2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. Its interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a modern 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, offering a fresh look compared to the outdated dashboard of the smaller Crosstrek. The Outback's quality was evident in its substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials, with higher trims offering a luxury car impression through two-tone leather upholstery. The Outdoor XT trim, with its water-resistant synthetic upholstery and lime green stitching, added a touch of ruggedness. Externally, the Outback's styling was smooth and plain, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents, maintaining its lifted wagon identity.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, while not a visual standout even with the S Appearance Package, offered a unique proposition as a plug-in hybrid minivan. Its exterior and interior styling appeared soft and somewhat dated, lacking the architectural motifs of more modern designs. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with black Nappa leather and a spacious layout. The minivan's practicality was enhanced by its sliding side doors, making it easy to load children in tight spaces. The Pacifica Hybrid's pricing was on the higher side, with the Limited trim costing $58,995, but federal and provincial EV rebates helped make it more affordable. Overall, the Pacifica Hybrid was a practical choice for those prioritizing efficiency and utility over style.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was a tale of two engines. The base 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hampered its performance, making it slow and noisy. However, the turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine available in the XT trims transformed the Outback, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving its capability and refinement. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its high ground clearance and proactive all-wheel-drive system. The X-Mode feature enhanced its off-road prowess, making it more capable than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, on the other hand, excelled in efficiency with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Combining a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, it delivered a total of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 51 kilometres on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system helped extend its range, achieving an average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres. While the Pacifica Hybrid's driving experience was unremarkable, with light steering and occasional brake grab, its powertrain seamlessly transitioned between electric and gasoline modes. The lack of driving modes simplified its operation, allowing drivers to focus on efficiency without distractions.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. Its wide and flat cargo area, combined with ample headroom and legroom, made it a practical choice for families. The Outback's visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and large windows, while storage options were plentiful, including map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy front centre console. However, some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's standout feature was its integrated roof rails and crossbars, providing easy installation of roof racks.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three rows of comfortable seating and a massive cargo capacity. With 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row and up to 3,978 litres with the second-row seats removed, it surpassed many full-size SUVs. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior featured triple-zone climate control, quality leather upholstery, and ample storage options, including a large floor tray and multiple bins. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go seats, though they required removal for maximum cargo space. The third-row seats provided reasonable comfort, with cupholders and USB ports for passengers.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared dated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The 11.6-inch touchscreen was more cohesive than the base model's dual-screen setup, offering standard features like SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, provided adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking, though its reliance on cameras limited its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, offering appealing graphics and a user-friendly interface. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM and a FamCam overhead camera system. The optional 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat entertainment, though personal devices often sufficed for passengers. The surround-view camera system and parking assist features added convenience, though the latter was less effective than manual parking skills.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags, and a range of driver-assist features. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard from the Touring trim, while the Premier trims included a driver-attention monitor. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and the rollover test.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety features than any other vehicle, including a rear-seat reminder system. While it lacked adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist, it provided adaptive cruise with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.