2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite being a minivan, offered a unique blend of practicality and efficiency. It wasn't the most visually appealing vehicle, even with the S Appearance Package on the Limited-trim test vehicle. The base Touring L started at $49,095, with the Limited trim costing $54,095, and the Pinnacle version at $57,645. Our test vehicle, with additional features, had an MSRP of $57,680. The interior, featuring black Nappa premium leather, felt high-quality but the overall design seemed somewhat dated. Chrysler didn't attempt to disguise the Pacifica's minivan identity, unlike Kia with its Carnival.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester, especially in the Wilderness trim, emphasized ruggedness and practicality. Prices ranged from $25,195 for the base model to $35,295 for the Touring trim. Our test vehicle, priced at $36,014, included a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate. The Forester's design, with its suspension lift and protective cladding, aimed for a rugged look but came off as somewhat homely. Inside, the Forester prioritized function over form, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces that felt durable but slightly dated.

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, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The Pacifica Hybrid averaged 37.1 mpg during testing, outperforming the Toyota Sienna's 36 mpg. The transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly seamless, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery. However, the driving experience was unremarkable, with light steering, uncommunicative brakes, and a somewhat unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted weight.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The Wilderness model featured a CVT designed to provide a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester averaged 25.9 mpg during testing. While the engine felt adequate at sea level, it struggled at higher altitudes. The CVT, with its eight programmed ratios, performed well, and the SI-Drive system added a bit of liveliness. The dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension improved off-road capabilities, making the Forester Wilderness a compelling choice for adventurous drivers.

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 various bins, shelves, and cupholders. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Stow n' Go seats, though they didn't collapse into the floor. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the cargo space behind it measured 32.3 cubic feet, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. Removing the second-row seats increased the cargo capacity to 140.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit and a practical interior. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats and washable material on the rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds. The Forester offered high comfort levels in both the front and back seats, with rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services. The system allowed for five user profiles and included a FamCam overhead camera system. The 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system required some adjustment for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV was available but seemed unnecessary for tech-savvy teenagers. The surround-view camera system and parking assist were useful features.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base trim, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, and Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The PIN Code Access feature allowed for keyless entry, making it convenient for outdoor activities. The voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, and a breadcrumb function for navigation would have been useful.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system. It lacked adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist but offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.