2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan label, offered a practical and efficient solution for families. It might not have been the most stylish vehicle, even with the S Appearance Package, but it provided unique features like sliding side doors, which made loading children in tight parking spaces a breeze. The Pacifica Hybrid was a rare plug-in hybrid minivan, offering an electric-only driving range, which was a significant advantage for short-distance travel. However, its rounded, flowing design appeared somewhat dated compared to more modern, architectural styles.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe had a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's recent models. It was an attractive SUV, but it didn't stand out as much as other vehicles in the brand's lineup. The Santa Fe continued with the same look and feel as the 2022 model, offering a range of trims from SE to Calligraphy. Our test vehicle, a top-of-the-line Calligraphy AWD, featured a rich Stormy Sea paint and a black-on-black interior. The Santa Fe's design included distinctive elements like wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, but overall, it maintained a more subdued appearance.

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 electric drive system's torque was immediately available, making the Pacifica feel adequately powered even when fully loaded. It could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, which was sufficient for daily commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, contributing to an impressive average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg during our test drive. However, the Pacifica Hybrid's driving experience was somewhat dull, with light steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and a lack of cornering grip.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided brisk acceleration and immediate passing power. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering. The turbocharged version could tow up to 3,500 pounds, making it a versatile choice for various driving needs. While the Santa Fe's performance wasn't on par with luxury SUVs, it offered a competitive ride, handling, and smoothness for its price point.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The interior featured quality leather upholstery, triple-zone automatic climate control, and various storage solutions. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, but they didn't collapse into the floor, requiring removal for maximum cargo space. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered generous rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding down the second row increased the cargo capacity to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's interior featured comfortable seats, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate. Higher trims included additional comfort features like ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the wide center console slightly reduced driver leg and hip space.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came equipped 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 features like FamCam, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. However, the voice recognition technology had some limitations, and the sound quality required adjustments for optimal performance.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, offering a standard 4.2-inch color LCD display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. The infotainment system included an 8-inch display in the base trim and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation in higher trims. The system supported wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the Limited and Calligraphy trims. While the voice recognition system had mixed results, the overall infotainment experience was user-friendly and customizable.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system, 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 when other vehicles cut in. The Pacifica Hybrid 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 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a wide range of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims featured Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high marks in all crashworthiness tests.