2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant mid-generation refresh, resulting in a more muscular aesthetic with its new hexagonal grille and standard LED headlights. 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 featured a new 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 stood out with its premium materials and practical design, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which boasted quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, added to the upscale feel, while sound deadening technology ensured a quiet ride.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its 2018 facelift, showed its age with a design dating back to 2007. The subtle updates, like the lines connecting the grille to the headlights, were overshadowed by the vehicle's imposing silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's massive, multi-tiered center dash design felt outdated, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen dwarfed by the expansive dash space. The front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof. However, the second-row seats offered ample headroom and legroom, and all seats were comfortable and supportive. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the range-topping Platinum, each offering various features and packages, including the new Nightshade Special Edition with black accents and unique styling touches.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid version combining a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 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 either all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, reintroduced after 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, enhancing fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed. The Pacifica Hybrid boasted an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range exceeding 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 achieved 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models slightly lower at 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, generating 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided strong acceleration, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics resembled a truck, with a lurching V8, soft suspension, and powerful brakes. Despite some body-roll in corners, the wide stance helped it settle, and the brakes, while touchy, were effective. The Sequoia could tow up to 7,400 pounds, trailing behind competitors like the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and Chevrolet Tahoe, which offered higher towing capacities.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical features. The front seats provided ample space and a sense of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Storage was abundant, including an under-stack area for personal items. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, and Stow 'n Go seating with in-floor storage bins. The second-row under-console storage was a convenient addition, and the Stow 'n Go seats allowed for easy cargo loading. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making family travel a breeze.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia's standout feature was its spacious cabin, offering nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats down, it provided an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space, though slightly less than competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a practical feature for quick access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered deep in-door pockets, a massive center console, and multiple cupholders, though newer SUVs had improved space maximization.

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

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the large dash. The older infotainment system was straightforward to use, with large hard buttons for easy navigation. The digital trip computer was small compared to modern fully-digital panels but was user-friendly. While the Sequoia's technology felt dated, its simplicity was refreshing.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica boasted 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, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet rated it.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. While lacking advanced features like lane-keeping assist, the Sequoia provided a comprehensive list of standard safety features. However, it scored only four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test and had not been rated in further crash tests.