2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring large wheels and flared fenders that gave it a balanced and artistic look. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, as it defied easy categorization, fitting into mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV categories. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, with its 5.7-litre V8 engine and premium interior, offered a luxurious experience, though the interior design showed signs of aging with outdated switchgear and component fits.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was a practical choice for those prioritizing efficiency and utility. Despite its minivan image, it offered a unique plug-in hybrid drivetrain, combining a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system. The Pacifica Hybrid provided a total system output of 260 horsepower and an electric-only range of 51 kilometres, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The interior featured quality leather upholstery, triple-zone climate control, and ample storage options. However, the Pacifica's styling appeared soft and dated compared to more modern designs, and its driving experience was unremarkable, focusing more on efficiency than excitement.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 2,818 kilograms. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 provided 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kilograms. The V8's cylinder deactivation technology aimed to improve fuel efficiency, though it still consumed 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and effective brakes made it practical for daily driving.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid's plug-in hybrid drivetrain combined a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing 260 horsepower. The electric drive system provided immediate torque, allowing the Pacifica to feel adequately powered even when fully loaded. It offered an electric-only range of 51 kilometres, with a total range of 62 kilometres on the battery and 48 kilometres on the gasoline engine, achieving an average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain operated seamlessly, with a nearly imperceptible transition between electric and gasoline modes. However, its driving dynamics were uninspiring, with light steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and limited cornering grip.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped interior. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat provided comfort but limited legroom, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee offered 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,934 litres with the second-row seats folded. However, interior storage was limited, and the rear-seat entertainment system occupied much of the centre console bin.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The interior featured quality leather upholstery, triple-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were impressive, with extra shelves, a large floor tray, and a long storage bin behind the centre console. The second-row seats were more comfortable than standard Pacifica seats, though they required removal to maximize cargo space. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 914 litres of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expandable to 2,477 litres with the third-row seats folded, and up to 3,978 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the Grand Cherokee was considered "tech lite," offering essential features without the advanced technology expected in newer models.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, offering appealing graphics and a simple user interface. It supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. However, the voice recognition technology was inconsistent, and the 20-speaker Harman Kardon audio system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered Amazon Fire TV for its rear-seat entertainment system, though it was often bypassed in favour of personal devices.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, though 2WD models received four stars due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. However, the Grand Cherokee's performance in IIHS testing was concerning, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance, but the headlights rated "Poor" unless upgraded.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety features than any other vehicle, including a rear-seat reminder system. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The Pacifica Hybrid included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist, though the adaptive cruise control required refinement. The Pacifica's safety features aimed to prevent accidents, but the adaptive cruise control's performance in traffic was less than ideal.