2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing size and distinctive design elements. Its massive grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its bulk, evoking the grandeur of classic Cadillacs. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, resembled a diesel locomotive more than a car. The Escalade's styling elements emphasized its size, with 22-inch wheels appearing small against the vast expanse of sheet metal. Different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models added to its appeal, with the Escalade Luxury and Premium Luxury featuring bright exterior trim, while the Escalade Sport had darkened trim, including a mesh grille.

Inside, the Escalade offered luxury features like leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, but lacked a cohesive design theme. While most materials looked upscale, some cheap-looking plastic bits detracted from the overall feel. The Escalade's body-on-frame architecture, shared with other GM full-size SUVs and trucks, provided a spacious interior but resulted in an unsettled ride. Despite its truck DNA, the Escalade didn't offer the off-road capability of its GM cousins, making it less suitable for rugged adventures.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a practical and stylish minivan option. Our mid-trim Limited tester with the S Appearance Package featured body-colored door handles and exterior mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents, complemented by 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The split grille, standard LED headlamps, and full-width LED tail lamps added to its modern look. While minivans lacked the cool factor of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid's sliding doors and ample cargo space made it a practical choice.

Inside, the Limited trim's dark interior featured handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design with sweeping lines. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were user-friendly, though their proximity to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a spacious third row accessible through a wide center pathway. However, taller passengers might find the second-row seats a bit low, and the lack of Stow 'n Go seats in the hybrid model due to the battery placement was a drawback. Cargo space remained generous, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) drivetrains. A high-performance Escalade-V model with a 682-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8 was also available. Our test of the diesel engine revealed smooth power delivery and impressive torque at low RPMs, making it enjoyable to drive. However, the hard brake pedal was less confidence-inspiring.

The gasoline engine had a slight advantage in towing capacity, with a maximum of 8,200 pounds, compared to the diesel's 8,100 pounds. The Escalade's ride quality was less luxurious than expected, with its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to an unsettled feel. Despite standard independent rear suspension and available air suspension and Magnetic Ride Control dampers, the Escalade struggled to match the comfort and composure of unibody SUVs like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. It also lacked the off-road capability of its GM cousins, making it less suitable for rugged terrain.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two small electric motors, making it the only plug-in hybrid minivan available. The EPA rated it for 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy. Our test exceeded these numbers, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. Charging the battery on a Level 2 home charger took just two hours, while a standard outlet required 14 hours.

The Pacifica Hybrid defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid operation, which was efficient for city driving but less so for highway commutes. Unlike other plug-in hybrids, it didn't allow drivers to hold electric-only mode, limiting flexibility. The hybrid model was front-wheel drive only, lacked a spare tire, and couldn't be equipped with a towing package, unlike the gasoline-only Pacifica. Despite these limitations, the Pacifica Hybrid offered a smooth driving experience with 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, sufficient for highway passing. The continuously variable automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the lower center of gravity improved handling.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, offering a cavernous cabin. The standard version measured 211.9 inches long, while the extended Escalade ESV was 227 inches. It provided the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, though the Lincoln Navigator offered more second-row headroom. Standard second-row captain's chairs and a 60/40 power split-folding third-row bench seat could be replaced with a power-folding 60/40 bench seat at no extra cost. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 25.5 cubic feet with all seats in place, 63.0 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

However, the raised center console limited storage space, and the 12-way power adjustable front seats with massage and lumbar support felt less luxurious than expected. Cadillac did include dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation and large sun visors for the expansive side-window glass.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor second-row captain's chairs and third-row seats, including rear-facing child seats. The driver could zoom in on specific seats, making it a useful feature for families. Our tester had heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a comfortable driver's seat with an adjustable center armrest. Second-row seats were comfortable but low, and taller passengers might find their knees uncomfortably high. The center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row, though taller passengers might prefer the extra legroom in the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space remained the same as the standard model, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats down. However, the hybrid model lacked the flat-fold Stow 'n Go seats due to the battery placement, as well as the built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats available in the standard Pacifica.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity, were standard. Cadillac integrated the display seamlessly into the dashboard, with icons arranged to fit the screen's shape. Physical toggles for climate control and other functions were retained, though the carousel format for changing radio stations and the rotary controller were less user-friendly. The OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots.

The Escalade also offered advanced tech features like a head-up display, night vision, and augmented-reality navigation. A 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was standard, though tuning it was challenging, with headrest-mounted speakers distorting sound for front-seat occupants.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth were included. Our tester had the optional rear seat entertainment system, adding two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers with games and streaming content from Amazon Fire TV. However, the extra cost was hard to justify when most kids already had phones or tablets.

The Pacifica Hybrid featured numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices stayed charged throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assist tech, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking (front and rear), front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on Premium Luxury and higher trims, with trailer blind-spot monitoring on Premium Luxury Platinum trims and above. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option on most trims, offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera to ensure attention. While the system occasionally disengaged unexpectedly, it provided smooth and natural responses.

The Escalade lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA for this model year, leaving its crash protection capabilities unknown.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking assist, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided both visual and audible alerts, while the adaptive cruise control system offered smooth braking and quick acceleration. However, parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist required an additional package or the top Pinnacle trim.

The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid hadn't been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks in most categories, with Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.