2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Vs 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Comparison: Family Style

Minivans are usually not “cool.” Comfy, spacious, and versatile? Certain. However when the neatness issue of a automobile focuses nearly solely on a built-in vacuum cleaner or an easy-stow seat, you already know you are taking a look at a deeply uncool automobile. However what in the event that they weren’t? What if automakers imbued their minivans with modern powertrains, flashy sheet metallic, superior expertise, and different trendy touches?

Nicely, you’d have the 2 vans we’re testing at this time: the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. These two household haulers characterize the development of electrification into the minivan area whereas additionally main the cost, so to talk, for edgier styling. That the Pacifica hails from the creator of the minivan whereas the Sienna comes from the model that popularized hybrid expertise provides a way of poetry to this contest. That stated, calling this a “contest” is just a little beneficiant. Learn on to search out out why.

Design

Chrysler: Not like the Toyota, which obtained a top-to-bottom redesign for the 2021 mannequin yr, the Pacifica Hybrid is only a facelift. However as updates go, the 2021 mannequin nonetheless sees important modifications in and out. The outside adopts new entrance and rear fascias, highlighted by up to date lighting parts. There aren’t grand, revolutionary modifications, however the 2021 mannequin yr is arguably extra premium and distances the Pacifica from the design language of the unloved 200 sedan.

Our tester’s S Look bundle provides gloss black accents and a brand new set of 18-inch alloys, that are positive. The true win, in our estimation, is the gorgeous Ceramic Grey paint. The rise of gloss grey finishes is a brand new development, however we sincerely hope it continues, as a result of because the Pacifica proves, this colour could make even hum-drum shapes look dynamic and spectacular.

Hop within the cabin and it is clear Chrysler is the creator of the minivan. That is not essentially a praise, although. The design is standard and conservative, and in sharp distinction to the progressive Toyota, contains a solid-looking middle console that has the slightest floating bridge possible. There is a straight-across sprint with an upright middle stack as a part of a segmented design that places every little thing as a replacement. It is easy to really feel just a little let down after spending a bit within the Sienna. Gloss black dominates, for higher or worse, as a part of the S Look pack, which additionally provides “S” stitching to the leather-based seatbacks.

Toyota: Toyota gonna Toyota. The Sienna wears the identical kind of wild exterior design, full with gaping-maw grille, discovered on the Camry and Avalon. That stated, the Sienna is arguably the most effective execution of the expressive language. We respect the aggression and sportiness of the design – the hood appears lengthy and the sharp line that curves over the rear wheel wells provides this van rear-drive-like proportions. This can be a bolder design than what Chrysler is providing, though that will not essentially work for everybody.

On the model entrance, the Sienna Hybrid XSE’s trim is not as intense as Chrysler’s S Look bundle. There is a spattering of gloss-black accents, together with a pretty set of 20-inch wheels, though Toyota is not as in step with its trimmings. For instance, the gloss-black “SIENNA” lettering on the tailgate can also be commonplace on the much less porty Sienna XLE. As a substitute, the XSE options subtler touches, ending the grille, for instance, in metallic black moderately than gloss black.

The Sienna’s cabin is a far completely different place than the Chrysler’s. Vibrant upholstery and a flashy, floating bridge middle console greet you if you open the door. The realm below that middle console is genuinely viable space for storing, with excessive sides to forestall issues from tipping over. The excessive middle console provides the inside a cockpit-like vibe, and in addition helps create a neat dash-spanning shelf. The Sienna’s Smooth-Tex upholstery feels extra fashionable than the Pacifica’s leather-based, though it isn’t essentially nicer to sit down in – we now have breathability considerations in scorching climate.

Consolation

Chrysler: The Pacifica falls wanting the Toyota in a single important space: second-row legroom. The middle captain’s chairs have a far shorter vary of fore/aft journey than the Toyota, although the precise measurement (39.0 inches) is down lower than an inch on the Sienna. However when you cannot slide the buckets again for LeBron James-satisfying leg area, Chrysler takes excellent care of the third-row passengers. Sure, Toyota has extra legroom there on paper too, however sliding the Pacifica’s second row all the best way again comes with little value to the third. We might stick six adults in right here with out hesitation, which we won’t say of the Japanese van.

Disappointing legroom apart, although, the Chrysler is way extra refined and comfy. The highly effective electrical motors and sizable battery present sufficient thrust that it may well spend lengthy stretches of time with out the fuel engine. And when that 3.6-liter V6 kicks in, it takes genuinely exhausting operating for its sound to register within the cabin. The Pacifica comports itself effectively over tough stuff, because it shirks off bumps and imperfections that make the Toyota really feel all jiggly. Tire noise is modest, and even excessive winds wrestle to intrude within the cabin. If you’d like the quietest minivan of the 2, the plug-in Pacifica is the best way to go.

For those who’re spending more often than not within the entrance seats, the Chrysler is a tempting choice, as effectively. The leather-lined seats really feel extra premium and are extra supportive, providing adjustable arm rests along with commonplace eight-way energy adjustability, heating, and air flow (you may want the range-topping Sienna Restricted to attain no-cost butt chillers). There’s one thing to be stated for the Chrysler’s seating place, as effectively, which advantages from an extra-long telescopic steering rack.

Toyota: The Sienna is doubtless the automobile you need if you happen to’re by no means planning on utilizing the third row. The second-row captain’s chairs have an enormous vary of adjustability, with limousine-shaming legroom when set all the best way again. Toyota quotes second-row legroom at 39.9 inches, however the most needs to be greater – your six-foot, one-inch creator struggled to succeed in the entrance seatback. The Toyota’s captain’s chairs are extra snug, too, with higher help and extra helpful arm rests (though neither van has a locking operate for the arm helps).

However the place both the second or third row works within the Pacifica, the Sienna appears destined to create conflicts over area. We struggled to discover a seating place that distributed legroom to each second and third-row occupants pretty, though Toyota cites 38.7 inches of last-row legroom to the Chrysler’s 36.5. The Sienna’s third row feels tighter on shoulder area, too. We might stick six adults within the Pacifica with out hesitation, however we won’t say the identical of this van.

The Sienna’s entrance chairs are moderately snug over lengthy stretches, however lack decrease leg help. Which will annoy longer-limbed people, though it isn’t a deal breaker. What did annoy us are the fastened middle arm rests, which Toyota built-in into the excessive middle console. There’s sufficient padding, however extra adjustability would go a great distance. That stated, by way of front-row cargo capability, the Sienna enjoys a large middle cubby and 4 cup holders to the lonely pair within the Pacifica.

The Toyota edges out the Pacifica in stowing that third row, though solely simply. The place the Chrysler requires a two-motion maneuver to decrease the rearmost seats into the cargo flooring, dropping the again within the Sienna is as simple as pulling one giant deal with and taking the seats with them. However our tester included a pair of bins for the rear cargo space that want eliminated first. We like the concept of with the ability to retailer moist gadgets – say a child’s soccer cleats or snow boots – in a plastic tub, but it surely’s simple to think about a state of affairs the place house owners use these bins as soon as, take away them, after which depart them in a darkish nook of the storage till the Sienna’s lease is up.

The Toyota edges out the Pacifica in stowing that third row, though solely simply.

By way of cargo measurements, the Sienna beats the Pacifica with all three rows of seats in place, at 33.5 cubic ft of area to 32.3. However the Chrysler comes again when the final row is down, with 87.5 cubes to 75.2. It is also price noting that whereas each vans have easy-stow third-row seats, the Sienna’s seats sit up a bit extra, so the load flooring is not fairly as stage. And because the second-row seats aren’t detachable, the Sienna loses out by way of max cargo area, 101.0 to 140.5.

Expertise

Chrysler: Chrysler made the choice to introduce a redesigned infotainment system as a part of a mid-cycle replace, and it is single-handedly gained the Pacifica this spherical. Uconnect 5 takes all that was good about Uconnect 4 – a logical structure, fast responses, and wealthy options – and provides an even bigger, flush-mounted display; prettier graphics; and wi-fi Apple CarPlay.

Even with out the brand new working system, although, this might be a troublesome struggle for the Sienna. The Pacifica’s 10.1-inch touchscreen is best in each crucial measure than the Toyota’s commonplace 9.0-inch show, however Chrysler enhances it with a reconfigurable 7.0-inch display within the instrument cluster that is full of info. The Sienna’s tiny 4.2-inch show is kind of the identical factor Toyota’s been utilizing for years and the graphics help that remark.

The Chrysler is a large step ahead for second- and third-row passengers, too, however provided that you choose the $2,495 Uconnect Theater Household Group. It provides twin 10.1-inch touchscreens, which fold down into the rear seatbacks. Every show has its personal USB-A and HDMI port, whereas the second row boasts a shared 220-volt alternator and a 115-volt plug. Certain, youngsters can carry a Nintendo Change, however why go handheld when you’ll be able to toss the Ps 5 within the automobile?

For those who’re one of many tens of millions of people that cannot discover a next-gen console, relaxation simple figuring out the Pacifica comes pre-loaded with 13 gaming apps. It is appropriate with Miracast, too, so passengers can stream from their telephone to the show. And in case your tastes skew in the direction of bodily media, a Blu-Ray participant is a part of the bundle. An iPad could also be a extra economical and simply upgradeable alternative, however the simplicity of this bundle is lots engaging. And by way of USB ports, the Pacifica packs three USB-As and two USB-Cs in entrance, a pair of USB-As within the center, and weirdly, a single USB-A on the passenger’s aspect solely within the third row.

The Chrysler is a large step ahead for second- and third-row passengers.

The Theater bundle can also be the one technique to get FamCam, which is Chrysler’s tackle the in-cabin digicam Honda debuted just a few years again for watching the youngsters. The Pacifica goes a step additional, although, with a high-def feed of each the primary and second row that appears completely fitted to monitoring older youngsters whereas additionally offering the point-of-view nervous dad and mom want for infants in rear-facing youngster seats.

Toyota: Toyota’s loss right here is moderately stark when you think about the Sienna is a brand new design going through down a product that got here out within the waning days of the Obama Administration. Nevertheless it’s not that Toyota’s infotainment is unhealthy, per se.

The 9.0-inch display is greater than ample and you will find wi-fi Apple CarPlay right here too. However the general infotainment expertise is way much less nice – the place you may discover crisp, fashionable graphics within the Chrysler, the Toyota serves up an unattractive image that feels a technology behind, paired with a structure that is tough to be taught. The touchscreen is responsive, at the very least. Different tech parts really feel decidedly behind the occasions. The show within the instrument cluster is tiny and appears equally dated, whereas fashionable options like ventilated seats are solely obtainable on the range-topping trim.

Toyota’s loss right here is moderately stark when you think about the Sienna is a brand new design going through down a product that got here out within the waning days of the Obama Administration.

The Sienna claws again some factors with an ample mixture of USB-A and USB-C ports and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Just like the Pacifica, a wi-fi hotspot is commonplace, too. However on the leisure entrance, the Toyota is effectively behind, too, providing only a single 11.6-inch show hidden within the roof.

That is excellent news for third-row passengers however unhealthy information for followers of sunroofs. The place the Pacifica has a glass roof for every row, Toyota lets the solar shine on solely the entrance seats. That single display additionally lacks the great working system or touchscreen performance of the Pacifica’s shows. Certain, there’s an HDMI port, however by way of general performance, the all-new Sienna feels decidedly old-fashioned.

Efficiency & Dealing with

Chrysler: The Pacifica and Sienna are prime examples of two separate approaches to hybridization. The Chrysler packs a plug-in-hybrid powertrain, partnering a 3.6-liter V6 engine with two electrical motors and a 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. Complete output sits at 260 horsepower, whereas Chrysler would not publish a torque determine. Then once more, it would not have to. A fast spin across the block is all it takes to understand the Pacifica driving expertise.

Not like most plug-in hybrids, which stick an electrical motor within the transmission to function a starter/generator and one other on one of many axles for drive energy, each of the Pacifica’s items function as a part of the eFlite variable transmission and can flip the entrance wheels as wanted. It is a distinctive method, however one we take pleasure in.

On an 85-mile, mixed-use take a look at route, the Pacifica Hybrid was one thing of a revelation. The dual electrical motors – one packing 84 hp and the opposite 114 – are so potent and so in sync that the Pacific hardly ever wanted the fuel engine. Whether or not the electrical vary is 30 miles or zero, it looks like a pure EV.

The torque is greater than ample for shifting the 5,000-pound minivan, however even once we wanted the fuel engine, the general disruption in acceleration was exhausting to identify. The tuning right here is great, with easy handoffs between the electrical motor and a hushed-up model of Chrysler’s bread-and-butter V6. By way of wide-open acceleration, the outcomes are much less clear, though the Pacifica does really feel a contact quicker.

What’s sure is that it is a extra satisfying van to drive by the bends. Thanks largely to the decrease middle of gravity that comes from the floor-mounted battery pack, the Pacifica’s cornering character is flatter, extra predictable, and fewer minivan-like.

The lack to lock in electrical energy or order the automobile to protect its cost by retaining the fuel engine on is bewildering.

We’re keen on the Pacifica’s brake pedal, too. Whereas there’s some grabbiness and various journey, particularly whereas parked, the Chrysler’s regenerative stoppers impressed extra confidence with their predictable, easy-to-modulate conduct. By way of stopping energy, they did the job, too, bringing the massive van to a halt with much less drama than you’d count on when making an attempt to arrest a lot momentum.

Maybe the one oddity within the Pacifica’s efficiency character is its lack of drive modes. The lack to lock in electrical energy or order the automobile to protect its cost by retaining the fuel engine on is bewildering. That there is not any devoted Sport or Eco modes is odd, too. The dearth of all-wheel drive can also be price mentioning. It is an actual disgrace Chrysler solely launched that kind of all-weather functionality on the gas-powered Pacifica.

Toyota: Not like the Chrysler’s powertrain association, the Sienna’s is as acquainted as will be. This is identical fundamental Hybrid Synergy Drive system that Toyota already gives on the Camry, Avalon, RAV4, Venza, and Highlander (all of which share the Sienna’s modular TNGA platform), albeit with a nickel-metal hydride battery moderately than a extra fashionable lithium-ion pack.

All Sienna Hybrids home a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, good for 189 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, and a front-mounted electrical motor with 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. However choosing all-wheel-drive like our tester provides a second, smaller motor to energy the rear axle. Whereas Toyota lists this unit at 54 hp and 89 lb-ft, the full system output is 245 hp throughout the board.

The Toyota does really feel a bit nippier than the Chrysler, however not considerably so. It lacks the nice pull of all-electric torque down low, coming alive as a substitute within the midrange, the place the fuel engine and electrical motor(s) appear to do their greatest work collectively. That stated, whereas the Toyota’s powertrain manages its separate energy sources effectively, the fuel engine emits a continuing buzziness that is jarring after a visit within the super-quiet Pacifica. And though the Toyota does embrace drive modes, together with an EV-specific setting for brief distances of all-electric journey, no quantity of fiddling makes this fuel engine a extra nice companion.

The Toyota does really feel a bit nippier than the Chrysler, however not considerably so.

The Sienna additionally handles extra like the way you’d count on a minivan to deal with, addressing corners with all of the tolerance of an adolescent answering a 6:00 AM alarm clock. There’s loads of roll and a decrease cornering restrict than within the flat-feeling Chrysler, however then once more, these are minivans we’re speaking about.

What we won’t abide are the Toyota’s terrible brakes. Grabby and exhausting to modulate, notably at low speeds, we aren’t certain how these items made it to market. Toyota has been making strides bettering the conduct of its regenerative brakes, however the Sienna looks like an enormous step again.

Security

Chrysler: Security is a excessive precedence in household centered automobiles, and neither the Chrysler nor the Sienna slack right here. For the Pacifica, you may discover the same old energetic security gear as commonplace tools on all Hybrid trims: automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, full-speed adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, automated excessive beams with LED headlights, and blind-spot monitoring.

And that is simply the usual gear. Whereas our tester did not carry it, the $1,895 Premium and Security Sphere group looks like a worthwhile funding, including rear automated emergency braking, a 360-degree digicam setup, automated parallel and perpendicular parking, and a 20-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system. Parking sensors are commonplace, however we hope yours aren’t as hyperactive as they had been on our tester. In case you have a good storage or driveway, count on to listen to a variety of beeping.

On the highway, each the lane-keeping system and adaptive cruise management carried out effectively. The Pacifica lacks the lane centering expertise of the Sienna, however we did not actually miss it (that the Sienna tended to bounce between lane markers did not assist its case). The ACC dealt with sudden lane intrusions effectively and delivered ample acceleration when the best way forward was clear. Utilizing it felt pure, and that is the very best reward we will stage for such a system.

Toyota: Like so many different Toyota merchandise, the Sienna advantages from Toyota Security Sense 2.0, an all-encompassing and commonplace suite of energetic security gear on each trim. Broadly talking, it packages all the identical energetic security gear because the Pacifica, however provides site visitors signal recognition and the aforementioned lane-tracing tech.

Not like the Chrysler, although, there are not any non-obligatory extras within the Sienna’s security suite. So on the one hand, you will not discover a surround-view digicam or automated parking, however on the opposite, each Sienna is as secure as it may well get at any MSRP. Contemplating that, the one factor holding the Sienna again is its often frenetic conduct with the energetic security techniques engaged. The adaptive cruise management lacks the Chrysler’s poise relating to braking and acceleration, and as talked about, the lane-keeping system is extra intrusive. Nonetheless, these two merchandise are very shut relating to security.

Effectivity

Chrysler: We reset the journey computer systems of each automobiles and set out on our 85-mile analysis loop, which consists of extra-urban boulevards, nation roads, and highways in largely equal measure. We did the final freeway portion with the adaptive cruise management in each vans set to 78 miles per hour. We had 40 diploma temperatures and windy situations for every run, and even tried to do them on the identical time of day to search for constant site visitors situations.

Within the Pacifica’s case, although, we needed to make two runs. With the battery totally charged and the pc displaying an electrical vary of 32 miles, we managed to go 20 miles earlier than depleting that preliminary cost. Throughout the entire route, our EV mileage sat at 35.6 miles and our computer-indicated gas financial system was 35.3 miles per gallon.

A 240-volt charger, although, like our Grizzl-E Traditional, did the job in simply two hours.

The following day, and with zero miles of EV vary obtainable, the journey laptop claimed we coated 15.8 miles on electrical energy and managed 30 mpg on the nostril. We predict that quantity is a bit smooth, although, as the typical was nonetheless climbing on the finish of the route. For comparability, the EPA charges the Pacifica Hybrid at 30 mpg mixed with no cost and 82 mpge with a full battery.

Had the Pacifica had a technique to preserve its electrical energy, we predict we may have achieved higher. Driving at speeds under 40 miles per hour yielded rather more spectacular real-world EV numbers, coming in close to the 30-mile mark.

On the charging entrance, our van helpfully flashed the charge-to-full time each time we shut it off. With no EV vary, a 120-volt outlet would take round 13 hours to do the deed. A 240-volt charger, although, like our Grizzl-E Traditional, did the job in simply two hours. That makes a powerful argument for getting a house charger together with your Pacifica Hybrid.

Toyota: We solely needed to make one run within the Sienna, though we did it within the default driving mode. So set, the parallel-hybrid pairing managed 31.3 mpg on our drive route towards its 35-mpg mixed score.

Whereas the charged-up Pacifica is the extra environment friendly alternative, it is price noting the Toyota has the bigger gas tank, at 18.0 gallons to the Chrysler’s 16.5, and constantly supplied a extra optimistic vary estimate all through our testing. Nonetheless, with the Sienna coming in under its EPA estimate fairly handily and the Pacifica’s potential for dramatically curbing gas use, we’ll name this one a loss.

Value

Chrysler: Costs for the 2021 Pacifica Hybrid begin at $39,995 whereas our Pacifica Hybrid Restricted (the third within the four-trim lineup) is available in at $45,845. If you’d like a snazzy trying variant like ours, you may want the $795 S Look pack, whereas your youngsters will demand the $2,495 Uconnect Theater Household group. The one important choice we had been lacking is the $1,895 energetic security pack. Our as-tested worth sat at $50,630, together with a $1,495 vacation spot cost.

However as is often the case with EVs and plug-in hybrids, there is a federal income-tax credit score to remember. For 2021, each Pacifica plug-in comes with a $7,500 authorities incentive, which is the utmost for a BEV of any sort. That actually softens the blow of the Pacifica’s greater worth.

Toyota: Snagging a Sienna Hybrid is as simple as writing a examine for $34,460, however the trendy XSE trim is available in at a good $42,000, giving a wholesome benefit over our Pacifica Restricted (sans tax credit score). From there, our tester provides the $1,415 rear-seat leisure system, the $425 Ruby Flare Pearl paint, and a $300 1,500-watt inverter,

The massive-ticket merchandise is not even the priciest. The $1,000 XSE Plus pack introduces a wi-fi cost pad, a 12-speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer, a navigation operate for the infotainment system, and black roof rails. That, to be frank, is a screaming cut price. Our tester provides a number of dealer-installed equipment, none of which we would suggest, for an as-tested worth of $48,029, together with an $1,175 vacation spot cost.

Verdict: Evaluating automobiles aspect by aspect is not some mystical science. Frankly, the winner is often the one you find yourself naturally gravitating in the direction of outdoors of testing. For us, that was the Pacifica Hybrid. However even when we hadn’t reached for the Chrysler key fob first, it makes an extremely robust case for itself. The refined driving expertise, the spectacular gas financial system, an obtainable income-tax credit score, and a number of recent and spectacular expertise are the issues households will respect.

That is to not low cost what the Sienna does effectively. It did not win any segments of our assessments outright, but it surely was extremely shut in every little thing however the Expertise and Efficiency areas. The styling is polarizing in the absolute best manner, giving the Sienna a personality not like every other minivan on the highway. The second-row seats, too, additionally stand out within the class, providing area and adjustability in equal measure. And naturally, the usual security suite deserves all of the reward.

The Sienna is a positive minivan. The Chrysler, although, is a extra full one. If we had a litter of rascals to tote about or just wanted a super-comfy technique to get six passengers from A to B, the Pacifica could be on the prime of our checklist.