2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was offered in several trims, including 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS. Most trims came with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with the option for front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The RS trim stood out with a V6 engine and a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system, enhancing its performance on low-traction surfaces. The Blazer's design was inspired by the Camaro, featuring a sporty appearance with 20-inch wheels and a distinctive black trim on the rear bumper. Inside, the Blazer echoed the Camaro's style with an 8-inch touchscreen and innovative climate controls. However, the interior had a significant amount of hard plastic, which was noticeable in the nearly $50,000 RS test vehicle. The red interior accents in the RS trim added a touch of sophistication, especially when paired with the Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, with the Limited trim featuring the S Appearance Package. This package added body-colored door handles, gloss black grille accents, and 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The Pacifica Hybrid's design included a split grille with LED headlamps and tail lamps. While minivans like the Pacifica Hybrid lacked the cool factor of SUVs, they offered practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space. The Limited trim's interior was predominantly black, with Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dashboard design. The HVAC and audio controls 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 and a spacious third row, though taller passengers might find the second-row seats a bit low.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering driving modes like Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. The RS trim featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, with a dual-clutch AWD system. This engine could tow up to 4,500 pounds, 1,000 pounds more than the base engine. The Blazer RS provided a firm and sporty driving experience, with decent grip and capable brakes. However, its performance on winding roads was less impressive, with a bouncy suspension and slow downshifts. The steering felt artificially heavy in Sport mode, and the SUV's driving dynamics didn't match its sporty styling. The Blazer RS AWD had an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, but our test averaged 20.5 mpg.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, making it the only plug-in hybrid minivan available. It offered an EPA-rated 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined. Our test exceeded these numbers, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. The Pacifica Hybrid defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid mode, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The plug-in hybrid model was FWD only and lacked a spare tire and towing package. The Pacifica Hybrid's 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque were adequate for highway passing, and the CVT operated smoothly. The battery's placement in the floor improved handling, though the steering was light.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a comfortable and practical interior. The RS test vehicle featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, giving it a sporty look. The steering wheel was comfortable, with power tilt and telescopic adjustment and heating. The front seats had power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though they lacked thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents ensured passenger comfort. The back seat was spacious, with adjustable legroom, and the Blazer provided ample storage space. The power rear liftgate, available on RS and Premier trims, revealed a 30.5 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered family-friendly features like the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor rear passengers. The test vehicle had heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel. The driver's seat was comfortable and adjustable, with a soft center armrest. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the third row was spacious enough for adults. The Pacifica Hybrid lacked Stow 'n Go seats due to the battery placement, but cargo space remained generous, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. The total cargo space was 140.5 cubic feet, though competitors offered more. The plug-in hybrid model also lacked a built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-resolution graphics and user-friendly controls. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an upgraded version offering satellite radio and connected navigation. The system was easy to use, with separate stereo and climate controls. The enhanced voice recognition and navigation systems were fast and accurate. The test vehicle had wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Bose audio system, though the sound quality was mediocre. Safety features included rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a 360-degree camera, and a rear camera mirror, which were essential due to poor rear visibility.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and dual Bluetooth connections. The test vehicle had an optional rear seat entertainment system with two 10-inch screens, offering games and streaming content. However, the feature was costly, and most kids already had devices with similar capabilities. The Pacifica Hybrid had numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices stayed charged.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also featured a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Available safety upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Blazer's advanced driving assistance systems worked well, though the IIHS didn't award it a "Top Safety Pick" due to inadequate headlight performance.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered 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 was effective, and the adaptive cruise control operated smoothly. Optional features included parallel parking assistance and front and rear parking assist. The 2023 model hadn't been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 version received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.