2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant exterior refresh, featuring new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille that contributed to a more muscular aesthetic. 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 showcased an 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. Inside, the Pacifica distinguished itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The interior boasted a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and quilted leather seats, creating a luxurious feel. The Pacifica also excelled in sound deadening, providing a quiet ride.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek embraced the crossover trend by enhancing the Impreza hatchback with rugged looks, AWD, and a taller driving position. It featured black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and an 8.7-inch ground clearance, giving it an SUV-like character. The Crosstrek's vibrant color options, like Plasma Yellow Pearl, added to its appeal. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, it shared a refined design with other Subaru models. The interior remained functional but plain, with some questionable design choices like clashing color accents. The Crosstrek Sport trim offered water-repellant StarTex upholstery, suitable for outdoor adventures. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek maintained a comfortable ride and low wind noise, though the higher center of gravity resulted in noticeable body roll.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid version with a V6 engine, dual-motor electrically variable transmission, and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, delivering 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered AWD or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, new to the Pacifica lineup, activated on-demand based on various conditions, enhancing traction and efficiency. 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 city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models slightly lower at 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek introduced a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine for the Sport and Limited trims, generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims retained the 2.0-liter boxer-four engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The boxer engine's lower profile contributed to a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, while a CVT was optional and standard on Sport and Limited trims. All trims featured standard AWD with torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved traction on loose surfaces. The Crosstrek's handling was predictable, though the higher center of gravity led to increased body roll. The new 2.5-liter engine provided a modest power boost, but acceleration remained adequate, accompanied by CVT droning.

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 armrests. Storage options included an under-stack area for personal items. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and Stow 'n Go seating with in-floor storage. The second-row under-console storage was a convenient addition for passengers. The Pacifica's second and third-row seats offered generous legroom, with Stow 'n Go seats allowing for easy cargo loading. The Pinnacle trim boasted best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared front and rear legroom with the Impreza hatchback, offering slightly more rear headroom. Cargo space measured 20.8 cubic feet with rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with seats folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. CVT-equipped models featured a rear-seat reminder to prevent leaving children or pets unattended. Up front, a cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports provided storage for phones, though rear-seat passengers lacked USB access. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, offering good outward visibility but not towering over other vehicles.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors on mid-grade and above models. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered a modern, customizable interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While lacking a head-up display, the navigation system was user-friendly and responsive. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. Audio options included a standard six-speaker system, with upgrades to a 13-speaker Alpine system or 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon systems. The Pinnacle model introduced FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat functionality.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek utilized Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, featuring a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM, and a CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim and optional on lower trims. Subaru's unique dual-screen setup displayed information above the main touchscreen, though it seemed redundant. The 8-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions. Steering wheel controls managed EyeSight driver-assistance features, enhancing safety.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came equipped with 97 standard 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, though the IIHS had not yet rated the model.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model a "Top Safety Pick" rating, applicable to models with optional EyeSight features and Steering Responsive Headlights. EyeSight offered standard adaptive cruise control with lane centering, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning on CVT-equipped models. Additional features like automatic high beams, reverse automatic braking, lane-change assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. EyeSight's cameras, mounted behind the windshield, had limitations but were better protected than grille-mounted systems.