2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda’s larger SUVs like the CR-V, Passport, and Pilot. It featured distinctive styling elements such as upper and lower window lines converging near the taillights, which also housed the rear door handles. Most trim levels came with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport models boasted matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. Higher trims like the EX and EX-L included features such as push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with the EX-L also offering leather upholstery.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan stigma, was a unique offering with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain. It wasn’t 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 Limited trim with additional features, had an MSRP of $57,680. The interior featured quality black Nappa leather, but the overall design felt soft and dated. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid offered a compelling package for those needing efficient transportation for up to seven people.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While front-wheel drive was standard, all-wheel drive was available on all trim levels. However, the HR-V felt underpowered for highway driving, and the CVT was not very effective. Competitors like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek offered more powerful engine options. Despite its engine shortcomings, the HR-V’s chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda’s reputation for fun cars. However, its AWD system was only suitable for slippery roads, and it lacked towing capability.

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, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The 16-kWh battery pack allowed for up to 32 miles of electric-only driving. The Pacifica Hybrid never felt underpowered, even when fully loaded, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible. The regenerative braking system helped capture energy and feed it back to the battery. During testing, the Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. However, the driving experience was dull, with light and uncommunicative steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and a sometimes unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted battery weight.

The 2021 Honda HR-V offered impressive cargo space for its size, thanks to the “Magic Seat” 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. With the rear seats folded down, it provided 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), and 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 cubic feet with AWD) with the seats up. These figures surpassed competitors like the Chevrolet Trax, Hyundai Kona, and Subaru Crosstrek. The HR-V also excelled in rear-seat legroom, leading the segment in that category. However, front-seat legroom and headroom were just average. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large knobs for climate control and an audio volume knob, making it user-friendly.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The interior featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were plentiful, with extra shelves, a large floor tray, and multiple bins. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica’s Stow n’ Go seats but required removal to maximize cargo space. 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.

The 2021 Honda HR-V’s base LX trim came with standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. Upgrading to the Sport trim level added a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The EX and EX-L models included SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports located in a convenient cubbyhole. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was relatively small, and competitors offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features across all trim levels.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It offered appealing graphics, a simple user interface, and quick response times. Uconnect 5 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss, and the 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV was available but might be unnecessary if passengers have their own devices. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured a surround-view camera system and a parking assist system.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it got “Marginal” and “Poor” headlight ratings and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. Honda Sensing safety features were available only on the EX and EX-L trim levels, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more.

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 important items inside the vehicle. The Pacifica Hybrid had a complete package of standard driver-assist and collision-avoidance features, but adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist was not available. The adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist needed refinement. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for frontal-impact protection.