2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan label, offered practical advantages that many three-row midsize crossover SUVs lacked. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load children in tight parking spaces, and its plug-in hybrid drivetrain was unique among mainstream brands. However, its rounded, flowing exterior and interior styling appeared soft and dated compared to the more architectural motifs becoming popular. The Pacifica Hybrid was not a looker, even with the S Appearance Package, and its price tag was steep, starting at $49,095 for the base Touring L trim and reaching $57,680 for a fully loaded Limited trim with options.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E shocked traditionalists by applying Mustang styling cues to a five-door electric crossover SUV. This bold move paid off, as the Mach-E became popular worldwide, with over 150,000 units built since its debut. The Mach-E's design, featuring galloping horse emblems, scowling headlights, and tri-bar taillights, tied it visually to the legendary pony car. The GT trim, in particular, exuded style, quality, and technology, with unique 20-inch wheels, a dark front panel resembling a traditional grille, and a more aggressive look. Inside, the Mach-E GT felt like a luxury car, with artificial leather and synthetic suede seats, a high-end dashboard, and two rectangular display screens.

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 the Pacifica Hybrid to travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery. During testing, the Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. However, the driving experience was dull, with light and uncommunicative steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and a four-wheeled appliance feel.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of power and efficiency options, from 266 to 480 horsepower and 224 to 312 miles of driving range. The Mach-E GT, with its extended-range battery and AWD layout, produced 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The GT Performance Edition package increased torque to 634 lb-ft and reduced the range to 260 miles, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The Mach-E GT featured Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled driving modes, with an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for track use. The driving dynamics were impressive, with good brakes and consistent performance, though the ride quality was firm and choppy.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and up to 140.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The interior featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and ample storage options. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, though they did not collapse into the floor. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the cargo area provided 32.3 cubic feet of space, expandable to 87.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV configuration, provided seating for up to five people and 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk (frunk). The GT trim featured eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, a stylish tiered center console, and a panoramic glass roof. The rear seat was snug but supportive, accommodating up to three kids or two adults. The cargo area offered 29.7 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and the frunk added an additional 4.7 cubic feet of storage.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system allowed for five user profiles and included a FamCam overhead camera system for monitoring rear-seat passengers. However, the voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss, and the Harman Kardon premium sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV was available but not essential if passengers had their own devices.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen running on the Sync 4A infotainment platform, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, and a navigation system. The system learned user habits and provided predictive suggestions, though it lacked a radio tuning knob and a driving mode button. The Bang & Olufsen premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality, and the Mach-E included a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display. The Phone As A Key technology allowed for smartphone-based vehicle access and operation.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive package of standard driver-assist and collision-avoidance features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist. However, the adaptive cruise control needed refinement, as it was slow to recognize lane departures and overly cautious in moderate traffic. 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 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E came with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 technology and the latest BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise 1.2 added lane-change and predictive speed assist functions, though it required constant monitoring and second-guessing. The Mach-E received top marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022, though NHTSA ratings for 2023 were incomplete at the time of review.