2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco captivated enthusiasts with its retro styling and robust off-road capabilities. It offered a wide range of trims, including the new Everglades model, which was designed for swamp trekking with features like an intake snorkel and 35-inch mud-terrain tires. Despite its rugged exterior, the Bronco provided a comfortable and tech-savvy interior, featuring sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and a G.O.A.T. mode dial for various terrains. The Bronco's design was both utilitarian and customizable, with removable fender flares and a modular construction that appealed to its fan base. However, its popularity led to a sold-out status for the 2022 models, leaving many potential buyers waiting.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a more practical approach with its minivan design, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims. The Limited trim, with the S Appearance Package, added stylish black accents and 18-inch wheels. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was sophisticated, featuring Nappa leather seats and a user-friendly dashboard. While the interior was predominantly dark, it provided comfort with heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Pacifica Hybrid excelled in practicality, offering ample cargo space and Chrysler's flat-fold Stow 'n Go seats, although these were not available in the hybrid model due to the battery placement.

The 2022 Ford Bronco was equipped with a base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.7-liter V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's seven-speed manual transmission, available only with the four-cylinder engine, featured a crawl gear for low-speed driving. All models came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case, making them highly capable off-road. The Everglades model, in particular, excelled in challenging terrains, fording water up to 36.4 inches deep. On-road, the Bronco offered a smoother ride than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, with minimal wind noise and excellent highway stability.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. It was the only minivan available as a plug-in hybrid, with an EPA-rated 32 miles of all-electric range and 82 MPGe. In real-world testing, the Pacifica Hybrid exceeded these numbers, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. However, its electric power delivery was limited, defaulting to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid mode. The Pacifica Hybrid was front-wheel drive only and lacked features like all-wheel drive and a towing package, which were available in the non-hybrid model.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its spacious interior, providing ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The two-door model offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door model increased these figures to 35.6 and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including netted door pockets and accessory rails. Its utility was enhanced by external hard mounting points and removable fender flares, making it a versatile choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a family-friendly interior with features like the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The minivan provided comfortable seating, although taller passengers might find the second-row seats a bit low. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space was generous, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the hybrid model lacked the Stow 'n Go seats and built-in vacuum cleaner available in the standard Pacifica. Despite these limitations, the Pacifica Hybrid remained a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, featuring G.O.A.T. modes for various terrains and a forward-looking trail camera for improved visibility. The Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses and sharp graphics, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. The Bronco's technology suite included a Trail Turn Assist feature for sharper turns in tight spaces, making it a well-rounded choice for tech-savvy adventurers.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, offering games and streaming content. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured multiple USB ports, 12-volt outlets, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained powered throughout the journey.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Bronco received mixed safety ratings, with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it "Good" scores in most categories, with an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided both visual and audible alerts, while the adaptive cruise control offered smooth braking and acceleration. Additional features like parallel parking assist required optional packages. The 2022 Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" marks from the IIHS, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.