2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2021 Ford Edge retained much of its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated Ford's contemporary design language with the existing Edge body shell. This refresh gave the Edge a cleaner look compared to the more elaborate designs of competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium models featured additional chrome accents to signify their premium status, while the Edge ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, standard 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The ST-Line offered the same exterior styling as the ST but without the performance enhancements and higher price tag. However, the interior of the Edge began to show its age, with a design that seemed less fresh and somewhat awkward due to modifications for new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models came with leather upholstery, and the ST models had sporty front seats with added bolstering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrast stitching.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite being a minivan, offered a unique proposition with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain. The Pacifica Hybrid was not particularly stylish, even with the S Appearance Package, and it came with a hefty price tag. The base Touring L started at $49,095, while the Limited trim cost $54,095, and the Pinnacle version was priced at $57,645. Our test vehicle, a Pacifica Hybrid Limited, included extra-cost paint, the S Appearance Package, and a Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system, bringing the MSRP to $57,680. Despite the federal income tax credit, the van still cost over $50,000. The interior featured black Nappa premium leather, which felt and smelled of quality, but the overall design appeared soft and dated compared to the more modern, architectural motifs of other vehicles. Unlike the Kia Carnival, Chrysler did not attempt to disguise the Pacifica's minivan nature, which could be a drawback for some buyers.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It came with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Edge ST performance model featured an EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine, delivering 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel, with standard AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ST also had model-specific suspension tuning, and an optional package added upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels with summer tires. The Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though it fell short of that benchmark. The Edge's towing capacities were 3,958 pounds for the base FWD model, 4,122 pounds for the AWD four-cylinder model, and 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered Edge ST. These figures were respectable but fell short of the 5,000-pound towing capacity of the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system. One electric motor acted as an electrically variable transmission, while the other drove the front wheels. A 16-kWh battery pack under the second-row seating area provided up to 32 miles of electric-only driving range. The total system output was 260 horsepower, and the electric drive system's torque was immediately available. The Pacifica Hybrid never felt underpowered, even with a full load of passengers. It could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible. The Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg on a test loop, outperforming the Toyota Sienna's 36 mpg combined rating. However, the Pacifica Hybrid's driving experience was unremarkable, with light and uncommunicative steering, occasionally grabby regenerative brakes, and a lack of cornering grip.

The 2021 Ford Edge remained competitive in terms of interior space, offering the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom in both rows. It featured 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, trailing only the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Higher trim levels offered a foot-activated power liftgate. The rotary shift knob on the center console freed up some space, but the narrow console width limited its utility. The raised console provided a storage nook below, but its out-of-the-way location made it easy to forget items placed there.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and substantial cargo space. It featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were impressive, with extra shelves in the front door panels, a large floor tray under the center console, and a long storage bin behind the center console. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go seats, though they did not collapse into the floor. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, with cupholders, USB ports, and side window shades. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was not as easy as in an SUV.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured the latest Sync 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST models came with a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge also had four USB ports, including two rear USB ports added for the 2021 model year. Sync 4's simple graphics and straightforward menu layouts made it user-friendly, and the wireless connectivity was a notable advantage over some competitors.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, appealing graphics, a simple user interface, and quick response times. Uconnect 5 supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, Amazon Fire TV for the rear-seat entertainment system, and a surround-view camera system. However, the voice recognition technology was inconsistent, and the Harman Kardon sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality.

The 2021 Ford Edge earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top ratings in all crash tests and a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. However, it received an Advanced rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, an Acceptable rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use, and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Edge a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The Edge came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering was standard on all but the base SE trim.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety and security features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system to prevent leaving children or pets inside the vehicle. The Pacifica Hybrid came with a complete package of standard driver-assist and collision-avoidance features, though it lacked adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist needed refinement, as it was slow to recognize lane departures and overly cautious when other vehicles cut in. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.