamp running the width of the model, complete with the Chrysler wing badge. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, quilted Nappa leather seats, and sound-deadening technology for a quieter ride.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, extending its length by 4 centimetres and adding a revised grille, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty character lines. The interior saw a more horizontal layout with separated instrument panel and centre console, creating a spacious look. The Kona introduced two new trims: the sporty N Line and the even sportier Kona N, each with unique styling elements and interior features like exclusive black seats with red stitching. The Kona N boasted wide fenders, 19-inch alloy wheels, and N sport bucket seats, enhancing its athletic appeal.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine paired with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with fuel efficiency of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.4 on the highway, with AWD models seeing slightly reduced efficiency.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of engines and transmissions, including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder base engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque in the N Line. The Kona N featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona's handling was praised for its stability and sportiness, with features like launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential enhancing its performance.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious front seats and a padded centre console lid for a feeling of togetherness. It featured rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats for flexible storage. The Pacifica boasted best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making it ideal for family travel.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants. However, rear-seat space was limited, with small door openings and compromised head- and legroom. The Kona's cargo space was tight at 544 litres with all seats up, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Despite these limitations, the Kona offered a comfortable driving experience for front-seat passengers.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like rear-facing child seat view. The Pacifica offered a range of audio systems, including a 19-speaker Harman Kardon option.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech, with an 8-inch display standard on the base trim and a 10.25-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The Kona offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the base screen, with wired versions on the larger screen. The Kona N featured an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and Hyundai BlueLink provided connected services for added convenience.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with up to 116 safety features, including automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. It received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crashworthiness tests. The Kona's forward collision-avoidance system received a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash protection.