2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan designation, embraced practicality over aesthetics. With its rounded and flowing exterior, it appeared somewhat dated compared to the more modern, architectural designs popular at the time. The S Appearance Package didn’t significantly enhance its look, and even the upscale Limited trim, priced at $57,680 with added features, failed to deliver a striking visual appeal. Inside, the Pacifica Hybrid boasted a reasonably nice interior, highlighted by black Nappa premium leather. However, its overall design lacked flair, especially compared to other minivans like the stylish Kia Carnival.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a commanding and unapologetic first impression with its imposing size. Everything about the Escalade emphasized its bulk, from its vast grille to its LED-taillights. Its design elements made it stand out from other GM SUVs, a feat past Escalades didn’t always achieve. Our test Escalade, featuring 22-inch wheels, still seemed dwarfed by its massive body, but it managed to project a distinct, luxurious identity. The Escalade followed a trend seen in other Cadillac SUVs, offering sport and luxury models differentiated by their trim pieces. Inside, its interior checked all the boxes for luxury with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, although it lacked a cohesive design theme, sometimes showing cheaper materials unexpectedly.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled with its efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system for a total output of 260 horsepower. The 16-kWh battery under the floor provided up to 32 miles of all-electric range, which was sufficient for daily commutes and short trips without the need for frequent recharging. The Pacifica Hybrid effortlessly handled city driving and even took on mountain ranges with competence, thanks to the immediate torque from its electric drive system. During our tests, it achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. However, the Pacifica Hybrid’s driving dynamics weren’t exhilarating. The light, uncommunicative steering, the grabby brakes, and the uninspiring handling made it feel more like an appliance than a spirited drive.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six delivering 277 horsepower, both paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. We tested the diesel variant, which impressed us with its smooth power delivery and substantial torque at low RPMs, making it suitable for a variety of driving conditions. However, a very hard brake pedal reduced confidence during stops. Despite its towing prowess, with the gasoline engine capable of up to 8,200 pounds, the Escalade’s ride felt unsettled, with constant body motion and vibrations from road imperfections, even though it had an independent rear suspension and optional Magnetic Ride Control dampers. Unlike its GM siblings, the Escalade missed the mark on offering true luxury driving comfort.

Interior space and versatility were where the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid shone. With its minivan design, it comfortably seated up to seven people across three rows, offering plenty of room and comfort. The second-row seats, while not collapsible into the floor due to the battery placement, provided adjustable legroom and enhanced comfort. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, offering 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expandable to 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a substantial 140.5 cubic feet with the second row removed. This capacity outshone many three-row SUVs, though removing the heavy second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, with its shared platform with other GM full-size SUVs, boasted significant cabin space but with some functionality drawbacks. It provided the most first and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain’s chairs and a power-folding third-row bench standard. Cargo space was also generous, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 63.0 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with both rear rows down. However, the center console’s limited storage space and the borrowed-feeling seats detracted from an otherwise grand interior.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and user-friendly interface. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and connected services like a Wi-Fi hotspot. Although the touch screen quickly accumulated fingerprints, and the voice recognition was inconsistent, the overall system performed well. The available Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV added value for passengers. The Harman Kardon sound system, although promising, required extensive tweaking to find satisfactory audio settings.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted an impressive 38-inch curved OLED display spanning three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch central touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch trip-computer screen. This setup provided excellent resolution and integrated beautifully with the dashboard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a comprehensive 360-degree camera system that could be viewed in both the instrument cluster and the touchscreen. Additional features included night vision and augmented reality navigation. The 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system, however, was tricky to tune properly, despite the promise of an immersive audio experience.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety and driver-assistance features, although adaptive cruise control with lane-centering was unavailable. It did include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-keeping assist, and a rear-seat reminder system. Unfortunately, the adaptive cruise control was slow to react in certain situations, requiring manual intervention. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, reinforcing its strong safety credentials.

Similarly, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade was packed with driver-assist tech, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with Super Cruise available as an option. Super Cruise allowed for hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, ensuring safety through a driver-facing camera. Though some road sections caused it to disengage, its overall performance was smoother and more natural than other systems. Unlike the Pacifica, however, neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had published safety ratings for the 2022 Escalade.