2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that offered practicality and convenience for families. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load children into car seats, even in tight parking spaces. The Odyssey provided a comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers like grandparents or carpool groups without hassle. With ample cargo space, it could transform into a vehicle with the capacity of a Chevrolet Suburban by folding down or removing seats. Despite its classic minivan design, the Odyssey had a touch of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. The interior featured quality materials and a user-friendly layout, although the switchgear placement initially seemed haphazard. The expansive windshield and small front quarter windows enhanced visibility, making it a practical choice for those who valued functionality over image.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, particularly in the Limited trim with the S Appearance Package, offered a sleek and modern look with body-colored door handles, gloss black accents, and 18-inch wheels. The split grille and LED headlamps added to its appeal. While minivans lacked the cool factor of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid was a practical choice with its sliding doors and generous cargo space. The interior, though dark in the Limited trim, featured handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. The HVAC and audio knobs were user-friendly, though their proximity to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with a spacious third row accessible through a center pathway. However, taller passengers might have preferred the extra legroom found in competitors like the Honda Odyssey.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was a front-wheel-drive minivan with a 10-speed automatic transmission featuring pushbutton controls on the dashboard. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain, resulting in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. While its brakes exhibited pedal vibration and audible grumble during repeated use on downhill grades, the Odyssey remained quick and responsive, providing an enjoyable driving experience.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, making it the only plug-in hybrid minivan available. It offered an EPA-rated 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy. In testing, it exceeded these estimates, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. The Pacifica Hybrid's electric power delivery defaulted to all-electric mode first, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. It was front-wheel drive only, with 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, providing sufficient power for highway passing. The continuously variable automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the vehicle's handling was improved by the battery's placement in the floor.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with various compartments for stashing items. The second-row seats provided ample legroom and could be configured for different needs, including the Magic Slide feature for easier access to the third row. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat expanded cargo capacity to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats created a massive 144.9 cubic feet of space.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor rear passengers. The interior included heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and comfortable seating throughout. The second-row seats were a bit low for taller passengers, but the center pathway provided easy access to the spacious third row. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space measured 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the plug-in hybrid model lacked the Stow 'n Go seats and built-in vacuum cleaner available in the standard Pacifica.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with a range of technology features, though its infotainment system was becoming outdated compared to rivals. Starting with the EX trim, it offered an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. The Odyssey Touring and Elite included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, allowing the driver to monitor rear passengers and communicate with them. The rear-seat entertainment system featured a 10.2-inch display, but it was considered behind the times. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its user-friendly interface and crisp graphics. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, offering games and streaming content from Amazon Fire TV. The Pacifica Hybrid featured numerous USB ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged throughout the journey.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety features lacked refinement, occasionally issuing invalid warnings or responding too sharply. The Odyssey received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a range of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking assist, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided both visual and audible alerts. The adaptive cruise control system was praised for its smooth operation. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 version received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks in most categories, with some areas receiving Marginal or Average grades.