2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured a design that balanced between the Cyberpunk angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It incorporated Cadillac’s signature design elements, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. However, this combination resulted in an awkward mix with the XT5’s compact footprint and tall profile, making it unmistakably a Cadillac, but an ungainly one. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had different exterior styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels were included on the Luxury and Premium Luxury models, while the Sport model came with 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the XT5’s interior felt luxurious, especially with the optional Platinum Package, which added semi-aniline leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, door trim, a microfiber sueded headliner, and a heated steering wheel. Without this package, it was unclear if the XT5 met luxury-car standards. The interior design lacked a strong theme, unlike the Volvo XC60’s Swedish minimalism or the Lincoln Corsair’s Midcentury Modern look. It also didn’t have brand-specific markers like Audi, BMW, or Mercedes interiors, leaving little to remind occupants they were in a Cadillac.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, featured a mid-trim Limited model with the S Appearance Package. This package added 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 front boasted a split grille with standard LED headlamps, while the rear had LED tail lamps spanning its width. Despite lacking the cool cachet of an SUV, the Pacifica Hybrid was a practical choice, offering sliding doors and more cargo space.

The Limited’s interior, though predominantly black, was sophisticated with Nappa leather seats and a dash featuring sweeping lines. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were appreciated, though they were easily confused with the transmission selector dial. The driver’s seat was comfortable and adjustable, with a center armrest that could swivel up for more room. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row. However, taller passengers might prefer the extra legroom in the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with two engine options. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The 3.6-liter V6, standard on the XT5 Sport and optional on the Premium Luxury, delivered 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6-equipped Premium Luxury model felt reasonably quick, with smooth and quick shifts from the transmission, and the V6’s linear power delivery was impressive.

The optional Platinum Package included a “performance suspension” with adaptive dampers, which provided a comfortable ride and excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, offering a quick ratio that made the XT5 feel nimble without being overly sensitive. The cabin was notably quiet, enhancing the luxury experience.

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. In testing, it achieved 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range, exceeding EPA estimates. Charging the battery on a Level 2 home charger took about two hours, while a standard outlet required approximately 14 hours.

The Pacifica Hybrid defaulted to all-electric mode first, which was efficient for city driving but less so for highway commutes. Unlike other plug-in hybrids, it didn’t allow drivers to hold the electric-only mode. The Pacifica Hybrid was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package, which were available on gasoline-only models. Despite these limitations, it 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 XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers. It had more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class but less than the BMW X3. Rear headroom was less than all three German rivals, but the XT5 provided more legroom in both rows, except for front legroom compared to the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were fairly comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC but falling short of the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen provided additional storage.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows, with a zoom function for specific seats. The tester had heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a comfortable, adjustable driver’s seat. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row. Cargo space was 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. However, the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey offered more overall space. The plug-in hybrid model lacked the flat-fold Stow ‘n Go seats, built-in vacuum cleaner, and heated second-row seats available on the standard Pacifica.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display were available with the optional Technology Package. While the touchscreen was easy to navigate, the array of secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, were not ideally placed and lacked physical feedback. The standard eight-speaker Bose audio system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with games and streaming capabilities through Amazon Fire TV and HDMI ports. However, the cost of this feature was high, and most kids already had devices that could perform similar functions. The Pacifica Hybrid also included numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged throughout the journey.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and rear automatic braking. The Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist. The XT5 received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech with optional enhanced automatic emergency braking. However, it received a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the XT5 a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included standard safety features such as 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, and the adaptive cruise control system offered smooth braking and quick acceleration. Optional features included parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not yet 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.