2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan label, offered practical advantages over three-row midsize crossover SUVs. Its sliding side doors made loading children in tight parking spaces easier, and its plug-in hybrid status was unique among mainstream brands. However, its rounded, flowing exterior and interior styling appeared soft and dated compared to the more architectural motifs gaining popularity. The Pacifica Hybrid wasn't cheap, with the base Touring L starting at $49,095 and the Pinnacle version costing $57,645. Our test vehicle, a Limited trim with extra-cost paint, the S Appearance Package, and a Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system, had an MSRP of $57,680. Despite the high price, the interior's black Nappa premium leather felt and smelled like quality, though Chrysler made no effort to disguise the minivan's identity.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as flashy as some competitors, was an attractive crossover with a restrained bodywork and a chunky front end that made the grille look smaller. The gold Bowtie emblem looked garish against some paint colors but lovely on others. Chevrolet offered the Equinox in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with both FWD and AWD options. The Equinox's thick C-pillar and big windows gave an impression of spaciousness, which the interior did not disappoint. Our Premier test vehicle featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Despite looking a bit dated inside, the Equinox was practical and easy to use, with a simple PRNDL shift lever and large cupholders. The $1,745 Confidence and Convenience II package added lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, an HD surround-view camera, and adaptive cruise control.

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 never felt underpowered, even when fully loaded, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible. On a Los Angeles driving loop, it achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. However, the driving experience was dull, with light and uncommunicative steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and an unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted weight.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled to accelerate above 30 mph and made plenty of noise doing so. The six-speed automatic transmission held gears longer than newer transmissions, contributing to the powertrain's noise. The Equinox's AWD system required manual engagement, but the new electronically assisted brake-by-wire system provided smooth braking. The suspension handled bumps and potholes well, and the steering was tight and accurate, making the Equinox enjoyable to drive in most situations.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The Limited trim featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were impressive, with extra shelves, a large floor tray, and a long storage bin behind the center console. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs but required removal to maximize cargo space. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the Pacifica Hybrid provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded and 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While this was less than most competitors, passenger space was ample, with plenty of head- and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver and rear passengers. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, cup holders for every passenger, a decently sized center console bin, and good door pockets. The Premier trim's standard power liftgate operated nearly silently.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, offering appealing graphics, a simple user interface, and speedy response. It supported five user profiles, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to check on rear passengers. However, the voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss. The 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system required adjustments 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 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology offering included a 7-inch touchscreen interface in the LS, LT, and RS trims, and an 8-inch screen in the Premier. While not as flashy as some competitors, the system was crisp, clear, and easy to use. It offered good voice recognition software, customizable icons, and additional hard buttons for easy controls. The Premier trim came standard with a wireless charging pad, and all trims featured wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The upgraded driver-information display on the LT, RS, and Premier trims offered useful features like music, navigation, and trip computer information.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety and security features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system and a complete package of standard driver-assist and collision-avoidance features. However, adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist was not available. The adaptive cruise control needed refinement, as it was slow to recognize lane departures and overly cautious when other vehicles cut in. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included standard advanced driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure assistance, and automatic high beams. However, it did not offer level two autonomous driving technology. The Equinox received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact crash test.