2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that included a revised exterior. The new standard LED headlights flanked a hexagonal grille, giving the Pacifica a more muscular look compared to its previous elegant design. The sophistication of the original design remained evident as the eye moved from the front to the sides and rear, where a new all-LED taillamp spanned the width of the model, featuring the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Chrysler also introduced six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents to the exterior.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from other minivans like the 2021 Toyota Sienna and 2022 Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium touches. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, aimed at luxury customers, featured comfort-focused elements such as quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, was complemented by Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds, making it the poshest minivan available. The Pacifica also boasted well-weighted doors and advanced sound-deadening technology, ensuring a quiet ride.

The 2022 Kia Telluride continued to impress with its muscular design and balanced proportions. For 2022, Kia made only minor changes to the grille pattern and added new badges. The Telluride was available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, with pricing ranging from $32,790 to $44,590, plus a destination charge. The SX trim, tested with AWD and the SX Prestige Package, totaled $48,325. The interior of the Telluride was well-organized and attractive, though the glossy plastic on the lower half of the cabin detracted from its overall premium feel. The SX Prestige trim featured Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner, contrasting sharply with the shiny plastic panels.

For 2022, Kia added numerous standard features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, automatic climate control, Highway Driving Assist, and Smart Cruise Control-Curve. The Telluride S trim gained a standard wireless smartphone charger. Despite the loss of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Telluride's interior remained functional and family-friendly, with thoughtful details like overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, and USB ports embedded into the front seatbacks.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine paired with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The base Pacifica Touring and Touring L came standard with the V6 engine, while the upmarket Limited and Pinnacle trims offered either AWD or the hybrid powertrain.

AWD was a new addition to the Pacifica lineup, automatically activating on-demand based on various conditions to improve fuel efficiency. The hybrid powertrain provided an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, delivering 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 seeing a slight decrease in fuel efficiency.

The 2022 Kia Telluride, despite its size and taller center of gravity, was satisfying to drive. Its 3.8-liter V6 engine produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. AWD models featured a Lock mode that evenly split power delivery to the front and rear axles. The Telluride offered a smooth ride with good handling, thanks to its brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system and various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport.

On the open road, the Telluride cruised effortlessly, aided by Highway Driving Assist technology. During testing, the Telluride SX AWD returned 21.1 mpg, matching the EPA estimate of 21 mpg in combined driving. Front-wheel-drive models achieved 23 mpg. The Telluride's towing capacity topped out at 5,000 pounds, making it a versatile choice for families.

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. Storage options included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin, power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats with in-floor storage bins.

The second- and third-row seats offered plenty of legroom, with the Stow 'n Go feature allowing for easy loading. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim boasted best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel a breeze.

The 2022 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with an upscale, organized interior. Thoughtful details included overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, rear smartphone storage pouches, USB ports in the front seatbacks, and accessible rear cupholders. Dual-zone automatic climate control served front-seat occupants, while a single-zone panel catered to those in the back.

The Telluride's seats were comfortable for adults in all three rows, with a one-touch sliding and folding second-row seat mechanism for easy access to the third row. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum volume of 87 cubic feet. The hands-free power liftgate and flat load floor made it easy to haul large items.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors on mid-grade and above models. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was graphically appealing, responsive, and easy to use, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with new games added for 2021. Audio options included a six-speaker system, a 13-speaker Alpine system, and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon systems. The Pinnacle model featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature.

For 2022, Kia made its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard, including navigation with voice recognition. The Telluride lost wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, but gained USB charging ports in all three rows and a wireless smartphone charging pad in all trims except the LX. Kia Connect provided connected services, including emergency assistance, safe teen driving alerts, remote engine start, and home-to-car smart speaker integration. The Telluride also featured Quiet Mode, Driver Talk, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

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 with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, third-row lockout, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Kia Telluride included numerous standard driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies under Kia Drive Wise. These features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction. The Telluride also featured Highway Driving Assist, Smart Cruise Control-Curve, Safe Exit Assist, and Blind-Spot View Monitor technology. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS.